Wise Startup Blog - Latest Comments in General

Re: How Steve Jobs Achieves Masterpieces at Apple: MobileMe Memo

andrewwise — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:55:05 -0000

Im planning to cancely mobileme at the end if September. And
interestingly, the iPhone does not have mobileme in the dictionary so
that's probably just endemic of the entire disconnect on this product.

Re: How Steve Jobs Achieves Masterpieces at Apple: MobileMe Memo

Partners in Grime — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:38:17 -0000

Sounds like MobileMe is going to get better soon!

Re: Why is iMeem Killing Rhapsody, Napster, & eMusic in Traffic?

andrewwise — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:52:11 -0000

Anne,

Good point. It's really amazing to see that innovation trumps all.
Even with these huge marketing budgets, consumers won't budge, but as
soon as you give consumers something new, innovative and that they
actually want ..and they flock to it.

My question is, why didn't Rhapsody spend that $50 million on
acquiring iMeem instead of on a marketing budget? Or perhaps pick up
any of these other startups starting to generate a ton of interest
from consumers?

Re: Why is iMeem Killing Rhapsody, Napster, & eMusic in Traffic?

andrewwise — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:51:07 -0000

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Re: Why is iMeem Killing Rhapsody, Napster, & eMusic in Traffic?

Anne Mac — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:46:31 -0000

imeem is basicly giving users what they want, they're youtube for music.

also little known is that many of imeem's engineers came from the original napster, it looks like roxio would have been better buying more than just the Napster name.

Re: I’m in Florida Trend Magazine !

Smith — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:36:23 -0000

Its a very appreciating approach you have adopted, I was in search of other such companies.

Smith
Florida Treatment Centers

Re: Starting a Small Business? 3 Best Free Project Management Solutions for Startups

Sal — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:40:14 -0000

You can even check out DeskAway - a project collaboration app that is positioned between the simple pm tools and complex per user per month pm software. DeskAway helps to eliminate guesswork when teams are managing multiple projects. Cool features include 'automatic email reminders', 'project templates' and 'reporting & analytics'. Very easy to use.

Re: How the RIAA YouTube Suit Wins John McCain the White House

andrewwise — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:25:08 -0000

Paul,

While I definitely agree with you, I think the McCain campaign clearly
has to do something to take a stand on, and with this being a rather
trivial issue as far as his legal status goes, I think it's definitely
an opportunity for him to pick on easy prey.

The same way the populous loves sex, and with the Clinton sex scandal
the public was swept up without a care in the world about Bosnia, etc.
we're also in dire financial straits.

What the public needs is a distraction, and besides sex scandals,
music is a great distraction for the public.

Re: How the RIAA YouTube Suit Wins John McCain the White House

Paul Robinson — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:20:10 -0000

This won't be what you think it is: nobody gives a rats about this stuff in the general population - all this will do to his core vote is make them think he's a criminal of some sort, and it certainly won't become a campaign point.

It might highlight the absurdity of the figures, but this will be played down and brushed out of existence quite quickly I think.

Re: iPhone 3G Killer? Not on AT&T? Best iPhone Killer on T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon

andrewwise — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:04:06 -0000

The Bold is amazing -- and even the Thunder is pretty sweet as well,
very excited about Blackberry's upcoming lineup!

Re: iPhone 3G Killer? Not on AT&T? Best iPhone Killer on T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon

rob — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:59:51 -0000

Check out the Blackberry Bold - superb screen, full qwerty, 3g and a real step up from the boys @ RIM. Had a play with one (not out in UK yet) and it looked and felt really good. Available on most of our networks,

Re: Where to Begin Your Startup Advertising Campaign

andrewwise — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:00:12 -0000

Lisa,

Thanks for the thorough response -- definitely agree with you that
entrepreneurs need to learn the tipping point where it comes from
their natural ability to do something and when they should hire an
expert. It's difficult to hand over control when you're starting off
early and sometimes confusing as to when the appropriate time to make
the decision to bring in the experts, but I think with people like
yourself, you just "know" something's the right fit.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Re: Where to Begin Your Startup Advertising Campaign

Lisa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:19:48 -0000

P.S. - I work very closely with all my clients even if it means via phone, IMing, e-mail or personal meetings.

Some hire Vertical Insight for specific marketing tasks/projects, some hire VI solely for Integrated Marketing Plan development and others hire VI for both. It's all about what makes a small business owner comfortable and not feel overly committed.

It would be great to re-train entrpreneurs to understand that while they can do it all, they can do even more than they expect with just a little bit of help. It is essential to find a Marketing Firm who is both affordable, who truly listens to the needs of the client and who can and does fulfill the needs of the client.

Re: Where to Begin Your Startup Advertising Campaign

Lisa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:04:38 -0000

Hey there, sorry for the delay in response. I expected to receive an e-mail alert when replies were posted. Silly me!

So you said, "Lisa, at what point should a startup looking to hire on an advertising firm?" I suggest that a startup company should hire someone to research and develop and Integrated Marketing Plan at minimum before they "open their doors." (Although, whenever they feel comfortable doing so is fine. It just may not be conucive to think about it later rather than sooner).

A strategy that is clear and concise with a detailed budget and implementation schedule is very helpful (especially for those entrpreneurs who want to execute advertising on their own).

I definitely don't think that a "budget [of] $5k for 3 months" is too low. I currently do quite a bit of business in a rural area where advertising budgets are extremely minimal. This is also why an IMP can be so beneficial...it is created with some very important factors in mind (if it's done correctly by a professional):
1) The target market
2) The client's budget
3) The advertising/promotion methods that are effective specifically for the client's business
4) And actually reaching the target audience

This way the sales techniques implemented by the business owner & staff is where they can focus their energy to close the deals. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions at all. I'd hate to not follow up appropriately on here again. I'm at info@verticalinsight.net.

Have a great afternoon everyone! :)

Re: First Step in Starting Your Business: Incorporate Your LLC Early & Often

WilmCory — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:11:21 -0000

Just wanted to add that if you need help with a filing like forming an LLC, you might try The Company Corporation. I’ve used them in the past. Prices are reasonable, and I liked having someone else do the work. www.incorporate.com. Hope this helps.

Re: How to Find Great Startup Ideas

andrewwise — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:02:07 -0000

Roger, that's definitely true, and I think another major proponent for
success is the team and the people you have working with you. If your
idea isn't the best, the team can always find a way to pull through
and put things together.

Re: How to Find Great Startup Ideas

ryangraves — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:49:43 -0000

Thanks Roger! I think it is definitely important to remember the value is tops. A market only has to be valuable, not huge or even sexy, just valuable.
Cheers.

Re: How to Find Great Startup Ideas

techwinter — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:51:21 -0000

@Andrew didn't read the article yet but wanted to say this, Google wasn't entering a market that was huge when they started out. So I think its more accurate to say understand your market, be razor sharp in your focus and execute. Lastly you must have a long-term objective. Google had all those things and it just so happens that their market grew exponentially in the process due to their impact on their audience.

@ryan I totally agree, market value not market size. A friend of mine worked as a marketeer for a company that sold 2-3 installations of asset management software a year but each sale was worth over £100,000 plus long-term support agreements, easily a niche that as you said could grow and prosper if you were comfortable being small and focused.

Re: How to Find Great Startup Ideas

andrewwise — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:22:09 -0000

Ryan,

Definitely agree, I think I'm just trying to make the message that
people shouldn't look at a small market and see the next Google or
Youtube, and then be disappointed that they won't reach that point.
There are very few Googles and people should aim to be content with
living with that reality they most likely will never create another
company like Google.

Thanks for reading!

Re: How to Find Great Startup Ideas

ryangraves — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:15:56 -0000

I have to disagree with "The main thing you should concentrate on is the market-size. " I think what is more important is market dynamic or market demographic. My market can be made up of 5 entities but if they all give me 10 million per year for my product I think I could make some money. I'll sum it up this way, its not the size of the boat its the motion of the ocean. Ha, hope that helps.
Solid post Andrew.

Re: Wise Startup Blog Giveaway: Free Grooveshark $5 Gift Cards

Justin - YGG — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:31:22 -0000

Got it up and running, thanks!

Re: Wise Startup Blog Giveaway: Free Grooveshark $5 Gift Cards

andrewwise — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:28:04 -0000

Yup, just take the key and add it under the "my account" page. They
may be used by now, but leave a message in the comments if you do lose
a key--

Re: Wise Startup Blog Giveaway: Free Grooveshark $5 Gift Cards

Justin - YGG — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:25:43 -0000

Great Idea! Do I just copy and paste one of those keys!

Re: Add Reddit, Stumbleupon, Delicious, & Digg Submit Buttons to Wordpress

andrewwise — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:17:11 -0000

Lisa,

I'm sorry, I wish I could be of more help -- sorry again..

Re: Add Reddit, Stumbleupon, Delicious, & Digg Submit Buttons to Wordpress

Lisa — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:05:57 -0000

Hi Andrew-
I took it out b/c it wasn't working. I simply installed all your codes on single.php and nothing showed up at all. It was odd.
I have a WP blog thru Blue Host.
Thanks for any help!
LL