Comments on: Shameless Plug: Avert Ye Eyes If This Bothers You http://www.startuphouston.com/2008/08/23/shameless-plug-avert-ye-eyes-if-this-bothers-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shameless-plug-avert-ye-eyes-if-this-bothers-you Let's Get Started! Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:28:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Ed Schipul http://www.startuphouston.com/2008/08/23/shameless-plug-avert-ye-eyes-if-this-bothers-you/comment-page-1/#comment-21193 Ed Schipul Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:28:40 +0000 http://www.startuphouston.com/?p=473#comment-21193 I agree with Marc, you have to put some limits on your time and your contributions. Otherwise consumption over runs. That said - maybe a middle ground is knowledge sharing through 3 or 5 minute videos on a weekly basis "Advice for a Startup" segments. General knowledge, distributed on YOUR schedule, that benefits the community and still builds your brand. Just a thought. And thanks again for everything you do! I agree with Marc, you have to put some limits on your time and your contributions. Otherwise consumption over runs.

That said – maybe a middle ground is knowledge sharing through 3 or 5 minute videos on a weekly basis “Advice for a Startup” segments. General knowledge, distributed on YOUR schedule, that benefits the community and still builds your brand. Just a thought.

And thanks again for everything you do!

]]> By: Marc Nathan http://www.startuphouston.com/2008/08/23/shameless-plug-avert-ye-eyes-if-this-bothers-you/comment-page-1/#comment-21152 Marc Nathan Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:29:06 +0000 http://www.startuphouston.com/?p=473#comment-21152 Josh, First of all, I don't think this is shameless plus - it's a long overdue realization. I tell all of my clients and potential clients, many who we share: you can't work for free, and you can't eat equity. My consulting business, Bulldog Financial ran like this for eight years taking every meeting and attending every community event on my own dime. In meeting with so many interesting companies and people over the years I believe that I have learned enough to be considered knowledgeable in the world of tech startups, but it was a strain on me personally. I started charging for my consulting services only after I struggled over whether it was ‘right’ or not – ultimately it was (and is). Anyone with specialized knowledge, whether you’re a doctor, lawyer or accountant should be able to charge a reasonable fee for their consulting. As passionate as I am about the startup community in Houston, the only thing that has financially allowed me to continue serving in this advisory capacity is my position with the Houston Technology Center. I think that if there is an obvious need in the market (there definitely is) and there are clients who can pay (certainly, based on what I’ve seen) – then you would do yourself a disservice *not* to charge a reasonable fee. Josh,
First of all, I don’t think this is shameless plus – it’s a long overdue realization. I tell all of my clients and potential clients, many who we share: you can’t work for free, and you can’t eat equity. My consulting business, Bulldog Financial ran like this for eight years taking every meeting and attending every community event on my own dime. In meeting with so many interesting companies and people over the years I believe that I have learned enough to be considered knowledgeable in the world of tech startups, but it was a strain on me personally. I started charging for my consulting services only after I struggled over whether it was ‘right’ or not – ultimately it was (and is). Anyone with specialized knowledge, whether you’re a doctor, lawyer or accountant should be able to charge a reasonable fee for their consulting. As passionate as I am about the startup community in Houston, the only thing that has financially allowed me to continue serving in this advisory capacity is my position with the Houston Technology Center. I think that if there is an obvious need in the market (there definitely is) and there are clients who can pay (certainly, based on what I’ve seen) – then you would do yourself a disservice *not* to charge a reasonable fee.

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