The Worst Things Startups Do

Uber-blogger Robert Scoble wrote a tremendous post about the things startups that aren’t run well do. It included things like:

(2) You can’t tell me what you do in a single Tweet.

(4) You hire a PR firm.

(8) You let VCs control your management team and strategy too early.

(11) You pick old technology because it’s familiar.

(12) You don’t change direction fast enough.

I thought 12 was especially important when you’re starting a company or running a startup. “Every startup should be looking at its direction every month or so. Are things going according to plan? If not, fix them.

I disagree with (4). According to Scoble, “You hire a PR firm, because the right PR firm can make all the difference in the world.”

It’s more important to understand your company’s market and how to reach them than it is to hire a PR firm. It’s more important to understand the full spectrum of tools available to marketers to reach your market than it is to hire a PR firm. It’s more important to understand how to develop relationships with your customers, the media, potential investors and partners than it is to hire a PR firm.

It’s important to understand and know these things before you make the investment in a PR firm that may spend your money educating you on the possibilities that PR can deliver without ever delivering.