rebecca LANDO

mdfsmash:

internetrunnerssocialclub:

Yes, there are a ton of tech/media/PR/online video/blogger meetups already, but most of them revolve around drinking or listening to lectures. Enter the Internet Runners Social Club - A group for those of us that work in internet-related industries and like to be active, or want to be!

You don’t have to be a hard core runner, or even a runner for that matter. It’s all about getting outside, unwinding, spending some time on your feet, and getting to know others.

We’ll be doing nice and easy (read: slow) out-and-back (OAB) runs which means whether you’re walking or running we’ll all be back at the same time (15 minutes out, then turn around - those that run faster will just run further and then have further to come back). Most of the runs will be about 30 minutes long plus some meet and greet and stretching after. Every month or two we’ll have a social gathering after the run at a “runner friendly” venue.

To add your name to the IRSC mailing list for dates and times of runs, submit your email here.

We’re launching in NYC first, then L.A., SF, and hopefully nationally! If you live in a city and would like to start up a group, just email internetrunnerssocialclub [at] gmail.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! We’ll add the answers here.

-Michelle DeForest (MDF), Founder

Follow IRSC on Twitter!

Hope you’ll join us!

IN! This sounds like exactly what I need. Hopefully I’m not the only internet person who likes to (read: would like to) run in Fort Greene.

spytap:

mikehudack:

bijan:

This time of year, many venture backed startups have created or are putting together their operating plan for 2010.

Few suggestions for early stage/pre revenue companies:

1. Start with the ending. What do you want to accomplish by the end of next year and why?

2. Set quarterly objectives

Quarterly objectives help your board identify what’s going well and not well at the company. Are the goals realistic? Are we understaffed? Do we have the right people in the company? Does the company execute well? Is the product on track?

Some early stage companies are hesitant to create quarterly objectives. I know it can be challenging for a few reasons: (a) some entrepreneurs are worried that they will look bad if they miss their objectives and (b) startups have to be flexible at times and priorities may need to change

My response to concern (a) take the time to pick your investors wisely. The best ones will help you and your company be successful. The worst investors suffer absentee landlord syndrome which is a nightmare.

In response to 2nd concern: have an open communication style and culture amongst your board members. Don’t wait until the board meeting to propose a big change in the plan or priorities. Early stage investors and board members understand that things will change. That’s part of the deal so don’t sweat it.

3. Operating Budget

For early stage/pre revenue companies, i suggest that you operate the business assuming you are going to miss your 2010 revenue forecast entirely or significantly. You can always spend more if revenue (or user engagement) grows nicely. But cutting is painful at best.

4. Fund raising

If you need to raise additional capital in 2010, assume you will need 4-5 months to raise money. Clearly there are exceptions but for most companies that is the general rule. Get some feedback from your existing investors what they want to see to support the next round.

Reblogging as much for myself as to share w/ others.

Pretty adaptable for any media people.

erik:

stevewoolf:

rickrey:

Dear reviewers,

I know many of you, and I like many of you. But there aren’t many of you. Our web video community is still relatively small, so we’ve all had the opportunity to commingle and get to know each other. This is great for socializing, but it introduces a dangerous conflict of interests. I say dangerous, because it’s really starting to hurt the industry. Let me tell you why.

When you don’t give a bad review, because you’re fearful of the repercussions, or you don’t want to hurt feelings, or you don’t want to lose potential sponsorship opportunities - you aren’t a reviewer anymore. You’re a marketer. Not that there’s anything wrong with marketing! We need more of it in online video. But you see the danger in posing as one thing when you’re the other, yes?

This industry needs you now more than ever. We need you to hunt down the unseen gems that I know are out there - a lot of it is probably happening outside our little bubble, e.g. random YouTube channels, filmmaking communities, etc. - so it’s going to require some leg work on your part. But we need you to do it, because the more truly “good” content that bubbles up, the easier it is to convince the naysayers that our industry is the real deal. I can’t speak for other producers, but I don’t want to be in the “minor leagues” of television, nor do I want that stigma associated with my projects. Raising the bar is always a good thing.

And just as important as finding the good stuff, you need to be more critical of the bad stuff. Like, way more critical. Because here’s the thing. You’re too fucking nice. And it seems like you pick-and-choose your reviews too carefully. Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s due to a lack of resources, whatever - in my opinion there is no good excuse. An announcement is not a review, it’s an announcement. If you announce something and hype it up, your readership will expect a review on it. Don’t back down on that. You will command a much more loyal and committed readership if you do this. Reputation is everything - you’re a journalist, and I know you know this.

So, I’m giving you blanket permission to bash the hell out of anything I work on from here on out, and I promise I won’t hate you, or disinvite you to parties, or not buy tickets to your events, or whatever other concern might be holding you back.

All I ask is that you’re fair and honest, and you don’t pull your punches.

Sincerely,
Rick

PS- this letter is not directed at any one person or organization.

I also invite myself to be bashed, if required.  :)

I’m with Rick and Steve. BASH AWAY!

Yep.