How to think about AI

There’s often a crucial difference between the problem that inspired you to create a company, and how you present that problem in your deck. Here's how to think about it.

"We're X for Y" is a classic way to pitch a startup. It's useful for some startups but a cliche for many. Here, we describe a more univeral and powerful way to use analogies in explaining your business.

Founders, rightly, want to change the world. But the status quo is a powerful thing, and it’s not simply going to crumble because you pull out the trumpets. You need to lead the status quo like a thirsty horse, step by step, to the water of your brilliance. Here's how.

At one point, carob was touted as better than chocolate. That didn't last. Here's what that can teach you about how to better position your startup against a category leader

About the meaning of life, and the meaning of startups

Let’s eliminate the conclusion-free statement of facts from how you talk about your startup and talk about the differences between facts, narratives, and plots.

Pssst...$400T. On top of that, did you ever realize how recent the concept of pitching and investing is?

How should you create articles that build your brand in a softer, more human way?

If artificial intelligence is part of your product—and judging by the startups I’ve seen recently, it probably is—you have a lurking messaging challenge. Here's the solution.

Did you know Shopify started as a snowboard company? Get inspired by companies that have pivoted successfully by focusing on one aspect of the solution they built.

Pivots and company growth place pressures on your company story. The inspiring story of Zum illustrates these perfectly.

There is no shortage of “definitive” pitch deck templates online. Let me give you the rules behind the guides, so you can structure the most effective deck for your situation.

Current AI is largely useless for creating fresh and thoughtful prose. Here's a great use.

You need to tell different stories to different audiences, including investors, employees, customers. Here's how to do it.

It's one of your most powerful tools. Here's how to do it.

Projecting certainty about either the change your startup will make, or the successes you've had, might seem the epitome of hubris. Let's explore why you should tell them confidently.

Jorge Heraud changed the story of his engineering startup. Learn how it changed his entire startup trajectory.

There are 3 foundational stories your website needs to tell. Here's what they are and how to think about them.

The world's fastest-growing B2B startup has some important lessons for all founders

What it is and how to get it

Let’s look past the Super Bowl

And you’ll be Scorpion of Silicon Valley

Remember the game Plinko?

And how to identify (and work around) the dangerous one

This is how you’ll build a great 2024

Don’t make your website a workout

How you should use AI for your startup

Trust me, they’re connected

Some great examples–and a framework

Numbers never tell the story

(almost) dying for a new career

When and how to present the team on your company website

Like a visit to your elderly parents, the talent is in the listening

Channel your inner Jimmy Buffett to get VCs lining up

When you need to do it, do it right

Let Speed Bring Clarity to Your Pitch Deck

Let's take a look at two companies that applied in 2022 and highlight what made them great applicants.

3rd-party validation of your startup is critical. Here's how to do it.

Writing a press release at the beginning of a company, or product, is a powerful trick that Amazon uses. Here's how to do it.

Conquering uncharted market territories: the art and science of ingenious product positioning

An interview with the founder of Innerplant. An example of how thought leadership can drive startup success

Navigating the hype clock: the cyclical journey of tech giants through peaks and valleys of public perception

Harnessing the underestimated power of press releases: a strategic tool for sculpting your startup’s digital visibility and credibility

Elevating startup success through thought leadership: why CEOs should share expertise and narrate their entrepreneurial journey

Redefining news in the digital age: lessons in simplicity, personalization, and authenticity from RocaNews

Crafting a compelling pitch: David Hornik's insights into storytelling, motivation, and the hero’s journey in startup presentations

Embracing humanity in a digital age: navigating the rise of AI in marketing and storytelling while maintaining a genuine connection with the audience

Want to avoid the top mistakes startups make when hiring a marketing agency? Read this.

…lies beyond the Dark Valley of Complex. Here’s the guide.

Grabbing stories from goat smugglers and startups: navigating through adventures and lessons in finding the real scoop

There are simple rules to building an effective website. Let’s up your game.

Challenging what we think we know: diving deep with Feynman into the art of curiosity, assumptions, and the unexpected parallels in startup culture

When your vision meets the unexpected: how pivoting brought success to a startup's eco-friendly mission

So What’s the Difference Between Going Public…and Going to Jail?

Mastering the Art of Entrepreneurial Narratives: Leveraging Classic Storytelling in Startup Success

Crumbled Foundations, Unveiling Tales: Analyzing the SVB Collapse and Gleaning Strategic Communications Insights for Startups

Narrative as Power: Elevating Early-Stage Entrepreneurship through the Art and Strategy of Storytelling in the Otto Awards

Celebrating Innovations and Narratives: Spotlighting the 2022 Otto Awards Winners Across Sectors and Stages

Refining Financial Innovation: A Deep Dive into Pipe’s Evolutionary Journey in Messaging and Value Proposition

Redefining the Energy Debate: Quaise's Bright and Bold Entrance into the Clean Energy Future

Unveiling DNA's Unsung Hero: How Inso Bio Illuminates the Hidden Chapter of Genomic Sequencing and Carves a Path for the Future

Beauty, Blogs, and Business: Emily Weiss’ Glossier and the Innovative Audience-First Approach to Entrepreneurship

Strategic Pivots and Masterful Pitches: The Evolution of Arch Systems in the Dynamic IoT Landscape

Unlocking a Billion-Dollar Success: Unveiling the Strategic Storytelling and Underdog Mentality Behind Dollar Shave Club's Iconic Video Launch