What It Takes To Get In “Trending Startups” On AngelList
You’re always told of how AngelList is so awesome for people looking for prospective investors and a host of other things. Of course, they never tell you what they’re doing to get investments, and nothing seems to be trickling down your way. Looking for money is a tough deal, especially when you’ve already spent a sizeable wad of cash to get your project moving.
The only way to really get attention is to make yourself more visible. One of those ways involves getting listed in Angel List’s Trending Startups newsletter, a newsletter emailed to thousands of potential investors around the globe. If you could get in Trending Startups, it probably won’t be long before you get a message from a suit with a little red wagon full of cash. But how do you get there?
Lifting The Curtain: Understanding How AL Works
First off, people starting out don’t really understand the mechanics of AngelList. They just create a profile to “be there” and hopefully run into someone. AngelList, much like Twitter, bases itself on followership. The more followers you have, the more people will be comfortable with writing you a check. Now we raise the problem of getting some followers. Your profile isn’t going to just attract followers out of the blue.
Having A Profile To Brag About Is Important
To start off, your profile needs to be filled out. The startup’s profile should be complete with a list of advisors and team members. If you don’t have advisors, you should get out in the sun more and actually interact with the world around you. Hand your business card out to people at trade shows. If you’re not ready to hustle, your startup won’t be much more than an idea with a couple of broke people behind it. Not only does the startup’s profile need to be complete, but you also need your team (and yourself) to fill out their personal profiles.
Get Social
After all that’s done, start following friends on AngelList through its social platform. This gathers interest, and some of them will also follow your startup. Once you’re done clicking and pointing your mouse everywhere, you’re going to need to start using that keyboard. Type up a nice, short status update bragging about accomplishments that your startup has made once in awhile.
Getting the picture already? All you have to do is hustle and find people to follow you. Look at other profiles of startups appearing on the “Trending” list and try to see what they’re doing that you’re not.
What To Do After You Get Some Cash
Oh, and when an investor actually shows interest and hauls some money your way, add that to your “previous investors” list. Startups that get good followings and funds often appear on AngelList’s Trending Startups list. The more visible you make yourself, the more likely you are to get moving. This sometimes involves getting your eyes out of the monitor and make things happen the old school way by attending trade shows. As you let more people know about what you’re doing, some of them will want to show some interest. Also don’t forget that people won’t be likely to share your page unless they’re told to!
Posted: February 4, 2013, 5:30 AM