Sporting chance
Here at StreetPin HQ, we are absolutely #gutted that we are not able to release our sparkly new version in time for the Olympics.
This is a tailor-made situation for StreetPin in order to provide pop up boards to facilitate the myriad of emotions faced by both supporters and athletes (and of course sponsors). It’s on these advertising and media battlegrounds that small companies can quickly compete and become stars, à la Lithuanian swimmers.
Guerrillas in the midst
We did have a minor ethical debate about whether to enter in to a bit of an Olympic poster campaign, positioning boards in key areas where the likes of Pepsi, Tesco & Burger King ads were banned. Below is my rather tongue-in-cheek mock up of how an Olympic Park board could have looked. With the right following, this could have played a great part in helping people rave about the events, find the best bar, or reassure @TomDaley1994
Team vs funds
This has long been a conundrum for me – raise money, give away shares & pay for development OR bring on developers in return for equity. Both have their merits and pitfalls and right now we are evaluating a combination. It’s never black and white in a StartUp! We are looking at getting the launch product out there in September in one form or another and the mobile web version may well be kicking off this week, thanks to a great developer that I’ve worked with before. It may be getting a little incestuous in the ranks of StreetPin, but each of us are taking a leap of faith and I guess a solid track record goes as far as Mo Farah.
In the stands…
If anyone is interested in hearing my thoughts on Location-based social media, I’ll be practising my public speaking in August at the Dreamstake event - Location, Location, Location - Mapping your Route to Success at Google Campus - http://www.dreamstake.net/events/viewevent2?eventid=1000021 Tuesday, 28 August 2012 18:30. Please don’t expect too much from me – I’m still trying to get on top of this game, but there’ll be free beer and other great speakers to compensate. Just hope I’m a little more successful, and see less drop offs than Eddie the Eagle.
Are you an aspiring shopkeeper?
If any of you have a product range but at too early a stage to take on a lease, have a look at this great initiative by StartUp Britain - http://www.startupbritain.org/highstreet/. Essentially share a 3-month lease with 6 others, test the water, go forth and be great.
Social media tip
Best time to Tweet is between 9am & 11am, but of course factor in time zones for your intended audience. If you post just after your dinner at 8pm for example, it’s 12:00 noon on west coast America, 3PM on East Coast America and 3am in China. Strangely enough, Tuesday and Wednesday seem to spike, so adjust weekly info accordingly…
Missed any of the previous chapters?
You can catch up here:
StreetPin - Chapter 1: The fly-on-the-wall story of a start up
StreetPin - Chapter 2: We're going on an angel hunt
StreetPin - Chapter 3: Finding an investor and dating, more similar than you'd think
StreetPin - Chapter 4: Time to shine the shoes
