Being Concise

I recently spoke about how the application for Mass Challenge required that I answer around 20 questions in a very limited amount of characters. It got me thinking about how the message is delivered. We talked about the need to get your ideas across - hopefully without jargon. Lesson: it is imperative to make everything very clear in as few words as possible. Everyone should be able to understand.

So moving on from our abbreviated answers, I posted a rocket pitch video – pithy and just over 1 minute. Keeping in mind that the goal is to pitch in the time of a standard elevator ride. Again, if you're lucky enough to be in an elevator with someone who can help your company out, let 'em have it, and get it right.

After that, if you're asked to give more, have some slides ready. 10 minutes tops. We'll talk about good presentation form next time.

Cheers,

Brian

http://atomictower.com - web reporting engine

Mass Challenge

So I got some advice recently to enter my company, Atomic Tower, in the Mass Challenge.  MC is a competition for startups and the prize is mentoring, office space and capital!

We entered. There was of course an application with about 20 questions that describe the company, problem, solution, competitors, market etc. Big catch, the answers could be either 250 or 500 CHARS! This is common. It reminds me that when you have a business you had better be able to explain it plainly in very few words. And if you're looking for funding, you had better be able to make the reader go "Wow! What an amazing opportunity!"

I think the old-time term would be "Pithy".

Best of luck,
Brian

p.s. If you want to vote for us, go to http://masschallenge.org and register as an observer.