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Re:Ask HN: How to write a business plan for an Internet star... by whyleyc on Thursday January 08, 2009 @12:06PM (#425182)
I wonder if Chad and Steve from YouTube had a business plan, or Craig Newmark, or Steve Jobs ?

Don't write a business plan.

Instead spend the time you would have spent on the plan putting together a kickass demo, or working on the product.

Having been approached, you're operating from a position of strength already. You should work that to your advantage - if you don't need the money then you can afford to negotiate more on your own terms.

If some documentation is required put together a Powerpoint of 5-10 slides explaining:

- Your product, and why it is unique (and defensible to competition)

- Your team's credentials and experience

- Your market, it's size

- Your competitors (including SWOT analysis)

- Your funding requirements (including salary)

- Your best and worst case scenarios for growth

Re:Ask HN: How to write a business plan for an Internet star... by gsmaverick on Thursday January 08, 2009 @01:21PM (#425335)
Chad said at a dinner that when he and Steve made the rounds on Sand Hill road, they had a working product, and users to prove their idea was good. They didn't bring a business plan or any fancy presentations.
Re:Ask HN: How to write a business plan for an Internet star... by supahfly_remix on Thursday January 08, 2009 @04:13PM (#425649)
hmm...I'm not sure Chad Hurley's case is a good example because he had some excellent connections. His father-in-law is Jim Clark of Netscape/SGI fame. I'm sure that helped open doors, and let them be taken more seriously.