Startup Real Talk

Startup Real Talk offers practical guidance and insights for startup founders, covering the challenges and strategies involved in building and leading a startup. It addresses themes such as crafting a compelling company narrative, leadership, fundraising, managing tough times, dealing with rejection, and optimizing operations.

Leadership and Management Startup Fundraising Strategic Planning Operational Efficiency Investor Relations Product Development Team Building Financial Management

The hottest Substack posts of Startup Real Talk

And their main takeaways

When should you cross-sell?

291 implied HN points • 21 May 25
💼 Business Marketing Sales Growth Strategies Finance
  1. Don't rush to cross-sell. In the beginning, most customers may not buy extra products from you, so it's better to focus on growing your customer base first.
  2. Avoid getting distracted by cross-selling. Stick to what you do best to keep your business moving forward.
  3. Wait until your customer count is larger before cross-selling. The more customers you have, the better the chances of successfully selling additional products.

Just refund them

388 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Customer Service Startup Advice Entrepreneurship Business strategy
  1. Refunding unhappy customers quickly can save you time and effort. It's often better to give them what they want instead of arguing.
  2. Fighting over refunds can hurt your reputation. A dissatisfied customer might share their bad experience with others, which could cost you more in the long run.
  3. There are limits to refunds. You shouldn't give back more than the amount paid, and if a customer is extremely dissatisfied, it might be best to part ways.

Should you ever talk smack about your competitors?

145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Marketing Strategy Competition Entrepreneurship
  1. It's usually not a good idea to criticize your competitors because it can make you appear weak. However, if you're a small player facing a giant competitor, it can be an exciting story to share.
  2. If you’re similar in size to your competitor, it's best to minimize mentions of them. Acknowledging them can give them more power, so keep your focus on your own strengths.
  3. If you’re the big player in the market, try to shift the conversation to something more positive about your brand. Being the giant can bring challenges, so it's wise to manage the narrative carefully.

Don't hunt, set traps

291 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Sales Marketing Customer Acquisition Growth Strategies
  1. It's better to set up systems for getting customers rather than just trying to close individual sales. This way, you can get more customers efficiently over time.
  2. Once your product fits the market, focus on creating repeatable ways to attract customers. This is more valuable than closing one deal at a time.
  3. Like setting traps for hunting, having a continuous lead system helps your business succeed without relying on just one person for sales.

How to Exhibit at a Trade Show

242 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Sales Networking Strategy Events
  1. Always stand in front of your booth to grab attention. Being visible helps you connect with more people.
  2. Start conversations by inviting passersby in with something interesting, like a giveaway. This makes it easier to engage them.
  3. Follow up quickly after the event. Use your notes to personalize your messages so people remember you and what you discussed.
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You’re going to hire the wrong executive

194 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
💼 Business Business Strategies Company growth
  1. When hiring an executive, ensure they have the necessary experience for the size and stage of your company.
  2. Don't just rely on a candidate's impressive resume - make sure they have the right expertise for your specific business needs.
  3. Be aware of signs that your executive may not be willing to put in the necessary effort, and be prepared to make tough decisions if needed.

Your startup has to be inevitable

3 HN points • 03 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Investing Innovation Marketing
  1. To attract investors, employees, and customers, your startup needs a compelling story about why its success is a sure thing.
  2. A good story helps you stand out from other startups, while a bad story makes you forgettable.
  3. Craft your startup narrative with a sense of inevitability, highlighting the current problem, a better future, and why your company is the one to make it happen.

Be a rocketship or leave a big crater

1 HN point • 18 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Investors Business Growth Financial Strategy
  1. Venture capital investors expect high returns, so startups need to aim to be either hugely successful or risk being considered failures.
  2. In the world of venture-backed startups, growth is essential - if a business can't sustain growth, it may face failure.
  3. Founders should carefully assess if venture capital funding aligns with their business goals and take steps to mitigate potential misaligned interests with investors.