Michael Shen

Here's how I'm using Clay's new RSS feature to build a database of recently funded startups, then score them based on likeliness to outsource or buy. Last time I built a table similar to this one someone DM'd me saying the booked 2 calls by sending only 60 emails to the list. Let's see if this one can beat that? Basically, we're building a copy of Seedtable or Cyberleads. For those who aren't familiar: those are paid tools that provide you with data on recently funded companies, as well as a prediction on how likely they are to need your service or product. We're doing the same thing here, except that we're doing it for free. PS. - the template, full step-by-step tutorial + the data will be available at hansdekker.net/mastermind

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YC companies spend $50,000 to build a website but they do not realize it is the WRONG destination to send their target audience. Because 98% of people who come to your website, do not the thing you want them to do. Websites = brochures Educational Email Courses = $$$ machines Most businesses confuse the two. Don't make that mistake and build an Educational Email Course instead (only if you want to make more money, obviously).

Founders often struggle with deciding how and when to scale their sales teams.. Here are some pages from the Andreessen Horowitz playbook ⤵️ It all starts with Founder-Led Sales.. At this stage, you should be dialed in on 2 things.. How do we make a product that people want? How do they want to buy it? PMF and GTMF.. Note: the market will tell you how to design your GTM approach, not the other way around. More (supplemented) Founder-Led Sales.. Ok, you've dialed in on some things. Time to step away from the front-lines, right? Not yet, sorry. As the Founder you are, by nature, an outlier. Just because you can sell your product, doesn't mean that anyone else can. You need to be sure that the product can be sold via delegation before you can step on the gas. Supplement your effort with some *renaissance reps that can help you close the feedback loop from customers and continue to refine your approach. *Renaissance rep = a very cool way to say reps that have super early stage experience, can wear a bunch of different hats, will help test and prod the market and discover new ways to be effective (will need comp in accordance with the non-revenue generating value they bring) Find you a Sales Leader.. Ok, you've got some reps up to speed. You've dialed in a GTM approach validated by market feedback and the success of your reps. Hire a sales leader. But not just any sales leader. Find one who has experience scaling a GTM motion similar to the one you've just proved works with your market. Martin Casado and Peter Levine actually give a formulaic approach to how to decide when your reps are winning enough for you to move to this stage. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gYweznfk Side note: Are you selling a technical and complex product (like ai/ml, infra etc)? You should probably find someone who knows how to speak the language already. I'll leave with this quote from their article that sums up the approach well: "If the founder can’t sell it, no one can. If a senior rep working directly with the founder can’t sell it, then a sales leader won’t be able to build a team that can sell it. And if a sales leader reporting to the CEO can’t build a team to sell it, then no third-party sales team outside the org can sell it. So build out sales in that order." P.S. Need help hiring GTM talent for Data, AI/ML, Compute, and Cloud Infra? DM me. We've assisted successful early-stage startups (backed by Zoom, Norwest, and Two Sigma Ventures) in finding A+ hires.

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7 passive ways to make $5K+ before the end of 2024. #4 is my favorite (for obvious reasons) With less than two months left, Here’s how you can hit those revenue goals  for 2024—without burning the midnight oil: 𝟭. 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲. Upload your designs on platforms like Redbubble and Society6 to earn royalties every time someone purchases your work. 𝟮. 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗲.  Got a drone, camera, or camping gear collecting dust? Rent it on Fat Llama or KitSplit and make passive income from what’s already yours. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀. With Turo and Getaround, you can rent out your car when you’re not using it. Ideal for weekends or holiday seasons—easy money. 𝟰. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀.   Many businesses offer commission-based revenue share programs—meaning you get paid for each referral or integration. (And yes, Zenti offers one too.) 𝟱. 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Sites like ACX and Voices .com pay well for narrations. If you enjoy reading or acting, this is an easy way to earn on the side. 𝟲. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 n𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲 “𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲” 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸.   Gather your insights into a niche ebook, then sell it via Amazon KDP or Gumroad. Your expertise could be someone’s shortcut to success. 𝟳. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿-𝘁𝗼-𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀.    Use Fundrise or Groundfloor to start investing in real estate with minimal capital. Earn dividends and diversify your income, without dealing with tenants. ---- If you’re a: - 𝗜𝗦𝗢 𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁   - 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗦 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿   - 𝗢𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 well-connected  And if want a simple way to earn extra,  explore Zenti's Revenue Share Program. 1. Visit my website. 2. Click on the Revenue Share Program. 3. And finally, sign up to "Become a Partner." Or, you can also DM me "Referral Partner.”

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How a developer missed out on an extra $150K/year. (And how to not repeat his costly mistake.) He worked on a project for a client and: → Integrated Stripe as their payment processor → His client went on to process $50M per month → The developer got a sum total of $0 from Stripe Had he chosen Zenti’s payment processor instead ↴ He could have earned uncapped commissions, bringing in an additional $150K in passive income that year. Same work. Same project. A major difference in income. Don't be like him. Make smarter choices ↴ Earn uncapped commissions. The opportunities are there, make sure to grab them. If you are ready to create a new revenue stream: 1. Visit my website. 2. Click on the Revenue Share Program. 3. And finally, sign up to "Become a Partner." Or, you can also DM me "Referral Partner.”

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The Key to Success? Problem-Solving. The world pays you not just for working hard but for solving the toughest challenges. Step 1: Learn to identify problems others overlook. Step 2: Develop creative, effective solutions. Step 3: Deliver value by solving problems that truly matter. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a professional, or a creator, your ability to tackle significant problems will define the level of success you achieve. Big problems = Big opportunities. Start solving today. #ProblemSolving #SuccessMindset #CreateValue #Opportunities

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Real talk... You are the sole reason your startup doesn't have - Growing Revenue - More Customers - Solid PMF - Cash Most of the founders I work with are full of energy. And they are spending it on ALL of the wrong things. They are majoring in the minor things and letting the whole house burn down around them. We find that when they get in a community of fast paced problem solvers all of that changes. Their business leaps forward. Not because they are doing more but because they are doing less. Well - we created that community of comited founders at the start of this year. It was a wild success. Now we are relaunching it. Version 2.0 is here. - It's completely free - It's actionable specific advise - It requires no credit card or contract Want to join us? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ehnKq9EG

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Best way to connect with other founders: Be the best customer. - Send looms of you signing up/onboarding. - Get on customer calls. Fill out surveys. Be open and honest.

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Business Owner not doing up to $500/Monthly (Read This)- ❌❌❌ ========================= Every person that don’t buy from a business will likely fall under ONE of these categories.. ONE; They don’t need the product TWO; they don’t have money for the product. THREE; They don’t believe the product works. FOUR; They Procrastinate and then forget to buy. Reason as Business Owner your marketing Copies or Content should: Qualify Educate & Persuade to act NOW Exp- (QUALIFY) Are you a busy professional struggling to find time for fitness? (EDUCATE) Our program is designed just for YOU to help you get fit with; - Short, effective workouts - Personalized coaching and community to give you all the support you need (PERSUASIVE CALL TO ACTION) Transform your body in just 30 days- Limited spots available⏰ Satisfaction guaranteed. JOIN NOW and start achieving that desirable fitness goals. This is just an Example- But this is how it works.. -This might not relate ...BUT if you want to advance your Marketing or Engagement Copies to resonate with modern audience and get more qualified leads in return for your Business/Agency.... Then shoot me a DM let's start working on achieving that goals. Got Value? Repost if you learnt something ♻️

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What User Growth Rates Can a Successful App Expect? A promising app is expected to show active growth within the first few months of its launch. While the pace of this growth can vary depending on strategic goals and marketing efforts, it's worth considering what kind of user acquisition rates can define an app as successful. Small Apps - These are niche solutions with a limited market, where no one expects millions of downloads from the start. In the first year, these apps might have anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of active users. Although their user base might be modest, these apps can still be commercially successful. A great example is Asodesk, used by over 30,000 app developers and marketers worldwide, including well-known companies like Wargaming, Playrix, and Yandex. Mid-Sized Apps - In their first year, these apps typically attract between tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of users. This category includes productivity apps, travel apps, e-commerce apps, and more. Take Blinkist, for instance, an app for reading and listening to book summaries on Android and iOS. Large-Scale Apps - These apps can attract millions of users within the first year. Think of the widely popular social media apps, messaging apps, gaming apps, and so on. Therefore, some of the most important indicators for predicting an app's user growth rate include market capacity, market size, and market dynamics. This is alongside strategic goals and marketing efforts, which can range from very ambitious to relatively modest. It's also crucial to remember that with the development of mobile technologies and the increasing number of people actively using them, the growth rates of apps are accelerating. Today, gaining the first 100,000 users is much easier for a new app than it was two or three years ago. And let's not forget, the success of an app isn't just about the number of users but also their engagement and willingness to pay. #startups #startupnation #startupventures #startupadvice

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🚀 Unlock $250K to $1M in Personal Income with an OBM! 🚀 🧠 As a CEO, your strategic thinking is a goldmine for revenue generation. But are operational tasks holding you back? 🔧 Leverage an OBM: > Manage business optimization and client delivery. > Free up your time for innovative thinking. > Turn your ideas into revenue-driving actions. 💡 The Result: More time to focus on growth strategies, leading to significant income boosts. Ready to unleash your full potential? 💬 Comment your biggest operational challenge below! 🔗 Read more https://lnkd.in/gVZmp4zi Prowess Project

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Series A Term Sheet Template

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“Pipe dreams” become a reality if you understand the value of your proposition and when people investing in you also realize the growth of an industry. Ideas are great, execution is better. Execute your idea and you’ll reach a level that pipe dreams become a “pipe reality”.

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The August Jobs Report was released earlier this month — here’s what we’re noticing (and how it may impact startups) 🔍 1️⃣ Lower borrowing costs will likely benefit startups looking to raise venture capital or take out new loans for growth. This may allow startups to invest more in talent acquisition and people growth. 2️⃣ Labor costs and salaries are starting to stabilize as inflation cools somewhat, which may also help startups hire more easily (compared to the previously rising compensation demands). That said… 3️⃣ Many startups (and larger businesses as well) have slowed hiring given economic uncertainty. This is all the more relevant for startups that are operating in high-risk environments with (often) lower budgets. Many startups are looking for more stability before making any long-term hiring moves. Leveraging generalists and partners like oAT can make it more feasible for startups to get the resource support they need without the risk and investment of hiring full-time staff. I’m curious how our ecosystem is thinking about building out their teams as we head into the end of this year — moving fast, moving cautiously, or pausing altogether?

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Quick overview to Seed Fundraising for Startups

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Looking for a role where you can impact founders' success stories daily? Doers Growth is hiring a Content Growth Specialist to help tech leaders shine on LinkedIn (15-20 hours/week, remote). We work with founders from Web3, Blockchain, and AI - backed by top investors like Animoca Brands, A16z, and Coinbase Ventures. Your success path with us: First chapter: - Master content engagement strategies - Handle post-scheduling and distribution - Create supporting visuals - Learn our proven systems Growth chapters: ↗ Lead content strategies ↗ Produce video content ↗ Manage podcast content ↗ Build client relationships ↗ Drive performance analytics Skills you'll develop: 1) Content management systems 2) AI-powered creation tools 3) Analytics platforms 4) Video editing expertise 5) Podcast production What should you have for the perfect fit? ✓ Strong English skills ✓ European timezone availability ✓ Eye for detail ✓ Love for learning ✓ Interest in emerging tech Simple hiring steps: → Complete the application with a 2-min video → Show your skills (15-min test) → Meet our founding team Want to be part of founders' success stories? Link to the application in the comments!

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The Art of the VC Pitch: A Brief Guide to Maximizing Your Chances With Venture Capital Through Giving Better Pitches Pitching to a Venture Capital firm is different from any other kind of pitch. It's not like a sales pitch, a product pitch, or any other kind of presentation. This guide is a road map to the nuts and bolts of maximizing your opportunity when you manage to get in front of VCs

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