How To Generate Interest In Your Startup

Getting customers interested in your startup’s service or product is essential in more ways than one. Not only are customers necessary for business but they are also a great source for feedback. Many startup companies develop their ideas with the help and suggestions of their first customers. So, how do you get these vital customers interested? There are several methods you can try to generate buzz for your startup.

One method includes special discounts and a waiting list. Creating a waiting list and giving people a reason to sign up for your product will make consumers feel special, like they are the only ones you’re marketing to.

(Curated from Tech.Co)

“This tip works particularly well with mobile apps and innovative online services. Gauge up the buzz and attract early adopters anxious to try something new. Offer incentives and special perks for users to sign up early, such as a free membership plan for a month or special discounts.”

If you want to generate some online buzz for your startup, post original, creative content on your website or blog. People love visuals, so infographics are effective when developing a marketing strategy.

“Infographics kept bringing traffic to us like clockwork,” – says Anand Srinivasan, CEO at LeadJoint, “You need a good, evergreen idea, preferably the one explaining a complicated concept or process in a simple visually appealing way or some lesser-known fun data to generate the first wave of interest. Outreach to bloggers asking them if they would like to have a look at your visual. That’s essential. Do ask them to share or post your infographic straight away. Afterwards, if they feel interested offer to write a unique 200 words intro to go along with the image. Chances of successful placement rise drastically.”

Local events and a strong online presence go a long way in acquiring new customers. From infographics and waiting lists to networking on LinkedIn, there are several ways you can generate interest in your startup. What do you think is the most effective strategy for building a customer base?

How To Give Your Startup An Edge

Launching a successful startup is one of the most challenging tasks in the business world. Entrepreneurs face numerous obstacles and if you’re not prepared properly or lack the right skills, the process becomes even more difficult. But there are a few things you can do to give yourself an edge over the competition such as going beyond your product. If you make your product or service more than just a name it will draw more customers.

(Curated from Tech.Co)

“Try to position your business around an idea or movement that goes beyond the products you sell. Disney’s brand, for example, is “where dreams come true”. That brand image is broader than simply movies and amusement parks. Subway has positioned their company as a weight loss program. This branding goes beyond their food.”

You can also find success by becoming an expert in your field. With enough expertise, you won’t have to chase customers, they will come to you. Another great way to find more customers is by personal referrals. If you can find one customer or client to trust in you and your company, they will be more likely to share the benefits of your ideas with their friends.

“The easier way to find a new customer is when an existing client tells a friend about you. That can happen when customers become fans of your work. By delivering a great product and good customer service, you can start getting word of mouth referrals to your business.”

One of the best ways to help your company succeed is to hire the right people. Not only should you make sure that you hire qualified people, but also people who will fit in with your company and your brand.

“The team you hire can have a big impact on your company’s success. Forbes explains that good employees are interested in your business’s culture. Many workers are also drawn to positions that allow them to work remotely. Keep these points in mind as you look for talented people.”

As you work towards launching your startup company, the biggest advantage you can have is to set yourself apart from the competition. If you stand out among in the crowd, you are more likely to find success. How are you giving your startup an edge?

5 Upcoming Events for Entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh

If you’re an entrepreneur, Pittsburgh is a great place to be. Along with several big universities and colleges, Pittsburgh is also home to a few incubators for startup companies and entrepreneurs. This month, many of these organizations are hosting events aimed at entrepreneurs and young companies. Here are a few of the upcoming events for entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh.

1. Chatham hosts a Women’s Business Leaders breakfast series for young women interested in joining the industry. At their next breakfast on June 12, they will cover effective branding and marketing techniques with Darieth Chisolm as the featured speaker.

(Curated from Chatham University)

“Darieth launched Hustle & Heart TV in August 2014 and enjoyed 10 weeks at #1 on iTunes in Business Video. She earned over $10,000 in advertising sales in her first month alone and increased her email list significantly. She will show you how to implement 7 additional revenue streams from your video podcast show, while enhancing your brand and influence.”

2. The Pittsburgh Entrepreneur Meetup Group is another great source if you’re looking to do some networking. They meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month. You can stop by the next meeting on June 23.
3. You also don’t want to miss Web Design Days on June 11 - June 12, when you can meet several creative web design professionals.. With over 10 speakers, you can learn everything from combining culture and music with design to responsive web design.

(Curated from Web Design Days)

“Yesenia Perez-Cruz is a designer based out of Philadelphia, PA. She has created beautiful, functional design systems for clients like MTV, Zappos, and Iron Chef Jose Garces. She currently works at Intuitive Company, where her role spans design strategy, user experience, and graphic design. Previously, she was a Senior Designer at Happy Cog in Philadelphia.”

4. Saturday, June 13th is Pittsburgh TechFest. It’s a day for software development professionals to meet up and discuss various aspects of their industry. The event will take place at La Roche college and only costs $10.
5. The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh is hosting several workshops for young entrepreneurs this summer. For helpful tips on how to form an effective business plan, check out the calendar of events for Pitt’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Several Pittsburgh Startups Finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Several of Pittsburgh’s local businesses made the cut for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award. These startup companies were selected based on innovation, financial savvy, and contributions to the community. You’ve probably visited one of the finalists for breakfast. Pam Cohen and Gail Klingensmith, the owners of six Pamela’s P&G Diners, were nominated for the award as well as Meg Cheever of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

(Curated from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

“Other finalists may not have that level of name recognition, but several have expanded to have global reach.

“Finalist Judith Bannon is founder and executive director of Cribs for Kids, a nonprofit organization in Hazelwood that has provided cribs to families in need since 1998. The organization’s goal is to reduce deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, by providing safe sleep education to new parents.”

Diamond Kinetics, a company located in RCI’s Northshore offices, also made it to the final round for the award. The startup develops analytic technology to help baseball players improve their swing.

Many of the Pittsburgh startups, like Thread International, demonstrate an international influence, but stress the importance of being headquartered in the steel city.

“Another finalist, Ian Rosenberger, founder and CEO of East Liberty-based Thread International, also said his company could not be located anywhere but Pittsburgh.

“Thread provides work to low-income people in Haiti by collecting recyclable trash and converting it into fabric used in garments and accessories. He started Thread following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and has the dual goals of trying to solve the country’s poverty and its trash problems.”

While the finalists represent a variety of innovations, they all have one thing in common - they couldn’t have accomplished their goals in any other city.

On June 19th, Ernst and Young will present the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Image by Keith Allison

Pittsburgh's Most Innovative Ice Cream Shops

As the temperature rises outside, ice cream becomes more and more essential to our diets as we try to cool down. Fortunately, Pittsburgh has a long list of ice cream shops with an even longer list of flavors. From Dave and Andy’s Birthday Cake to Antney’s Mexican Chocolate to Kerber’s Cow Patty (chocolate ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter candy, brownie cookie dough, and chocolate sugar cone pieces), there’s a delicious cold treat out there for everyone.

Dave and Andy’s, a Pittsburgh staple, puts an M&M at the bottom of every cone to prevent ice cream from melting through the bottom. If you’ve only been to Dave and Andy’s, here are a few more places to try.

(Curated from Next Pittsburgh)

“Speaking of Dave & Andy’s, you can also get their concoctions at Shadyside’s Oh Yeah! Ice Cream & Coffee. They bill themselves as “Pittsburgh’s most eccentric haven for ice cream, coffee and waffle enthusiasts,” and it’s the truth. An ice cream parlor, radical coffee shop and community bank (?) all at once, Oh Yeah! starts with the base flavors from Dave & Andy’s and offers more than one hundred quirky mix-ins, from hemp protein to Corn Pops to turkey jerky.”

Pittsburgh hosts a variety of homemade ice cream vendors. One vendor even offers ice cream with reduced lactose content. Leona’s sells creative ice cream sandwiches from various locations. They use a natural enzyme to reduce the lactose content in their locally sourced ice cream.

“Pittsburgh’s best-kept ice cream secret may just be Antney’s Ice Cream in Greentree. Though it looks like a run-of-the-mill scoop shop, the flavors at Antney’s are anything but ordinary. On a given day, their rotating lineup of homemade ice creams could include everything from Mexican Chocolate to Italian Sweet Cheese. And be sure to grab a “Pup Cup” for your pooch at home.”

We even has ice cream to make people guilt-free despite the extra calories:

“For ice cream with a purpose, head to Dream Cream. The Downtown shop operates according to a unique model: organizations, nonprofits and individuals can submit their “dream,” from adopting a child to hosting a church community day. If chosen, the dreamer receives a portion of a flavor’s proceeds for the month in exchange for a few hours of volunteer time at the store. Someone takes a step towards making their dream come true and you get to eat ice cream—sounds like a win all around.”

Which is your favorite ice cream place in Pittsburgh? Leave a comment below!

Image by Lotus Head

Why Big Companies Worry About Startups

While small startup companies are trying to impress the world with big ideas, big companies are struggling to compete with the innovative startups. Scott Kirsner, editor of Innovation Leader, writes that large companies are afraid of being eliminated by smaller businesses like how Netflix or Uber transformed their respective industries and made giant companies obsolete. Kirsner outlined how big companies struggle to compete with startups when it comes to innovation:

(Curated from Harvard Business Review)

“It can be easy to count the number of innovation workshops held at company outposts around the world, or tally revenues from add-on services developed by an innovation group and then handed over to the sales force. But white-sheet-of-paper innovation efforts are fundamentally different from growing and optimizing existing lines of business. Apple founder Steve Jobs famously didn’t believe in focus grouping new products, and when Starbucks founder Howard Schultz wanted to create a totally novel coffee-buying and drinking experience, he didn’t order up market research. The result? Products like the iPad and Starbucks’ new Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle, a prototype for future Starbucks flagship stores.”

Big companies don’t have much patience for failure when it comes to innovation. When they spend money they want immediate results. Startups on the other hand are more likely to have patience and put in years of time and effort to see their ideas come to fruition.

“In businesses with billion-dollar bottom lines, it’s nearly impossible to create significant ripples in a year or two. Many of the startups now disrupting major industries like hospitality or media had four or five years to figure out what opportunity was actually worth pursuing, and build a working mechanism for attracting customers. After all, their survival hinged on figuring out how to make things click.”

So, it seems that the biggest advantage that startups have is that they have nothing to lose while big companies have everything to lose. What is your startup’s vision for the future?

Image Source: Harvard Business Review

Top 5 Places To Celebrate Mother's Day In Pittsburgh

Looking for new ways to celebrate Mother’s Day? If you’re having trouble topping last year’s gifts, check out these unique Pittsburgh events.

1. Flowers in the Attic celebrates Mother’s Day this year with a buffet-style brunch. This renovated turn-of-the-century home, located at 7505 Saltsburg Road,  features two floors of beautiful flowers, gourmet food and unique gifts. The brunch will take place on May 10 at 9:30 am and costs $34.99 per person.
2. The Pittsburgh Zoo hosts its annual Mother’s Day celebration on Saturday, May 9 this year. This event is ideal for families with young children. It includes face painting and an animal presentation as well as brunch. Prices vary based on age and zoo membership status.
3. Phipps Conservatory celebrates moms with handmade mom-inspired collages. Even if you’re not feeling crafty, Phipps is a fun place to explore with mom, especially if she enjoys gardening. This event will take place on May 10 at 1:30 pm.
4. The Gateway Clipper Fleet offers three cruises on Mother’s Day. A brunch cruise, lunch cruise, and dinner cruise provide an exciting atmosphere for moms to enjoy a delicious meal without having to lift a finger.

“Mom won’t have to prepare a thing - she is ‘Queen for the Day’ so let her enjoy the fabulous buffet, the DJ playing all her favorites, the beautiful sights and most of all, your company.”

5. And finally, if the weather is nice and you want to spend some time outdoors, pack a picnic! Pittsburgh is home to several great parks and mom will enjoy the fresh air as well as delicious picnic food.

Image by HoboJones