How to Bring Value
I’ve given much thought to this question over the past few years since I first got started reading online and using twitter to immerse myself in the Boston tech scene. The first few months were filled with much intrepidation as I wondering to myself, “How the heck can a 17/18/yr old be ‘valuable’ and not be an annoying greenhorn while people here are in the real world hustling and building their dreams?” I didn’t expect to be able to give much wisdom or advice to people and I thought it would be even harder to connect on a personal level.
In the past year or two I think I’ve come across a lot of ways, either through personal experience of Getting in the Game or by observation, of how to bring some value to the table. I believe that “Come Bearing Gifts” is an extremely effective way to get a foot in the door and open the opportunity to connect with someone.
Become a Beta User and Early Adopter
Become really curious and experiment with new tools, services and apps. Everyone loves feedback on their hard work especially when it’s constructive and respectful. You get many added benefits of being an early-adopter but the most important aspect is that it gives you a great agenda to reach out via twitter, email, in-person to someone. Approaching a busy entrepreneur at a meetup with a suggestion for a small feature or critique of the user experience is much more powerful than the “Oh wow, I really like your company.”
Make Introductions
This one can a little more difficult than the rest especially at the earlier stages but it can be one of the most powerful. First, develop a small but strong network filled with genuine connections with friends, co-workers, classmates and digital friends. Then, begin to really be mindful of when connecting two people will serve both parties well and DO IT. Learn email etiquette and always ensure that both people will be able to benefit. Introduce a hiring startuper to a skilled classmate. Bring two student leaders and hustlers together. Introduce a VC to a young entrepreneur. The list goes on and on. Making a great introduction is a WIN-WIN-WIN. The more you position yourself as a connector at the center of meanningful organizations and groups the more opportunities you have to route connections.
Volunteer
The easiest, least expensive and most helpful way to get involved on an in-person level and add value is to simply volunteer to help run events. Helping includes set up, marketing, organization, menial tasks, making introductions, audio/visual, etc. The great thing is that it brings you closer to the cool, interesting people running the events as well as the attendees. It also shows that you’re willing to get off campus, put in some sweat equity to put yourself in a position to learn and connect. The organizers, usually sacrificing their own time/money/energy, are grateful for your help.
Be Thoughtful
I know, it sounds corny. But, I assure you being thoughtful and mindful of what people are working on or interested in reaps large rewards over the long term. Pass along interesting, helpful articles or video that someone is passionate on a personal level about or is working on professionally. For example — Menswear articles go to@Lifeoffbi. Biz Dev / Learning go to @ScottBritton. Food and tech developments go to @Jcap49. The list goes on for people I connect with on twitter and in real life. Think next time you come across a really interesting article on Reddit, HackerNews, Twitter, etc “Who would really appreciate checking this out?”
Become the Point Man (Woman)
Carve out your niche in some organization, school, or meetup that you really enjoy working on. Become the point man at something so when people think “Harvard entrepreneurship” they think “Peter Boyce”, “Northeastern Entrepreneurship –> Greg Skloot”, “Startup Basketball –> William Sulinksi”, etc. I’d also know your “space” extensively. If your from BC, make sure you’re on top of everything Eagles and who the interesting/successful people (alumni, students) are there. If you are interested in health startups, make sure you know as much as you can about the companies and people in the community actively working in it.
Be A Great Intern/Employee
Simple but hard stuff. Add value to a company and community by contributing great work throughout the year or summer.
Be a Good Guy/Gal The most important of all. Culture fit is everything in startups and this community. Be a “good person” whose fun, interesting, honest and does what he says he’s going to do. No one wants to work/talk/compete/mentor/study with a jerk. This doesn’t necessarily add “value” persay but it allows you to have fun, grow and surround yourself with a lot of awesome people.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions, I’d love to continue the discussion on twitter. @ryandawidjan
