Disqus - Latest Comments for TraceCohen

Re: How to select your angel round valuation (aka “the $4m rule”)

Trace Cohen — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 09:06:02 -0000

100% agree as I see it all the time, well said! I'd love to know what the other top reasons are for most angels passing... traction, team, industry etc.

Hopefully the "dumb tourist money" goes away soon too.

Re: Tommy John's new underwear: 'No wedgie' guarantee

Trace Cohen — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 15:43:26 -0000

This is the best underwear I've ever had and won't wear anything else.

Re: This NYC Startup Lets You Swipe the Coolest Products on Mobile

Trace Cohen — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:29:12 -0000

Thanks so much for a great interview!

Re: 6 Simple Steps for Your Next Green Event

Trace Cohen — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 11:45:11 -0000

I would also add that printing less and doing more digital initiatives is a great way to cut down on waste, leftovers and your carbon footprint.

Re: Our love/hate relationship with PR

Trace Cohen — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 08:52:00 -0000

Expectations.

I work with tech startups in NYC and everyone I talk to wants to be covered on TechCrunch, Mashable, NYT, WSJ etc. Those are some pretty lofty expectations off the bat that don't create friendly relationships moving forwards. I've got my clients in all of these publications and it usually helps with credibility (bragging rights) more than visibility. Then you blame us for bad results.

The other reason to be completely honest, is that it is hard to measure what we do because a lot of it is strategy, communications and branding, assuming you have a community to work with or that we have to build it for you from the ground up. With social media, we don't have to rely so much on the media to cover our stories as we can directly engage with your customers/community.

Lastly and the one I hate most is that you usually hire us for a 3-month stint like a hired gun and expect results right away. This is why a lot of entrepreneurs/companies feel burned and have a bad taste in their mouth. I won't work with anyone if it's for less than 6-months.

So the blame goes both way because PR is hard. We rely somewhat (a lot) on "the media" (what's left of it) to cover our clients but on the flip side, a lot of entrepreneurs can be very naive when it comes to PR.

Just a thought: People always hate on PR but you give us the smallest budgets right? $2k/$5k a month, which is VERY low, yet companies will throw money ($10k+) on a one time advertising campaign that is successful if .001% people view/click it with absolutely no measurement whatever. I can go on...

Re: Are we overplaying the 'unicorn' game? - The Term Sheet: Fortune's deals blogTerm Sheet

Trace Cohen — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 10:32:24 -0000

It's all just a numbers game of how much % everyone gets for an eventual exit (purchase or IPO). Everyone needs to remember that Angels and VCs are not in the investing business, they are in the "exits" business.

The other issue based on your point of the smaller valuations but 10x hits, that I agree with, is that most of these deals aren't publicly announced or readily available so it's hard to report on all of it. 9 out of 10 deals with fail and who wants to let everyone know about those companies? No one.

Re: Tell the World About Trade Shows

Trace Cohen — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:16:34 -0000

I know you ask those tough questions, which I why I follow you and comment on your comments because you're always insightful!

How do we help the organizers have those answers though? I think we need to find a way to incentivize them so they want to have those answers readily available. What do you think is stopping them from answer the questions now?

Re: Tell the World About Trade Shows

Trace Cohen — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 09:36:32 -0000

To your point though, most shows only focus on the “economical” impact they have on a city because that’s the only information they can get generally right away. While everyone knows that some type of business occurred at the show, most of that is private information or leads generated that will hopefully turn into sales months or years down the line. Business owners will tell you they made sales or relationships because of the show, but will never disclose how much money they made.

And I disagree that SXSW and other shows do a good job at letting you know what products or services are launched there. The only way you can find out is based on what the media cover, which is very little of the overall news. Most people going to SXSW have no idea that there are almost 500 exhibitors in the convention center.

The underlying issue is that there aren’t enough media/writers to cover ALL the news coming out of a show. CES is amazing and has 3200 exhibitors, announcing 20,000 new products to 150,000 people and 5000 registered media (most of any show). The next few shows have only a few hundred media at most and are they at the show to report on the exhibitors or the show as a whole? The show needs to become their own media outlet to tell the world about themselves.

Re: Tell the World About Trade Shows

Trace Cohen — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 09:17:30 -0000

A new piece of equipment did launch that can better repair potholes :) http://conexpoconagg.com/DM...

Re: The 4 Big Data (Points) for Trade Shows

Trace Cohen — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 15:35:51 -0000

All great points and for #5 I would put news/social as another way to enhance the data they provide and don't provide you. If they login through facebook/twitter/linkedin there is so much more data and interactions that you can learn, which is very valuable to show management and exhibitors. Monitization wise, exhibitors can buy lists of highly targeted attendees who might be interested in their products/services. Just one of many possibilities.

Re: Associations Should Do More To Incubate Innovative Ideas

Trace Cohen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:11:47 -0000

Very interesting take on this idea, which I totally understand. I'm a startup in the event space and am seeing this happening not just for us but other companies and associations trying to solve issues in their respective industries.

The problem I see, as you suggested, is the association funding the initial part of it as it affects a small group only in their industry. They have very tight budgets that they spend on their shows, meetings and other initiatives and generally don't have the time to focus on new "tech" that they can run. This is just an observation, so I hope I'm wrong as it would be great!

I am seeing them be more open minded and willing to try new tech or ideas that companies outside their industry pitch them, that can help solve some of their problems. So while they might not start them, they can embrace ways to improve aspects of their show or industry.

Re: Should Attendees Have Access to Some Content Before a Meeting?

Trace Cohen — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:56:11 -0000

I think it's a great idea to share content with attendees before a show starts is a great idea. There is so much going on at a show, it's hard to keep track of it and find out what their interested in, so sending them news, information and media is a great way to keep them engaged before, during and after a show.

Exhibitors will want you to send out all their news so they can get more people coming to their booth. Speakers will want you to send out blurbs and topics that they will speak about so they can draw bigger crowds. It's a win-win for everyone. And especially if the news is digitally online, so everyone so tweet/facebook it for a bigger reach.

Re: Want to Enhance Your Web Presence Across Multiple Shows?

Trace Cohen — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:29:52 -0000

This is great to see the larger shows leading the way when it comes to content/news advocation and syndication of their exhibitors. There is so much news as shows that is underutilized in so many ways - such a large opportunity!

Re: Is Blue Bottle a 'dumb' investment? - The Term Sheet: Fortune's deals blogTerm Sheet

Trace Cohen — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:50:53 -0000

We won't know for years if it's dumb or smart but $26M isn't much for these VCs to pool together to diversify their portfolio. They are also betting on the founder to figure it out, as he has in the past.

Trust me, that have made "dumber" investments over the years - most of which were never made public or discussed, just faded away.

Re: Why Exhibitions are the best form of Marketing

Trace Cohen — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:32:26 -0000

Events and trade shows are an amazing business anomaly that bring together the entire industry for a few days to collaborate and do business.

Re: VCs and angels take aim, but entrepreneurs caught in crosshairs - The Term Sheet: Fortune's deals blogTerm Sheet

Trace Cohen — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 10:59:44 -0000

Angels fund 90% of startup investments, so they are getting in at lower valuations and taking the bigger risk of working with less proven businesses. VCs want to get in earlier because they want the higher multiple returns (lower valuations), sometimes companies won't need a follow on round and the fact that it takes less capital to start a company these days.

I won't even speculate about crowd-funding for equity as the JOBS act still has another 6 months before the gov't will get back to us with some convoluted answer.

Re: What if successful startups are just lucky?

Trace Cohen — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 22:59:13 -0000

There is definitely an element of "luck" when it comes to a startup - meeting the right person, good timing, changing laws, press etc. Luck can only take you so far though, so kudos to everyone lucky who was able to scale and sustain their business.

Re: Trade shows: How to make sure you're heard when everyone's screaming

Trace Cohen — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 09:32:22 -0000

Great points! I would also like to add in that the use of social media can be very helpful as well with 1,000 companies on the show floor. If all your company news is easy to find online, you can drive more interest and traffic to your booth, hopefully increasing your leads.

Re: Five Global Meetings Megatrends

Trace Cohen — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 18:21:38 -0000

Technology will be a huge trend moving forwards as conference organizers figure out how to use it to their benefit - especially digital content and social media.

Re: Why are Internet startups raising so much, so fast - The Term Sheet: Fortune's deals blogTerm Sheet

Trace Cohen — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 11:59:02 -0000

I don't think three companies represent the world of "internet startups." But there are a few reason why they would raise this money when they don't appear to really need it. 1) Everyone wants in - how often do you get an opportunity to invest in a company with so much "potential." 2) Take money while you can, not because it's available but you dont want to ever worry about not having enough should something happen. 3) Go big or go home - VCs have a business model too and need the BIG hit and not some OK acquisition that won't give them a big ROI.

Re: How to Tweet From an Event [Infographic]

Trace Cohen — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 11:09:13 -0000

I like that term "qualitative quantity." It will exist when the expos push it as the thought leaders for their industries. More social content will facilitate leads and more sales.

Re: How to Tweet From an Event [Infographic]

Trace Cohen — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:50:10 -0000

It's always unfortunate when people tweet at shows and forget the # - it's a built in audience! The tech space has a lot of #twomiting but outside of it, in the b2b space, very few people tweet or have twitter accounts (personal or professional). We need to figure out how to unlock that potential and get them more involved.

Re: Catfather of the Internet: Just Because Anyone Can Become An Angel Investor Doesn’t Mean They Should

Trace Cohen — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:17:37 -0000

Great points and totally agree - the dilemma of smart money v dumb money. There are to many "angel investors" giving money to companies that they know nothing about because it sounds good, they're excited and want to make a lot of money.

The syndicate part is interesting, though I don't fully back it yet. It's still a little of follow the leader, hopefully they know something that I don't. Best of luck!

Re: Replacing a Bridge in 18 Hours or Less

Trace Cohen — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 12:53:57 -0000

Having driven on that bridge and I-84 a lot, that was much needed fix. Awesome video!

Re: How Do you Motivate Yourself and Stay Focused?

Trace Cohen — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 21:56:31 -0000

This is what most startups founders I know feel every day - myself included. I love when I'm talking to one who finally opens up to me and understands that I know exactly how they feel and that they're not alone or crazy.

Everyone wants to have a startup because they read all of the funding, IPO and glamorous news but that's just the tip of it. Twitter, Facebook and all the other companies are 7 year over night successes of hard work, planning and execution.

I can't get through my days without my noise cancellation headphones