The Startup Legitimizer

Edits: context.

Fake it until you make it, as they say. However, this is dishonest (if it isn't a joke).

BUT... On the flip side, my anecdotal evidence suggests that naughty founders are statistically more successful. I think PG has some anecdotes to support this as well. Successful founders I know personally, without naming names, have: spammed inboxes, started automated 'conversations' with business owners as part of a pre-sales-filter, deceived potential employees about outcomes, fired the whole team to save money and pivot when there was still a crap-ton of money in the bank, and generally been willing to sell concepts to investors that are total crap. Then there are the well-known stories, like AirBnB fishing Craigslist for homeowners and renters. All shady, grey-hat, probably unethical to lots of people.

There is a low-bar of naughtiness that, if you're not willing to exceed, will limit your ability to be successful... anecdotally speaking.

This is not building trust, actually the opposite. This is what fakers would do.

Some time ago I build a startup that required good looking people and even kids in all ages to provide me with their email, several photo's, their location and their (cell)phone number, which enough people did for me to boast about nation-wide coverage in the Netherlands.

If you really want people to give you their details you're going to have to show you're for real. At the very least you should show who is running the show and how a user could connect with you. Email is fine, a likedin profile with a ton of linked people and recommendations is even better and a phone number and address also build trust. Because people see they could phone you up will stop most of them from actually doing so.

Another thing I spend a ton of time on to build trust is the FAQ. Think about what your users worry about and make those worries the top 10 questions. If you have a few bucks make sure your legal stuff is legit as well. I negotiated with a well know IT lawyer and was able to provide me and my users good legal protection. Also blog about everything.

The funny thing is I could use something like this. We've been covered in Fortune and, if their logo was here, I would legitimately use this service ;).

This is funny. The only thing I could suggest is that they use a subtle textured background pattern to make it even more startupy.

I love it.

It is a complete and utter mockery, yet it provides real value to the the users it is mocking.

Clever, although I'm not sure why NYMag and Fast Co. are more legit than CNN and Wired.

Seems legit.