Fellow start-up entrepreneurs, let us shout it right now, “FU*K!” Now, a few deep breaths, a few more. OK. Nah, we’re not gonna start drinking yet, we’re gonna reflect & do some thinking. In this post, I just want to talk a little bit about being an entrepreneur, social media, a few people involved in social media and, how it can help your business begin to grow in an organic & amazingly dynamic way.
For starters, here’s the wikipedia entry for entrepreneur: “An entrepreneur is a person who has possession over a new enterprise or venture and assumes full accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome.”
The sticky message for me is “full accountability.” Basically, it is up to you and no one else to make your business successful (period) How bad do you want it?
Entrepreneurs are much like musicians, we are extremely passionate about what we do, and we want everyone to love our “music.” We have a natural tendency to create a product or service, then kinda reach out to everyone (on the freakin’ planet) and ask what they think, “will you join?”, will you try it?”. Now, I am not saying this won’t work, but it just doesn’t freakin work unless you are already known and or respected by the “right” people. So, stop right now! Quit asking people what they think about your damn web app, social networking site, widget, etc. etc. etc.
Let’s get started on your social media agenda and let’s get your BILLION dollar idea off the ground and into some kick ass blogs, and publications like Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., Wired etc.
A little housekeeping real quick:
Can you explain your business in 10 words?
Why did you start this business? You must be able to spit this out like a sunflower seed!
What do you expect to happen with this business? Spit the seed!
Now let’s get your “SM” on!!(if you have done most of these, you NEED to at least check out he “resources!” provided. They will make all your dreams come true!
1. Don’t ask people to “help” you unless they already know, like, & trust you
2. Set up a Facebook account (resource!) http://tinyurl.com/26okdx
3. Create a wordpress.com blog (and start blogging, at least (3) times per week)
4. Get a Twitter.com account (resource!) http://www.lostartofblogging.com/twitter-guide
5. Get involved with other peoples blogs. (must be genuinely interested in their content, read their posts, think, and post comments) *don’t be full of shit!
6. Set up Google reader and read like a mofo!
7. Set up a YouTube account…have fun with it (resource!) http://tinyurl.com/yqdhtf
8. Set up a Flickr account, people want to see you…just do it!
9. Link back to your site, but do not promote yourself, just be present, be a student, and ask questions from the people you want to be like and just be yourself.
10. Drop the EGO right here, right now! Who doesn’t want to be a successful billionaire?! Don’t get all sad and down when others don’t “want to be your friend” or like your business. If your business is well thought out, unique, viable etc. people will be interested.
11. Just stay true to who you are and what you are doing. Get ready to make some changes with your biz because you will be learning from people who have made mistakes for you. Now, these people are in a position to help, and they will help you once they like, know, & trust you! It’s all good…just kick ass!
Since you are brand new let’s stop right here baby! If you start off doing these things you WILL connect with people & you WILL have people ask about your business and you WILL start to build a network of people who care about you because you CARED about them.
I highly recommend you subscribe to these ass kickin guru’s
http://www.blonde2dot0.com/blog/
http://gregverdino.typepad.com/greg_verdinos_blog/
Ps. If you have a start up & you just want some honest feedback about your “thing” hit me up, I will check it out and give you honest feedback.
Email me at: Aronado@bitchybetty.Org
Skype:Aronado
Twitter: Aronado
7 responses so far ↓
Col @ gigablonde :: things to do in ny when you're [alive] // May 21, 2008 at 4:18 pm
ARONADO!!! I love this! I love how you write, I love your ideas, I love love love it! Genuine … real … down to earth … excellent info … great insights … YAAY YOU!!!
Oh, it’s your fb friend Col here
Greg Verdino // May 27, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Fantastic post, Aronado. Your points are right on the money and I love your 11 social media must-do’s. Every entrepreneur should be thinking about ways to participate in this space – it pays off in spades.
Greg “Kick Ass” Verdino
Jason Bogovich // June 19, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You speak the truth, great pointers. I could add, don’t even start unless you are prepared for the worst and willing to work harder than you’ve ever worked before, & be willing to hang outside your comfort zone. Also, if you’re not sure your plan will work, you need to adjust it because investors surely won’t be sure.
Jeff Weisbein // June 19, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I found this post via Chris Brogan’s latest twitter and I’m glad I clicked the link.. Excellent article! It not only helped me (as I’m sure it did for others) but re-enforced ideas and concepts that are vital for success. As someone who is young (18 years old) and working on a start-up of my own I appreciate this post tremendously – seriously thinking of printing it out and pinning it by my desk for reference later on.
Jeff Weisbein
suzemuse // June 19, 2008 at 6:56 pm
thanks Aronado! This is exactly the kick in the ass I needed today.
mikepk // June 19, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Great post. In the past couple of months or so I’ve come to some similar conclusions. As an entrepreneur, especially a technical one coming at it from an engineering, coding, general nerdery angle, I fell into the trap of thinking the business is about “the thing” in and of itself (like the music you talk about). The truth is that a large proportion of the current start up environment (and maybe this is always true) is really about marketing, and only about the product and technology in a general way. I think the lesson we have to learn as tech entrepreneurs is that marketing and PR are not inherently evil, and if approached in the way you suggest (real connections that add value) can add to the whole in not only meaningful ways, but promote your own endeavors at the same time.
Ben Kunz // June 19, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Sweet post. The “spit it out like a sunflower seed” is brilliant, and many established companies have a hard time expressing their value or ideas this way.
In fact your recommendations on not being selfish, putting ego aside, listening and connecting would do big products and brands some good, too.