This is MikeDuda's Typepad Profile.
Join Typepad and start following MikeDuda's activity
MikeDuda
Recent Activity
This post validates what I've been banking on doing for the past couple years. Thanks. This made my day BIG time.
MoneyBall for Startups: Invest BEFORE Product/Market Fit, Double-Down AFTER.
My apologies... this is a long piece (~2500 words). Not for the faint of heart. If you want the short story, read the abstract below & 3 core assertions, then cut to the conclusions at the bottom. Abstract: VC funds are getting smaller (good), & angel investors are growing (also good), but bot...
If the focus of the post was directed at (potential) investors, than I begrudgingly agree. While a Foursquare evangelist, the hype is seemingly out of control and the rumor-jockeying has been a bit much.
If you're challenging Foursquare/Gowalla based on what they've done to date, I'd argue it's waaayyy too early to be busting on them. It's like yelling at a one-year old Usain Bolt for not being fast enough. Give it time and let it develop...Foursquare especially has showed a couponing-esque offense and don't understimate the community it is indeed building.
Lastly, awesome use of "kids in the Hall" and "I squish your head" guy. Bravo.
Check-Ins are Coupons. Game Mechanics are Bullshit. Show Me The MONEY or Go Home (Loser).
(shameless plug: May 12 SMASHsummit.com social media marketing conference - get a 20% discount at bottom of this worthless & wildly speculative post) For everyone out there wondering if i'll ever return your phone calls or emails, my apologies... i have a bunch of rather significant not-quite-fi...
Is this post more of a wtf? to VCs or Foursquare/
Gowalla?
I think if it's to the latter, I would argue it's too early to kvetch. Like yelling at Usain Bolt as a one-year old that he's not fast enough. LBS-based companies have the opportunity to do what CitySearch and many others should have done and didn't: capitalize on monetizing local advertising and the data accrued for local/national advertisers.
If geared toward investors, I can respect that totally. The hype seems a bit much even for an evangelist like me.
Two other points:
• Normals are getting into Foursquare
more than many think.
• I love any use of "Kids in the Hall" especially the crushing your head guy. Well. Played. Sir.
Check-Ins are Coupons. Game Mechanics are Bullshit. Show Me The MONEY or Go Home (Loser).
(shameless plug: May 12 SMASHsummit.com social media marketing conference - get a 20% discount at bottom of this worthless & wildly speculative post) For everyone out there wondering if i'll ever return your phone calls or emails, my apologies... i have a bunch of rather significant not-quite-fi...
MikeDuda is now following The Typepad Team
Apr 11, 2010
Subscribe to MikeDuda’s Recent Activity