I used to turn beet red whenever a professor called on me in class. At parties, I needed a drink in my hand just to work up the nerve to talk to anyone interesting, otherwise, I’d break out in stress hives. Then, in my early twenties, the panic attacks started.
In many companies, the marketing department feels like it’s constantly playing catch-up. A quick-reaction team gets spun up to handle a PR crisis, then another team collaborates with product managers to bake marketing into the launch. The industry shifts, a new competitor emerges with a cheaper model, and marketing is again tasked with leading the response. While the company might thrive, the internal feeling is often one of chaotic reactivity, not proactive strategy.
It all started in an office in Anchorage, Alaska. Scott McMurren was working in media sales for a local TV station, a job that gave him a great view of Mount McKinley and a list of contacts all over the state. He also hosted a travel show on the side, but he never thought it would amount to much. For two years, his friend Gary Blakely had been nagging him about a business idea, but Scott kept brushing it off. Finally, worn down by the daily grind and his friend’s persistence, he caved. “OK,” he said, “let’s give it a try.”
You’ve refined your approach and put in the work to make sure your business is set up for success. You have a solid vision and you're ready to find the capital that will take it to the next level. So, what do you actually need to start talking to investors? And how do you prepare those materials to get the best possible outcome?
An irresistible offer, as the marketing guru Ray Edwards put it, is one that sells itself. People don’t need to be persuaded to buy; they ask you if they can. At the heart of any great sales page or pitch is the offer. It’s a combination of the transformation you’re promising, the product or service that delivers it, and the price.
Is your networking falling flat? If you feel like you're putting in the effort without seeing the results, don't worry. It’s a common hurdle, especially when you're or . Here are ten straightforward ways to improve your networking game and build the connections you need for your .
You’ve done everything you were told to do. You show up to the networking events with a smile, you nail your introduction, you chat with a few people, and then… crickets. Not a single person seems interested in what you’re selling. It’s easy to feel like giving up, but don’t.
The social media landscape can feel like a crowded party where everyone is shouting. With so many platforms out there, it’s tempting to just skip the whole thing, assuming you don’t have time to do it right. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be everywhere. The real strategy is picking the right channels for your business and sticking with them. This is about being smart with your social media marketing, not just being loud.
It’s a thought I wish more businesses would embrace: the real power of social media lies in building relationships, not just hunting for prospects. Far too many companies and professionals jump straight to selling before they’ve even figured out what people want to buy. The goal here is to shift your perspective on social media and offer some practical ways to change the results you’re getting.