🎂 Startup ROI Turns 1!
Qualitative lessons from a year unlike any other (for me, idk about you)
If it weren't for the automatic LinkedIn reminder, I may just have blown past this milestone without a second thought. Maybe it's because it doesn't really feel like work, or perhaps it's the fact that time has really just blown by, but it's hard to believe that this little project turns 1 today (well, yesterday).
Most of my newsletter idols on the internet pull together a data-driven summary of their success: subscriber count, average reads, demographic make-up of their audience. In fact, when I started outlining my objectives for this newsletter, I borrowed a number of their target metrics and tailored them for myself, hoping that setting some goals would drive productivity. And while the newsletter has grown (don't worry, you're still a very special reader in this niche corner of the internet), I am certainly not a technorati demi-god. And though my early post-launch days were fraught with refreshing Google Analytics dashboards and Twitter stats, I've come to learn that there is quite a lot of intrinsic value in the process I've undertaken and the people I've come across in this relatively short time.
So on this here 1-year anniversary, I'd like to give a qualitative summary of my early days as a newsletter writer/podcaster/creator or whatever else you'd like to label it.
Before I dive into a series of cliché subtitles followed by some (hopefully) sincere and worthwhile information, I've got an important message for you, dear reader:
I'm well aware of the infinite amount of content out there and the ever-increasing desire for said content to reach your inbox and then, if lucky, your eyeballs. Not to mention, written content merits an extra kudos! Who reads anymore when you can stare into the abyss of short-form video aka TikTok, where I'm now partially responsible for feeding the algorithm (more on that later).
In any event, I'm grateful to have a handful of dedicated readers, collaborators and guests. Merci!
The Fruits of My Creator Labor
Quick lessons learned for what it's worth…
Quality over Quantity
Creating content for content's sake is just about as sad as it gets. I made a rule early on that I wouldn't pander to algorithms, Twitter trends or public demand (I've mostly adhered to this). For content to work, it has to have purpose, authenticity and inherent value. My original cadence was a weekly post and I stuck to it until I had some personal challenges that sidelined these efforts. Undoubtedly, this route takes longer and proves much harder to get traction, but I think the long-term benefits (sustainable, real audience) outweigh the near term costs (screaming into the void).
Keep Producing
Producing is working and working is learning. You might not get the viral hits you are looking for but there's value in perfecting the craft. I haven't been invited to meet President Macron (not that that was a goal or anything…) but I have given talks at Station F, been recruited by VC funds, been introduced to other creators around the world, and spoken to some relatively, heavy-hitting tech celebs. By writing and recording I've built a repository of content that reflects on my personal and professional brand. It's something I can point to as a reference or as a CV. It opens doors, starts conversations and generates new ideas. It doesn't always feel like there's momentum, but the things you create start to work for you while you're sleeping.
Invest in People
I don't mean this literally, unless you really want to and have the funds. What I mean is that this whole project ended up being one amazing networking exercise. I expected to meet a few founders here and there for interviews, but I've been overwhelmed by the energy and support from strangers who want to help, meet up for coffee, make introductions or collaborate on something. I've met hundreds of people, made several new friends (real friends, not just internet friends) and started a couple of lasting professional relationships. I've said it before and I'll say it again: people generally want to help. I've been shocked by responses after sliding into the DMs of a quasi-celebrity (again, by tech startup standards, at least). That goes for me too — if you want to meet up or chat or ask questions — I want to help if & where I can.
This seems like a good place to plug another side project: my monthly content & community dinner. Batch #1 was a huge success and I've got another one coming up next week. This is a real testament to the get together motto — what's the value of living in a city like Paris if you can't enjoy good food, wine & the company of potential friends & business partners?! All with a common theme, of course:
Try New Things
When I started this project, I made a painstaking effort to map out each and every step, architecting the phases towards world domination (well, tech world). But in the words of Winston Churchill, “Plans are of little importance, planning is essential.” The reality on the ground is that things change every day. What I thought would be a pure-play newsletter has turned into multiple, parallel lines of business without a clear end goal in sight. But that's okay, things can be messy and weird and divergent to start — the longer term picture is just starting to come into focus, but it required that I open the aperture just a bit.
What have you done for me lately?
Do you really have to ask? My org structure isn't quite as complex as Berkshire Hathaway's but it's moving in that direction. Here are all my current projects & where you can find the related output:
👑 Startup ROI 👑
→ mostly 🇫🇷 French Tech deep dives, also distribution for interviews, consider this my HQ
You're already here. It's my tried and true launching pad for all things I create. If you haven't already, subscribe below or follow me on Twitter for regular banter.
🧠 Finding Genius 🧠
→ mostly talking to 🇪🇺 EU entrepreneurs & investors about the ecosystem and scaling a business within their industry
Remember when I said this whole newsletter thing was a good networking exercise? Well, this is case in point. I met Kunal Mehta through a mutual friend and over coffee he shared some of his work. He's a long-time investor, turned author and speaker and hosts a video series called Finding Genius. We hit it off and the next thing you know, I'm helping expand the brand to Europe.
This serves as a mechanism for expanding my reach beyond France and my target beyond strictly founders. I release weekly-ish interviews with Entrepreneurs & Investors across Europe. You can check out my YouTube playlist here.
Did I mention, I'm a TikTok-er now? Smash the follow or give me a ❤️ so that the powers that be (our algorithmic overlords) surface my vids to the widest audience.
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💸 VC-Boi 💸
→ mostly me producing content and going to VC related events (more to come…)
I'm yet to don a grey Patagonia vest but I am definitively in the world of venture capital. I joined Revaia as an operating partner, leading content and community efforts. They are an ESG-focused growth equity fund backing companies like Aircall, Algolia, Welcome to the Jungle and Planity (among others!). Some of my writing for them is featured on Medium where you can follow along if you so wish!
I also managed to secure my very first sponsor, Vauban, a startup building the platform for the future of private investing. I interviewed their founder a couple weeks back. It was very cool that this materialized. Nothing like a little validation (financial or otherwise) to deliver a bit of motivation.