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DO AS I SAY
DO AS I SAY episodes
- 13: Does TikTok marketing work?? (with 1B+ view creator/founder Michael Sikand)
THE GUEST
Michael Sikand is one of the co-hosts of the Out Future podcast, the entrepreneurship podcast for young people. Before this, and while he was in college, Michael co-founded a TikTok' business media' business aimed at Gen Z also called Our Future, that he sold to Morning Brew this year as a 22-year-old. Michael is obsessed with business and what makes people win, which is where his entire media empire started. Michael is an expert at story-telling and Gen-Z media.
THE QUESTIONS
[6:06] Should we use TikTok for B2B marketing? A B2B founder questions whether it's possible to market to his customers using short-form media effectively.
Absolutely! TikTok can be a super effective tool for marketing a B2B business.
While TikTok started out with a very young audience, like all social platforms - the audience demographic has changed a lot, and the primary user is now a millennial.
Organic short-form content, when done right, can be one the most cost-effective marketing tactics out there.
[14:51] How do I profit from a rising Youtuber or Tiktoker? A young entrepreneur has a knack for spotting content creators on the rise and wants to know how to make money in this space.
Creators are people and not businesses, so there is no stock market you can bet on in this world.
The creator economy is still growing, so the best way to make money here is to spot a creator you believe in and then add value! Edit, produce, find partnerships, or anything you like. But add value first and grow with them.
[22:43] Is paid media still working for you? After years of cheap paid marketing, a founder is struggling to find success with paid media.
While paid media was a super effective and cheap way to acquire clients, things have changed. This is no longer the silver bullet it once was.
Paid media can still have some success, but it is not cheap or easy.
The best way to rapidly scale a business through marketing is to find the next wave early. Paid ads were one of those waves, and we are seeing organic content coming to the end of its wave. You constantly need to be changing and searching for the next wave.
[27:58] Sponsored a TikToker with 1M followers and got only 15 clicks. Is this normal? A founder spends $1500 on a campaign with a creator and doesn't see immediate results.
Yes, this is absolutely normal. Short-form content is great for capturing attention at scale, but it does not convert to sales quickly at all.
The only way to win in content marketing is to play the long game, create a consistent strategy, and invest over time. This will take a while, but you will start to have success.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
https://miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Michael Sikand
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsikand/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/michaelsikand
Our Future Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@OurFuturePod
My links
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joelditrapani
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: https://cal.com/joelditrapani
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: https://joelditrapani.com/
Newsletter: https://joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/
36 min - 12: How do you launch a new feature? (with ex-Amazon Product Manager Tanmay Jain)
THE GUEST
Tanmay Jain is the founder of Qwokka, the first stop for movies & tv shows combining the powers of social and AI. Tanmay is a really smart product thinker, so smart in fact he has the most insane product resume I could imagine. Before Qwokka, Tanmay worked at Atlassian, Amazon and Canva building and leading product teams - and we have all used those platforms so we know Tanmay knows how to build cool shit. He also won the Apple App of the year award and the Product Hunt Golden Kitty just to bolster his credentials. Tanmay is an expert product manager and product lead.
THE QUESTIONS
[8:33] Im quitting: A founder has reached their breaking point and is considering quitting their startup. We talk through the steps you should consider when working out if you should continue or call it quits on your own journey.
[22:14] Giving away my equity: A solo founder is looking to bring on a co-founder and doesn’t know how much equity to give away. We breakdown how to split up equity in the early days (hint: always go as even as you can).
[30:59] How do you launch a new feature? A product lead doesn’t know the right process to launch new features in their business. So we explore what to consider when launching a new product and break down how Canva and Amazon launch their new features.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
https://miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Tanmay Jain
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanmay-jain-4a516083/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/tanmay_jain_
Qwokka: https://www.qwokka.io/
My links
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joelditrapani
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: https://cal.com/joelditrapani
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: https://joelditrapani.com/
Newsletter: https://joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/
44 min - 11: Finding good software engineers (with Lauren Peate)
THE GUEST
Lauren Peate is the founder & CEO of Multitudes, a startup born out of New Zealand that helps organizations provide engineering effectiveness metrics (minus the creepiness). Multitudes shows engineering teams what conversations they need to have to deliver well without burning people out. After studying at Stanford, Lauren has spent her career trying out consulting and venture but has constantly been drawn back to building her own businesses, and Multitudes is startup #3! Outside of continually building her own business, Lauren spends a lot of time giving back to the startup community and building up the ecosystem in New Zealand. Lauren is an absolute expert at understanding what makes great engineering teams work.
THE QUESTIONS
[10:15] How are Engineering and Product Management usually organized? We break down how product management and engineering teams should be structured.
[25:05] Where to find good software engineers? We work through the process to find and hire an exceptional engineering team.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
https://miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Lauren Peate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lpeate/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lmpeate
Multitudes: https://www.multitudes.co/
My links
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joelditrapani
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CVikUi4KcITAB4F15n5tZ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: https://cal.com/joelditrapani
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: https://joelditrapani.com/
Newsletter: https://joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/
50 min - 10: Does AI live up to they hype? (with Alexa Lead Polly Allen)
THE GUEST
Polly Allen is an AI product coach, an AI advisor, and the founder of AI Career Boost. Ai Career Boost is the world’s first AI-focused career accelerator, helping leaders thrive in business roles for AI and Machine Learning projects. Before this, Polly worked in software and product roles at a range of incredible companies but most notably led the development of the first generative AI used by Alexa at Amazon. On top of all of this, Polly is also the co-host of the AI After Hours podcast.
Polly is an absolute expert at everything AI and what it actually means for a business.
THE QUESTIONS
[6:03] Does Generative AI like ChatGPT live up to its hype? We break down AI's state and how it impacts the world.
[20:50] Scaling a company with 2x people? We work through the impact of AI on big tech businesses and explore if one person can start a billion-dollar company.
[28:05] What are your thoughts on AI startup moats? We run through what moats businesses have and how they can compete with OpenAI in an AI world.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
https://miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Polly Allen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollymallen/
Design and Build Conversational AI [Live Course]: https://www.reforge.com/design-and-build-conversational-ai/2023-10-23
AI Career Boost: https://www.aicareerboost.com/
AI After Hours Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@AIAfterHours-sh9qc
My links
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joelditrapani
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: https://cal.com/joelditrapani
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: https://joelditrapani.com/
Newsletter: https://joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/
43 min - 9: Radical Candor (with NY Times Best Selling Author Kim Scott)
THE GUEST
Kim Scott is the NY Times best-selling author of Just Work and Radical Candor! She is also the CEO & co-founder of Candor, a company that helps people put the ideas from her books into practice. Before becoming an author, Kim was also a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other major tech companies, helping executives become exceptional leaders. On top of this already incredible resume, Kim was a faculty member at Apple University and led the AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. Kim is an absolute expert at managing and building teams.
THE QUESTIONS
[8:38] How can I lead a team as an introvert? An introvert has been given a new leadership position and struggles to emulate the loud and charismatic leaders she has seen in the movies. We break down what it takes for an introvert to be a great leader.
[23:44] Is my manager too strict? After some jerk-like behavior from their new manager, an employee wonders if their manager is in the right or if they should quit? We discuss how to approach a problematic manager to try and mend broken working relationships.
[35:05] How to manage friends? A team member is promoted and manages many of their old peers and friends; the new dynamic causes tension and awkwardness. We run through the steps to create the right team dynamics and relationships.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
https://miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Kim Scott
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimm4/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/kimballscott
Radical Candor: https://www.radicalcandor.com/
Just Work: https://www.justworktogether.com/the-book
The Feedback Loop: https://courses.radicalcandor.com/
My links
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joelditrapani
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: https://cal.com/joelditrapani
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: https://joelditrapani.com/
Newsletter: https://joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/
47 min - 8: How much do founders pay themselves? (with Early-Stage Investor Zaz Floreani)
THE GUEST
Zaz Floreani is an early-staged operator turned investor, she is currently a Partner at FirstMile Ventures and is the Entrepreneur In Residence at UT Austin, where she helps mold the next generation of innovators. Zaz is a powerhouse in the Austin startup scene, known for her keen eye for potential and her commitment to nurturing new ideas. Outside of work, Zaz is a gourmet food enthusiast with a love for exploring Austin's dynamic food scene. Her insights into entrepreneurship and her knack for storytelling means she gives exceptionally good advice. Zaz is an expert at understanding the real value in early-stage startups and helping them to grow.
THE QUESTIONS
[7:47] How much should I pay myself? A new founder is putting together their first ever financial model and is lost on the founder salary line. We dive into a taboo topic most people never bring up and explore how much an early-stage founder should actually pay themselves.
[18:29] Turning down money: A new founder is offered a huge angel investment and wonders about the downsides of early capital. We talk through the investment process and the ways to protect both the founder and investor.
[28:01] My co-founder left: Right before a big investor pitch a co-founder leaves the business and leaves the company feeling helpless. We run through the steps and how the remaining founder should actually run the meeting.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
https://miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Zaz Floreani
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/zazfloreani/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/zazafloreani
Email: [email protected]
First Mile Ventures: https://firstmilevc.com/
My links
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joelditrapani
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: https://cal.com/joelditrapani
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: https://joelditrapani.com/
Newsletter: https://joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/
36 min - 7: Bad product strategy (with HealthTech Founder Suf Patel)
THE GUEST
Suf Patel is just really freaking good at product. Suf runs a truly end-to-end consultancy for health businesses, Orbit29, where he continually creates incredible products that help people. On top of this, he is currently working as the Head of Product at my scale-up Vygo and is constantly challenging me and my business to build a better product. We debate a lot, and I leave every conversation smarter because of him. Previously, Suf has built out the entire product org for Movember from scratch, one of the coolest charities in the world supporting men's health. Suf is an expert at building products and wrangling product teams; he is a master of urgency.
THE QUESTIONS
[05:08] Mentor stealing my idea? A mentor starts acting cagey and starts to try and steal a young founder's idea and work.
[14:54] Fix my bad product strategy: A product lead at a startup is struggling with an unfocused product strategy and leaders who all want different things.
[24:05] We have no product strategy: A new founder is in charge of the product side of the business but doesn't know how to shape the product strategy or keep the team rowing in the same direction.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Suf Patel
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sufiyanpatel/
Orbit29: orbit29.com/
My links
Youtube: youtu.be/C7vw0FmUh5E
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: cal.com/joelditrapani/
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: joelditrapani.com
Newsletter: joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/#/portal/signup
42 min - 6: Our startup will fail (with Stedman Blake Hood)
THE GUEST
Stedman Blake Hood is the CEO and one of the co-founders of Dispatch, a priority inbox for Slack, and one of my favorite products. Before Dispatch, Stedman built and sold a startup in the Bay Area, which most founders dream of, AND took a completely different startup through Y Combinator. Stedman builds great products and is an exceptionally good people leader & team builder.
THE QUESTIONS
[06:48] I think our startup will fail because of my partner: After years of building a product, a founder starts to have big issues with their co-founder.
[18:59] I have an idea for a startup, but need external help: At the idea stage, a new founder tries to understand what it’s like to outsource their product (hint: it’s not good).
[26:37] Need funding advice: While trying to raise, a founder is approached by a “consultant” promising them they can raise investment on their behalf (another hint: also not good).
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE SPONSOR
Thanks Miro for sponsoring this video! Click the link below and get 3 free boards forever!
miro.com/podcast
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Stedman Blake Hood
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stedmanblakehood/
Twitter/X: twitter.com/StedmanBlake
Blog: stedmanblake.com
Dispatch: dispatch.do/
My links
Youtube: youtube.com/@joelditrapani
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: cal.com/joelditrapani/
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: joelditrapani.com
Newsletter: joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/#/portal/signup
38 min - 5: Creating your inner circle (with 2x unicorn founder Jason Cohen)
THE GUEST
Jason Cohen is just insanely good at building businesses. Jason has built 4 technology startups to more than $1M revenue, he has sold 2 and currently working at his 4th business, WP Engine which has 200,000 customers and 1200 employees. 2 of the businesses Jason started are worth over $1B. On top of all of this Jason is very active in the startup community, as an angel investor and writer. He is one of the only people who writes about startups that is actually worth reading.
THE QUESTIONS
[04:43] How to grow from technical co-founder to CTO: A founder struggles with the leadership and management side of their role.
[23:27] How do you create your inner circle: An entrepreneur has tried everything to build a peer group but feels alone as they struggle with the isolation of starting a business.
THE SHOW
DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE LINKS
Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Jason Cohen
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasoncohen/
Twitter/X: twitter.com/asmartbear
Blog: smartbear.com/
WP Engine: wpengine.com/
My links
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5CVikUi4KcITAB4F15n5tZ
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: cal.com/joelditrapani/
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: joelditrapani.com
Newsletter: joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/#/portal/signup
42 min - 4: Half a business (with Cory McKane)
THE GUEST
Cory McKane has built an incredible platform in the fitness space called WeStrive to help gyms and PT's build their own businesses. Cory has done this as a solo founder, so every problem he has come across from day one has been shouldered alone. In his pursuit to learn everything for his own business, he started the "Why We Strive" podcast, where he interviews Seed and Series A founders about what it actually takes to succeed.
THE QUESTIONS
[06:01] Remote work is destroying my team: A founder/CEO is struggling with low performance and isn't sure how to build a remote culture.
[15:55] I spend 10 hours a day on YouTube: After quitting their job, a new founder is wasting their one chance to build their dream business.
[22:23] I don't invoice: Due to some confidence issues, a designer hasn't sent their invoices for 6 months and doesn't know how to start now. [28:02] Running half a business: A founder is killing it on the product side of the business but hates everything admin and sales.
THE SHOW DO AS I SAY is an advice show about the real problems in startups.
THE LINKS Have a question you want us to answer? Send it through to [email protected]
Cory McKane
The Why We Strive Podcast sits down with the most successful tech founders, investors, and creatives to learn about what they strive for and why. Find the show here: open.spotify.com/show/3HEmO6ebpn3B512K3PjQNT
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/corymckane/
Twitter/X: twitter.com/CoryMckane
Instagram: instagram.com/westriveapp
We Strive: westrive.com
Factle Sports: factle.app/sports
Podcast Studio: justpushrecordstudios.com
My links Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5CVikUi4KcITAB4F15n5tZ
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joel-ditrapani/
Calendar: cal.com/joelditrapani/
Email: [email protected]
Other stuff: joelditrapani.com
Newsletter: joel-di-trapani.ghost.io/#/portal/signup
37 min
About DO AS I SAY
From the publisher's feed
An advice show about the real problems in startups.