Being a startup founder of any kind is a daunting undertaking but there are plenty of resources out there with excellent advice on how to get your startup off the ground. But how do you find it and know what to trust? Obviously first up is the Social Penguin Blog but you already knew that ‘cos you’re here (editor – aw schucks Michael!). So what else is essential for the startup reading list?
A Smart Bear by Jason Cohen the founder of SmartBear Software is a consistently brilliant read. The blog covers a wide range of topics and often has guest posts by other startup founders. If you can set aside an hour or two its well worth spending the time looking through the back catalogue of posts. There are so many posts filled with simply awesome advice from people who have been there, done it and done it successfully.
Next on the list is Both Sides of the Table by Mark Suster, this is an interesting read because as the name suggests Mark has been on both sides of the investment game. Mark describes himself as “a 2x entrepreneur who has gone to the Dark Side of VC”. In my opinion his posts are essential reading and give a fantastic insight into funding and investment. Even if investment is not your thing Both Sides of the Table is well worth a read; Mark also covers topics such as social media and marketing in his posts.
Another quality addition to the list is Scott Allison’s blog. Scott is the founder of team management web app Teamly which is based in London. Scott doesn’t blog too often but its worth a visit for the “advice” tab alone. Scott is also active on Twitter and links to a lot of great content.
Angel investors can be essential when getting your startup idea up and running and transformed into a successful business so it goes without saying one should feature on the Startup Reading List and that would be Business Angel Blog by Permjot Valia. Permjot has a acted as an angel investor for a variety of startups, including those not strictly tech and has interests globally from Canada to Cape Town. His posts are of a very high quality and insightful on a range of topics.
Whilst relevant to all tech startups for startups from the homeland of Dave, Startup Cafe and RookieOven (hands up, I run this blog) should be of great interest. Both are trying to raise awareness of startups in Scotland and give great advice. My last post on The Social Penguin Blog highlighted the bad points of the Scottish startup scene but these two sites are working hard to highlight the best and there is plenty of it.
So there is my take on essential reading for a startup but what blogs would you say a startup should be reading?
Michael Hayes is likely to take over the world at any minute and blogs over at Rookie Oven
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The Weird World of the Blog Spam Comment
We love it when people take the time to comment on our posts, it makes us feel warm inside and spreads a big smile across Dave’s face (yes, Penguins can smile). Real and enriching comments make us smile, but some of the spam comments that get picked up by our Sardine powered spam filter make us straight up laugh-out-loud (or ‘lol if you are hip. Or under 16). In an attempt to add a little light-hearted fun to the pages of The Social Penguin we thought we would share some of the ridiculous attempts at gaining a link via a really stupid spam blog comment…
The Tarot Comment
‘Tarot can help you in many areas of your life as long as these facets matter to your non materialistic self. A typical field of application is love. Every individual requires love in his life to be truly happy. Love Tarot will help you in your pursuit for genuine love’
When Dave read this, he laughed so hard, he actually peed a little. Besides, everyone knows Tarot is a load of BS! Beware the Tarot-bot!
The Tragic Accident Comment
‘Grateful beyond words: missed by seconds walking thru a crosswalk at the beach in front of a 3 car accident (Michael Murdock stopped to take sand out of his shoe). Was able to support those stuck in their mangled cars until the firetrucks arrived. I think everyone will be ok…just saying some prayers today.’
Damn you Michael Murdock!!! Bizarre.
Blog Spamwich Anyone? (credit - http://ticklemykittens.com)
The Vague ‘Love Your Work’ Comment
‘Comfortably, the article post is during truthfulness a hottest on this subject well known subject matter. I agree with ones conclusions and often will desperately look ahead to your updates . Saying thanks a lot will not just be sufficient, for ones wonderful ability in your producing. I will immediately grab ones own feed to stay knowledgeable from any sort of update versions. Amazing get the done and much success with your business results!’
Comfortably, this comments stinks like a bucket of over-ripe prawns.
The Insomniac Comment
‘I’m grumpy. I didn’t go to bed until about 3 last night, I had to get up when Emery started running around. All morning my face felt like it was punched, I tried to take a nap but the wind woke Emery up early from hers, so she laid in bed with me, but would not go to sleep, so my nap was interrupted, grrr!’
Emery sounds like a really great person.
Even Insomniacs can spam! (credit - http://www.channels.com)
The Angry Fashion Fan Comment
‘I only like items that are brand new from urban outfitters or aritzia. If you got jackshit then don’t ask me for trades. I WILL ALMOST ALWAYS SAY NO TO TRADES. nor will I bother to look at your albums.’
OKAY MAN TAKE A CHILL PILL AND GO SPAM SOMEWHERE ELSE!
The Generic Social Media Comment
‘Wow, lots to digest. Thanks for generously sharing this useful info. Especially appreciate the acknowledgment that for social media content, the goal may not be tens of thousands of fans but a few hundred solid ones.’
Ooooh this one must be real as it mentions social media and a fact! Sorry but no, they leave the same one on every post. And they can’t spell.
The Grammar Praising Comment
‘Thanks for truly using allowable grammar. Roughly all sites were absolute gibberish. Fabulous website & writing skills. You my friend have Talent! I just StumbledUpon this. Not bad. I’ll give it a thumbs up.’
Mike’s grammar is questionable at best. (Dave)
So there you go folks, a look at the bizarre world of blog comment spam. Got a blog and some funny comments to share? Tell us in the comments section below please!
Mike
Follow @mike_mcgrail