Jason Calacanis
Outspoken serial entrepreneur, angel investor, podcaster and writer
Discussion
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jason
@jason · ceo, writer, event host & angel
Hi, I'm Jason. I was the second Angel investor in Thumbtack and the 3rd investor in Uber. Ask me anything!
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Andrew Ettinger
@andrewett · Product Marketing, Twitter (ex-PH)
If you could name your own beer, what would you name it?
cc @mlefcort
Miles Varghese
@m1lesv
Hey @jason, thanks for joining us today for the AMA. We know your time's very valuable. I work for a tech startup called LiveNinja here in Miami, and we do white-labeled, HD video chat. I heeded your advice on episode on TWiST and had my marketing team come up with a GIF for me to include in my cold emails. I've included it in many cold e-mails, but found limited success. I know this could be attributed to a variety of factors, but I wanted to get your opinion around selling via cold email + GIF:
1. You probably operate on introductions over everything else, but have you responded to a cold email pitch recently?
2. If there was no feasible way to get an introduction (I know it's almost always possible, but still), how would you advise more "obscure" startups to approach investors and influencers like yourself in a cold email format?
3. Last, do you have any tips on the best way to incorporate gifs in a cold e-mail?
Thank you for everything that you do.
Sydney Liu
@sydney_liu_sl · Co-Founder of Commaful
Hey Jason!! Thanks for doing another AMA :D
You're a master of media and content, having been a player in that industry for many years now. More recently with Inside, Launch Ticker, your blog, podcast, the list goes on.
If you were to give a media/content newbie some resources (readings, talks, books, etc.) so they would know just enough to have a running start at content creation (whether it's running a podcast or starting their blog), what would they resources be? Or what would you ask them to think about?
Thanks! Was great seeing you last month and excited to see you at LAUNCH! Expect many Pencil posts!
Sydney Liu
https://usepencil.com
Ben Tossell
@bentossell · Community Lead, Product Hunt
Hey Jason, What are your favourite questions to ask founders?
Shaun Trennery
@shauntrennery · Founder X&Go
The Launch conference is an incredible platform for new startups to begin their journey. Post launch, the most difficult challenge is revenue and sourcing customers. Have you considered creating a platform that will encourage corporates to list needs? Almost like your request for startup concept. Needs would be vetted and startups, who quality, can bid for the work. I can imagine Tesla posting an employee benefits need or Starbucks posting a facial recognition need.
Larry
@larry_lawal
@jason @eriktorenberg If you were invited to do Shark Tank, would you consider doing an episode?
Rustin Rassoli
@rustinrassoli · 16 Year Old Founder & CEO, Greetale
Hey Jason! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this AMA, and congrats on Launch Festival! So excited to watch the live stream as unfortunately I won't be able to make it.
What is your advice for young entrepreneurs still in high school?
Thank you again,
Rustin
alexandremayol
@alexandremayol · DayPass: hotel pools & fitness on demand
hi @rustinrassoli , where do you get the streams from?
Rustin Rassoli
@rustinrassoli · 16 Year Old Founder & CEO, Greetale
@jackdiver hey! I'm not really sure what you mean by that.
alexandremayol
@alexandremayol · DayPass: hotel pools & fitness on demand
@rustinrassoli sorry not english native here, just to know where are the Launch Festival Live Streams
Rustin Rassoli
@rustinrassoli · 16 Year Old Founder & CEO, Greetale
@jackdiver oh! I think it's streamed on YouTube. Here's the link:
alexandremayol
@alexandremayol · DayPass: hotel pools & fitness on demand
@rustinrassoli thanks, I could have searched a bit more ;-)
Lily Yeh
@lilyyeh · CEO and Founder, Little Loving Hands
HI Jason,
Thank you for your time today! Been a follower of all your posts and blogs and all the great advice you've given in the past.
Currently, I'm funding everything myself. I'm confident in my product and service which focuses on teaching kids empathy and the importance of giving back. We are a monthly subscription business that delivers craft projects allowing kids to create items that are sent back to charity and handed out to those in need. Given the smaller budget, I've done limited marketing. Is it crazy to think that I can grow this without outside investments that would allow a significant amount of dollars to be put into marketing to expand reach?
I really appreciate any guidance you may have.
Lily
https://littlelovinghands.com
alexandremayol
@alexandremayol · DayPass: hotel pools & fitness on demand
Hi Jason, Thanks for being here & for the inspiration. Can you tell us / show us (not sure if you can put an image here) what apps are on your Phone Home Screen?