Living in the bay area, I tend to get introduced to founders and executives of various startups around the area. Usually the only context to the introduction is a comment by the introducer than we should meet and talk. Sometimes these meetings are great, but usually they are awkward. Besides my being socially inept, the person I'm meeting usually thinks I want something from them, like a job.
But honestly, I don't. And it's a mistake for the founder/cto/etc to make that assumption.
I want to talk about why you think your company is a good idea, why would I want to use your service. Don't try to sell me, but get me involved/invested in your idea, make it relevant to my situation. Make me a fan.
A startup needs fans. The best employees were and are still fans of what your company is/does. It's also much easier to hire a fan. And it's is also much easier to sell something to a fan.
But don't assume I am already a fan, but do assume I would like to be one.
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