Not necessarily. You have to weigh your available time and money. If you have more time, identify key influencers and build a relationship with them. If you have more money, then hire a PR firm who will do this in a way, but will really rent a lot of attention in the industry. Once you stop paying, their work will also stop and you will see an ever-increasing decline in the effectiveness that you once had. Whereas, with a solid relationship with an influencer, your effectiveness increases. I'm happy to discuss more, if you'd like to book a call. All the best, -Shaun

Hi there, I have several connections within multiple publications around the world (North America / Europe). I believe that if we have a chat about your concept, I will be able to guide you to the right people. Let me know if I can be of service to you!

I do what's called a simple "reverse journalist lookup". Step 1: Identify your "sister company". This is what I call a company that is very similar to you but not a direct competitor. Make sure you are different from your sister company. For example You may offer an on-demand snowplowing service (Uber for snow removal), your sister company would be Uber. Make sure your sister company is fairly well known and written about in the media. Step 2: Go to Google News. Since Google News focused on just news it will only show you results from news outlets. Search for "Uber" (your sister company) Step 3: All the results you see are journalists who understand your industry because they have written about Uber. Presumably they understand the "on-demand economy" too. No need to explain to them what you do. Step 4: Using Google Sheets simply research each relevant journalist (name, publication, relevant link to the article you used to find them, email and twitter handle). Try to build a nice targeted list of 20-50 contacts. Takes time but worth it. Try using different terms in Google news, several indirect competitors, etc. There are several tools, hacks, and services out there that will help you build targeted email lists. I can teach you how to do it yourself for free. Also your pitch is really important. Happy to chat/help.

Hello, Congrats on launching your venture. First things first, what is your website about, and why should those different bloggers and journalists care? If you can answer this question (your elevator pitch), then you'll be off to a good start. Secondly, you'll need to determine to whom you want to speak with and develop genuine relationships. Find out what the bloggers and journalists write about, what they like in life, what platforms they use, and more. Then start a genuine conversation so that you build up a rapport that way when you do email them to talk about your website, they'll be more receptive. From here you will learn more about the type of content they produce and if your product will be an organic fit for their readers. (Their contact information will also be somewhere online, and you'll also get a better sense of how you should write your pitch email.) Start with a small list of bloggers and journalists and then build up over time. Thirdly -- what makes your website "newsworthy"? You can suggest this angle, but as you know, they're by no means obligated to covering your brand because it just launched. So again, make sure you understand WHY they should care -- and be able to articulate this reason concisely. Furthermore, cold-calling is a no-no. Think about in your personal life. Most of us won't respond to emails or calls from people we don't know. And if there's attachments involved -- no way, we're downloading anything -- it could be SPAM or a virus. Journalists and bloggers are very busy, and they are often working through hundreds of "requests for coverage" that come seemingly out of nowhere. Make their lives easier. Make your brand make sense for them. Make your message (and visuals) heartfelt. But most of all, be genuine. Since it's your website, I'm assuming you're passionate about the topic -- convey this through your messaging! Hope this was helpful to you. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have here.

Couldn't you use both the Facebook and Game Center APIs and combine the results? You could either combine the results behind the scenes into one leaderboard with subsections, or have two separate leaderboards displayed, one with Facebook friends, and one with global. To keep people coming back to your game, there are many other easy things you can add in addition to leaderboards. If you want to discuss those options send me a message. Glad to help, Lee

Having an online portfolio is important but even more important is that you have reviews. You can put them directly on your portfolio site and they will act as 'social proof' enabling you to convert more jobs. Since you say that you've worked with computer graphic for years I assume you've done some work for clients. I bet in your e-mail you have these reviews just sitting there hiding from past clients or even associates or friends who have complimented your work. Publish them out there for prospect to see. My portfolio is pretty weak relatively I think but more than anything when I link people to my reviews on codeable or my linkedin profile they instantly trust me and pull out their wallet :) Outside of that another tip would be to specialize. There are lots of Graphic Artists out there you need to specialize and differentiate yourself. There are many really talents Graphic Artists out there who are successful without having a degree so don't let that hold you back. Hope that helps. Cheers - Raleigh

Team is more important than the startup itself. Investors prefer invest in the Jockey over the Horse. There may be n number of reasons for not getting through the funding rounds. If your startup is able to provide 10x return I can invest straight away. However, I will look at the team first and foremost and then I will look at the management skills and then I will come to other metrics like traction and scalability.

From a web presence / marketing perspective, it'll take you a while to be a true competitor. That's not to say that you can't make some strong headway, just don't think that you'll get top search engine rankings for the most highly competitive phrases within the first year or two. However, with the right online marketing campaign and a strong budget you can make a lot of good headway. You can outsmart your competition and make progress in areas that they are not focused to work your way into becoming a player.

No-Skill-Guitar: Get a [guitar (Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar)] + [chord buddy (chordbuddy.com)] + [electronic tuner (Intelli IMT500)]. Any time you hear a good song, look up the chords for free on ultimate-guitar.com, save the page as a .pdf, and you'll be able to play the song right away on the guitar with the chordbuddy, even if you don't know how to play the guitar. You'll bond over sing alongs, and you'll be learning how to play the guitar at the same time with the help of the chordbuddy. Hacky sack Local Multiplayer Games (everyone plays on the same computer): Get a couple wireless controllers (Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows), and download these local multiplayer games from Steam: 1) Speed Runners (http://store.steampowered.com/app/207140/) 2) Starwhal (http://store.steampowered.com/app/263020/) 3) Duck Game (http://store.steampowered.com/app/312530/) 4) Nidhogg (http://store.steampowered.com/app/94400/) Naptime: Get an ENO hammock for people to nap in. It's healthier and easier to sleep in than a real bed, and can be stowed away. They'll be able to work later. Have fun

There are two steps. First, plot the addresses of the stores that carry your product (https://www.mapcustomizer.com/) Second, find optometrists near there (Yelp, Google, LinkedIn Advanced Search) In all honesty, it probably took you longer to write the question than it would to find what you're looking for. :) I'm happy to help more, book a call and we can get your rocking. All the best, -Shaun

It does violate the TOS for most social sites and PPC advertisers. Additionally, you're not doing your end customers any favors because you are selling them access to crap contacts who are not necessarily interested in their product. Don't do it. Build your own targeted list of 1000 legitimately. -Shaun

Hey there! This doesn't seem to meet the definition of a partnership, especially if all of the funding is coming from you. You certainly want to demonstrate that you value his expertise and contributions but it really sounds like you are bringing your first employee (if you are based in the U.S. learn more about how the IRS designated independent contractors from employees here http://bit.ly/IRScontractorvsemployee). Without having many other details, my suggestion is that you connect with your local economic development council or workforce council to prepare yourself for becoming an employer. Your discussions will change from percentage to salary. You might also consider developing an operating agreement for commission-based compensation on any sales that he brings in. I really hope this helps!

Hi there, I understand what you are looking for and I believe I have the right connections to assist you. I however, would like to talk to you in private about this. I have many connections around the globe in VC Firms that always look to acquire new assets such as yours. Please message me on here with some details so I can assist you! Kind Regards, Giuliano

First thing you should do is talk to a patent lawyer. Specially your employers lawyer. There is something called "trade secrets" that are consider all the knowledge that you are getting and applying. This secrets could be used by the company to sue you later on. Be very careful before you start. Get consent (written) from them with everything you will be using for your project. **Im not a lawyer and this is not legal advise. But you should definitely try to get some specially if the success is based on IP & patents

I have provided digital marketing and e-commerce advice to clients here in the US as well as Dubai and South Asia. My understanding of your challenge is creating a social network that would rival LinkedIN on a more local level. The solution to a successful network is always an engaged user base, and the path to such a base is solving a problem. What particular needs do you think prevailing networks are not meeting? If you'd like to get on a call, I'll help you set up some information gathering mechanisms, then we can talk about team formation strategies and user base growth. Look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Arjun.

Really depends on how many rounds of funding you think you'll need. Most startup founders have their equity diluted anywhere from 15%-33% after 2-3 rounds of funding. If he is a key partner, then 25% is fair and a better deal for you. VCs hate preferred shares being issued because it just complicates the math and flexibility in the future.

I've been helping companies market to Spanish speakers for over 5 years. As with most questions that stretch across borders and cultures, the answer is, "it depends". Here are some of the factors at play: 1) US Hispanics are over 80% of Mexican descent, meaning that as a general practice, your marketing can be similar 2) But their situations are very different. In the US (according to census data), Hispanics trend lower income. But for products that have a US price point, you are going to have to appeal to wealthier Mexicans (for example). 3) Depending on your product/service, you may have to adapt pricing/messaging to fit cultural norms, or what people can afford. 4) Other issues: if you are a content company that sells advertising, you may want to EXCLUDE people from LATAM, as many advertisers are only trying to sell in the US. Obviously to give good advice I would need more context. Feel free to set up a call with me (I donate all proceeds to charity), and I'll be glad to talk through this with you.

Unless you need to be incorporated to complete trial sales, market fit testing...don't do it. Wait until you can afford the couple thousand dollars it will cost you and or until you get an investor if you will go for one. a C corporation is most likely your best bet. Fairly is all on perspective. The original ideator shouldn't leverage that fact to get more. Equity should be based on time involved, possibility of the individual leaving, value added in the long term picture... once you get employees how critical will this position be? how critical is that value now? Whatever way you split, leave about 10-30% open for future partners or investors or negotiations of any kind.

Best to talk with your Tax Preparer about this. I suggest H&R Block Executive Tax Services. They're highly competent. If you're a US Citizen you're taxed on 100% of your global income anyway. If you haven't been paying tax on 100% of your income, your best action is to immediately work with your Tax Preparer + file tax amendments for last three years, declaring your income + paying back taxes + penalties incurred. If more than three years apply, then ask your Tax Preparer how to handle this. Rule of thumb: Trying to evade taxes is a serious matter these days. If amounts are large enough, you can fall under RICO (money laundering laws). You don't want this. Start as a Sole Proprietorship + talk with your Tax Preparer about your specific situation to determine if another entity might be useful (Corporation). If you're making a truck load of cash, read up on Transfer Pricing + consider having your income for this enterprise flow into an IDC in a non-US jurisdiction.

Hi there, Your best bet would be to look for a pre-made source code and just edit out what you want to add in/remove. From my experience it is far easier doing this than paying a developer to make one from scratch -- if you're on a low budget. Also as far as I am concerned there is not a single CMS which has a native IOS app specifically for what you want to do, however I could be wrong. Check out markets such as Chupamobile and CodeCanyon and see if they offer anything that you are looking for. If you need any help regarding the business plan/monetization, let me know, I am here to help :). Kind regards, Giuliano

The core challenge with all marketplace businesses is that you must develop both sides of the market simultaneously. I've been through this with several of our own brands (Fundable, Clarity) - and while they presented additional unique challenges - the core is brining both the supply and demand side of the market to the table at the same time, with the appropriate ratios to create a thriving commerce environment. I'm happy to talk through our experiences, and those of countless clients who faced similar obstacles in starting their businesses. Kind regards, Ryan

Are you asking about the technical aspects that make this platform function? Or are you asking what successes users have experienced? I am not in a position to address the first one, I don't know the exact pieces that come together to provide the function of the platform (aside from a robust forum and a call scheduling element). I can speak the to success I have seen here. There are a number of experts who 1) recognize that there are users who need help, but may not be able to afford our rate, 2) understand that providing value here will result in an increase in their own business, 3) genuinely like helping others Those of us who have seen success identify with all three points. We want to help people, we understand not everyone can afford our regular consulting rate, and we know that the more we give here - the more likely we are to book business. Personally, Clarity has been one of the Top 3 leading revenue generators for my business in 2015. I am commited to adding more value and advice in 2016 -- for all three of the points I listed above. Truth be told, we are all experts. Some of us have embraced the title and put ourselves out there to further our impact. Anyone reading this has the ability to contribute and share insights that are unknown to others. Happy sharing, -Shaun

ughh this is a big hairy question for many businesses and from past experience consulting, it's going entirely succeed/fail based on your specific business & it's existing operational behavior / employees comfort level in adopting new tools. Integrating across existing software/tools is always the problem here, and is almost what kills every effort in improving one's business systems(sales/biz-dev optimization in your case); There's so many team/project management services online it'd be pointless to list without knowing more about your existing systems & business size/stage with employees. HOWEVER, to end on your point of 'value for the business' as opposed to the bias raw REVENUE creation being attributed to each employee: sounds like you want/need a simplified way of logging events in which are abstract in value but could at the end of say each week/month be reviewed/curated/compiled into understanding metrics/tags/categories for a manager/CEO to review within each department/employee/manager... quantification is what really hurts this as all businesses are complex in their own specific value offer/delivery, so all I can think of to end on is: let each level of management comment/tag/note their own interpretation of the 'quantified or tagged' value be it $10, 10k, or satisified customer, repeat buyer, new bizness market identified, marketing opportunity identified, social media result(hearts, likes, retweets, etc); Hope that helps

depends on the market, so it's IMPOSSIBLE to advise the correct approach/choice in this question. However, I'd lean towards a desktop/web app for anything that is trying to accomplish 'platform' level mechanics.... most noobs will use the term platform and app interchangeably but there is a huge difference: platforms are designed for OTHER COMPANIES/brands/power-users to BUILD FUNCTIONALITY on top of/extend the use for their specific purposes... TWITTER is a platform. "an app to buy/sell stuff in X new way or Y speciality or Z local/geographic market" is just an app that is trying to say it's cool by calling itself a platform because there's type major types of uses & 'transactions' involved.... a CHATROOM is an app... TWITTER is a platform. Hope that helps.