A quick note to folks that email me unsolicited investment decks and business plans, asking for meetings. I love to meet as many people as I can, but (unfortunately) I do not have the VC-firm army of associates to screen things that are the best fit.
Please don’t be offended if you email me to meet, and I reply with a bunch of questions first. I won’t waste your time; I’ll think about what you’re working on and ask the key, probing questions (e.g. they don’t come from a canned list).
And then, if it makes sense to meet, we’re already that much further ahead in the discussion!
(And an interesting side comment: you’d be surprised how many times someone sends me a cold email, I send questions back, then I never hear from them again. Not even, “Good questions! Let us do some work and get back to you.”)
Well, I am guilty of sending a cold email as well. Just a minute ago before reading this post actually. So one good thing I have in my favor is I welcome all questions… especially ones about how we’re different from the more established e-commerce entities.
I’d like to think that although we may not have first mover advantage, we do have a clear view of the playing field. Think Steve Jobs, and his omnipotent iPhone.