How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup? | Hacker News Reader

How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

6 pointsmaster5417 comments

"The Unconnected", starring Clint Eastwood as an aging entrepreneur who decides to go for that last startup, just for the money. At first he runs into trouble, with both sherrif paul graham and deputy techcrunch casting a cold glance as he rides into town...

I don't buy this. I've gotten on TechCrunch twice (with related splash on Digg and Del.icio.us), most recently a month ago with http://www.rescuetime.com - which was (at the time) just a series of screenshots and a beta sign up form (i.e. pure vaporware, just about). Neither time did I solicit coverage.

The first time I got on TechCrunch, I was living in Anchorage, Alaska.

The trick is:

1) Build something that is unique (or at least has a twist). No one wants to talk about yet another restaurant review site.

2) Build something controversial (or at least something that is interesting to talk about). I met a guy in Seattle who is trying to build (I kid you not) a social network for car insurance customers...zzzzzzzzzz

3) Talk about what you've built in a clear, compelling, and sticky manner. Try to understand the audience that you're speaking to and communicate it in a way that speaks to THEM. Most hackers suck at this. It requires a combination of information design and copy-writing.

Buy what? I was just feeling humorous... I didn't have a point. I just liked the sound of "The Unconnected" and how it reminded me of the Clint Eastwood movie title "The Unforgiven", which I've never seen.

Good advice in any case!

Did you have to pitch your startup to them? How many tries did it take before Techcrunch feature you?

'... burglar, a spy, a fugitive, a delinquent, a hacker, and a piano teacher ...'

CONDOR IN SNEAKERS: Staring & directed by Robert Redford as Bishop. Who leads a team of smart hackers who first work out the what, "make things people want" then ruthlessly executes the how. All the time, incremently adjusting the what. The focus, just work on making "black box" the best in the world and getting as many customers as possible. At the same time, outsmarting those who seek to take a shortcuts in hard road to startup success.

BISHOP: "Well here we have it gang. We know the deal, build the 'black box', release it early, incremental improvements and build up the customers."

MOTHER: "Come on 'Bishop' that theory has been well and truly debunked. Just last week in my latest edition of Conspiracy Theory, you know the Marketing edition. It says in black and white, 'the only way to get recognised' is a quick word to Crunch and your gold!."

WHISTLER: "Did you mean 'Capitan Crunch'? Did you know Crunch did prototype work for Apple ][ telephony hardware, but Jobs got it canned."

BISHOP: "No he means the 'Silicon Alley' of the Noughties. TechCrunch is a waste of time. Look these guys can't even scale their website, they don't listen to their customers. When the advertising falls they are history."

MOTHER: "You mean I've been reading this Marketing edition and it's not true? But they have influence right? Just one email to the editor, then BAMMM. Instant recognition. I simply don't believe you."

CREASE; "It wasn't Jobs, 'Whistler'. It was Gates. Don't worry we settled that one siphoning off his fortune to charity and planting logic bombs in Windows Vista. You don't think he's quiting Microsoft for the love of giving money away do you?"

BISHOP: "Crease enough pranks. Carl hows the new features going? Whistler whats the growth rate this week? Mother come, lets have a quick chat on your sources of information"

Some quick refs ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneakers_(movie)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000s

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Days_of_the_Condor

Why do you care about buzz? If you build it, they will come.

Once it's built, it's not 'buzz', it's marketing. Hire suits for that.

You can try to get on TechCrunch:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1331688095520243666&hl=en

Good luck though, if you're not being referred from someone "in the know" you probably wont get covered. But never hurts to try.

You could try calling up Michael Arrington and crying on the phone. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/22/silicon-valley-could-use-a-downturn-right-about-now/

Have a co-founder who is as passionate about communicating ideas to people as you are about hacking code.

I know a fair amount of people in the valley if you need to meet anyone, okdork.com

It seems that the ones getting the most buzz are those who are the best connected, even if your product is better than theirs. In this case, what is the best way to strike back?

(assuming trying to network yourself into his level is futile)

I've set up this blog for this purpose:

http://web2loop.blogspot.com/

i don't see how that would help you get buzz. maybe a sneeze but definitely no buzz

The blog isn't about launches, but rather updates. Moreover, any reasonable submission would be accepted.

So it gives you a way to promote your startup every week provided that you have some update to announce every week.

Many little sneezes could turn into buzz.

You could let people know about your product/service here. The community here is quite helpful and honest. http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=20342

Find one well-connected customer who cares a lot about the way your product is better.

Not to split hairs here, but I don't think networking to that level is at all futile. Your competitors are doing it, and you want every advantage you can get.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com