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The startup community can feel pretty insular – all the dot coms and the app makers and the right-out-of-college-prodigies. But there are actually a lot of great ways to engage the startup community that don’t cost a lot of money (don’t tell SXSW.)
Having a voice in the startup community doesn’t necessarily mean being backed by a major VC or entering the conversation with the Bill Gates stamp of approval. Here are a few smart ways to join the dialogue among startups without breaking the bank.
USE Social to Your Advantage
Social media is so much more than connecting with potential customers. Many businesses, particularly fledgling ones, focus more on how to use social as a marketing tool when they should also be considering how social can impact their networking efforts. Startups today are more connected on social than ever before, and your next industry mentor or partner could just be a Facebook message away. Reach out. Follow up. See what happens…you may be surprised.
ASK to Give Away Your Information Capital
Why not? Few companies, particularly startups, will turn down the opportunity for a free lunch or a free industry speaker, particularly when it could be useful for their business. Approach these meetings like a salesperson and don’t be too good to cold call. Have a short, succinct engaging presentation on the ready that encourages conversation. You might be shocked how many connections you can make just by sticking your neck out.
GET Your Customers to Talk for You
Sure you’re a startup but you have customers, right? The people behind you now are likely some of the most brand loyal you’ll ever have and they’re bound to be interested in other startups, too. Ask some of your most connected customers to be “brand ambassadors” or simply to mention your startup if the opportunity presents itself. Once your business name starts being batted around the startup community organically you can bet the phone will ring.
REACH Out to Media
You may be surprised how many media outlets (think: Entrepreneur magazine, Inc. Blog, etc.) love to hear from promising startups. Offer to do an interview, give a quote, or even write an entire blog post, but don’t be promotional. No one wants to sell your product for you but if you have something valuable to offer whether it’s opinions or insight you may get some free press. Press other startups will see.
SHOW Up With Donuts
Seriously. It may sound absurdly old-school, but startups are usually run by people, in an office (or a garage) and most people like donuts. Make it a point to personally shake hands with as many entrepreneurs as you can in your area and if you can swing it, plan a trip to another city with a high concentration of industry contacts. Casual is best in the startup atmosphere. Bring cards and a smile, and don’t forget the donuts.
The startup community isn’t as cliquish as it may appear from the surface, but it takes a little elbowing to be seen. Don’t be afraid to put yourself or your company out there – asking for what you want in the startup world is the only way you’re going to get it.
Ryan is a product manager at BizShark.com, with 5 years experience in online marketing and product development. In addition to web related businesses, he also enjoys the latest news and information on emerging technologies and open source projects.
