Where to Find the right Advisors for your Startup.
Using your Network contacts (& who ever you can) to find the best Advisors for your organization.
Advisors Topics: Mission, Network, Industry Map, Conferences, Startup America, Intros, Incubators & Accelerators, Surf.
the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) has provide the following advice for finding Advisors. YEC is an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. YEC recently launched StartupLab, a free “virtual” mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start & grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library & Email lessons.
1.Clarity your Mission (to have it better understood) Clarity is a really neat site started by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. The goal is to make it easy for early-stage founders to find & speak with experts across the startup spectrum. Whether you’re seeking a Mentor, Advisor, Investor or someone else, Clarity may be the one-stop site you need, especially if you live outside a major tech hotbed [like Silicon Valley, Silicon Alley [NYC], Silicon Beach [LA], Silicon Hills [Austin], Silicon Desert [AZ], Silicon Harbor [Carolina] etc.
2. Get a Map of Your Industry. LUMA Partners makes industry maps that show you the different companies in your industry and what they do. This is a valuable tool for researching all the possible companies – who could help you start or grow your business. Cold call or Email the most relevant companies where you can help each other.
3. Network. Go to local industry events in your area, no matter how small they might appear to be. Search sites like Eventbrite & Meetup (ie, Wiz4.bix local www.Meetup.com/Entrepreneur-733/] to see what relevant events are happening near you. Get out and meet people in person!
4. Attend Conferences. To find the best ones we’ve gone to for networking: locally go to EvenBright, Startup Digest, Startup BayArea, etc. These are great ways to meet potential partners, customers, advisors, etc., outside of your geographic region go to top Conferences USA
5. Leverage Startup America. This is a two-year-old organization backed by the White House, Kauffman, Case Foundation & many other large companies. There are regional leadership groups in most states that are helping to connect the local entrepreneurial scene. Each region hosts events, and the leadership is comprised of volunteers — normally entrepreneurs — who simply want to help6.
6. Ask for Intros. The key when making this request is to understand your own needs and convey them to your contact. Then your contact can introduce you to the right people that will help you the mose. It’s a great way to greatly expand your network.
7. Introduce Yourself. When you hear about interesting people you want to meet — people who have written great Blog posts, well-known or serial entrepreneurs, etc, put them in your notes. Make a point of contacting of these people every week. It may be a simple introduction, request for a meeting or advice on your product or service.
8. Consider Incubators & Accelerators. Entrepreneurs & Startups often gather around these. This is common meeting place for Founders, Advisors, Investors & Mentors. This is often where you’ll find the local startup community’s heartbeat. Go there and try to meet as many people as you can
9. Surf Like a Predator [looking for their next meal]. Think like a hungry Predator – except less creepy. You can play the “6 degrees of Separation” game with your LinkedIn & Facebook connections. When we find someone who looks interesting, ask for an introduction. The Internet is a fantast thing for finding what you want. use it to your social advantage
Comments: Share your best advice for finding/meeting awesome people to Advise your startup.
from Co-Verge 16 July 16 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz