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.
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