During times of distress, great startups often emerge. Hewlett-Packard rose up at the end of the depression and FedEx was born during the oil crisis. Recently, tiny Airbnb came to be. During the "no-money-to-pay-the-rent crisis, the founders started renting out extra space to travelers on a budget. The big lesson learned is that difficult times often lead to opportunity.
See:Travel the world with Airbnb
So John Battelle has some lessons and advice. The founder of Federated Media, Industry Standard, and the author of "The Search" tells entrepreneurs to sell as little of the company as possible.Batelle also preaches to admit what you are not good at and realize what you are good at.
See: John Battelle on conversational marketing
This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Smule, the creators of iPhone applications like Ocarina, has a cool "Feel the Love" contest running. Users who have Leaf Trombone can register to win $500 at https://www.smule.com/. You just need to sign-up, and get as much love from your friends as possible. They can listen to your registered performance, and send you love using Leaf Trombone or Leaf Trombone Lite- which is free! Whoever gets the most love wins!
See: Smule.com for details
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Startup/Business
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Airbnb.com is the “Ebay of space.” The online marketplace allows anyone from private residents to commercial properties to rent out their extra space. The reputation-based site allows for user reviews, verification, and online transactions, for which Airbnb takes a commission. As of June, 2009, the San Francisco-based company has listings in over 1062 cities in 76 countries.
Startup/Business
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Smule develops interactive sonic applications for the iPhone and other technology platforms. Smule is developing the new sonic network, connecting users across the globe through expressive audio. Smule's Ocarina, I Am T-Pain, and Leaf Trombone have set the standard for iPhone applications, combining innovative uses of the hardware with compelling social experiences.
Startup/Business
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At FM, we believe that the best conversations are those where all parties are engaged, informed, and valued. Working with our marketing and publishing partners, Federated Media is helping to define this innovative form of online marketing: a three-way dialog among creators, audiences, and marketers.
FM represents outstanding authors whose sites cater to cultural influencers, technology decision makers, and business leaders. Our first federation, focused on digital culture, currently reaches millions and millions of readers every month. New federations in the media/entertainment, parenting, and small business categories, representing millions of entrepreneurs, consumers, and families, are in the process of launching as well.
In addition to establishing a devoted following, each site in the FM fold subscribes to a core set of values: strong voice and point of view, accuracy to the facts, engagement with its community, responsibility, integrity and transparency.
