Guy Kawasaki’s The Art Of The Start
June 16, 2008 – 9:24 pmIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I finally got down to reading Guy Kawasaki’s “The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything
It’s got great advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, and especially for those in the technology and web businesses. With his experience as managing director of Garage Technology Ventures (he recently launched news aggregator Alltop), his advice for those seeking funding in the chapter “The Art of Raising Capital” is priceless.
My greatest take-away from the book?
This is one piece of advice I’d loved to have used when explaining to some of my ex-bosses why some of our products wouldn’t quite work out as they would have liked.
Tags: book, Entrepreneurship, Guy Kawasaki, Marketing, The Art of the Start
3 Responses to “Guy Kawasaki’s The Art Of The Start”
Need advice:
I would like to start a business. I would like to have web page designed and placed on search engines. What search engine is the best? Planing to start coaching business. I already have county license . How do I eccept payments? Create excitement on the web? And get clients?
Thank you ,
Tanya
By tanya on Jun 21, 2008
Hi Tanya,
Wow that’s a slew of interesting questions!
Before I start answering those, do you have a business plan for your coaching business? It’s important to know the market and the type of clients you’re targeting, which would help you strategise on how to start and grow your business.
And now for the questions:
1. Web design - There are many professional designers you can find who can do such a service for a modest fee. Try elance.com and find someone who has been given a high rating and favourable feedback by their clients. Alternatively, try advertising for college students in your area who have the relevant skills for help (which they get to add it to their portfolio, so are willing to charge cheaper).
2. Search - As above, there are SEO (search engine optimization) experts who can advise how to get your name out there on the web. Otherwise you can always buy Google Adwords.
3. Accepting payments - It can differ from industry to industry across countries, but checks are common. Otherwise, try online payment services such as Paypal.com. In China, many businesses use Alipay.com (a Paypal equivalent).
4. Create excitement - Hmmm this is a lot more tricky. It depends on your type of coaching business i.e. what are you coaching? You should actually be putting together an overall publicity strategy instead - public relations, online, marketing - instead of focusing on just one area. Read up books on guerilla marketing or viral marketing.
5. Get clients - My advice is to focus on doing the best that you can do for every client you get. Word will spread, and they will come.
Hope that helps! All the best for your new business!
By Daniel on Jun 21, 2008
I like the “get clients” part…tsk
By Jeffrey Paine on Jun 21, 2008