In this episode:

SXSW 2025. What is South by SouthWest?* Philly hates Yankees fans.* The Philly Bike Expo.* It's good to get out in front of people and get real time feedback. * Learn how to read the room and observe people.* We start by figuring out what our booth set up is going to be and make sure we are on brand.* Have best practices for expos and figure out logistics.* I am not sales pitchy, but I am always there to answer questions and engage.* Our goals are to observe and get to know people.* I want to learn from everyone I meet to see what I am missing.* Bring your idea or product to where your target market is and see who responds to it.* Gauge the perceived value of your product from your potential customers.* It's information gathering to see if we are on the right track.* Having a purpose and intention for going to these expos is step 1.* We always set quantitative goals at conferences and expos.* I am always looking to learn the phrases and jargon of each particular market.* Don't try to be everything to everybody.* The one thing I am always trying to figure out is their buying process.* What do the customers go to first? Figuring out their priorities changes our marketing.* Expos are hard work and expensive but can be fun and offer great opportunities.* We should do a live podcast from an expo.* Don't booth at first. Go and take notes and learn from your industry.Step up as a sponsor of the No Followers Podcast. Why? Because we go to work for you to create Active Business Systems as part of the sponsorship - to start - see chrisjonesmedia.com

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Is social media a net good or a net bad?* We don't teach our children how to use social media correctly.* The internet has opened up the whole world.* T's early Face Book story. * The eighth employee of Face Book.* My parents would be out of their depth trying to advise me about social media.* Social media has given a platform to idiots who look like geniuses.* You can be really smart on social media and yet get nothing accomplished for your business.* Social media is a necessary evil.* It gives people a platform that they would never have otherwise.* Social media has made people less tolerant and more tribal.* What we all do is social comparison, the internet is terrible for that.* People are emboldened by hiding behind their keyboards.* It has had a negative impact on me.* It's hard not to care when you are putting yourself out there.* If you haven't taken any risks or put your own money on the line you are not an entrepreneur.* Social media is a necessity for entrepreneurs and small businesses.* You have instant access to information but need the expertise to filter through it all.* Social media is just another tool. There are ways to safely use it.* We all need help, and social media can be great for that.* Have coping strategies.* If you are sad when you don't get enough likes ... stop fu**ing posting.* Are you reaching your qualified market and buyers with your posts?* People get a certain number of vanity metrics and think they are hitting their target.* I disagree with following an algorithm. If you know who buys from you, chase them.

In this episode..

Useless Paperwork.* What is a Letter of Intent or Interest?* The paper is only as good as the 2 people who sign it.* The best thing you can do is have good partners. * That's busy work that drives me insane.* How do I validate my product or idea to get to the next level?* Acquiring non-binding paperwork is a waste of time.* Know your market and how the customer will use your product.* We are trying to get to the Alpha, the first mover product.* Distribution Sales Agreements and Paperwork.* The best way to get market validation is with real sales orders.* T's "paper masturbation" joke.* You have to make the decision if the work is worth the effort.* Letters of Interest are only as valuable as the people who sign them.* Don't go down the rabbit hole where people want you to do an activity just to stay busy.* Horrible Bosses 2.* Happy Gilmore.* How do I validate my product to get investors?* You need to get metrics, results and buying customers.* Remove yourself and your bias from the equation.* Find the weak spots in your theories first as potential investors will ask hard questions.* An LOI can be a good start. It's the beginning of a conversation.* If you can't talk with your potential customers, you will never sell your productSponsor this podcast at chrisjonesmedia.com

"JUST for FUN" Retrospective* Tushy.* T's English accent.* Do you dip your cookies in milk?* There is no such thing as a flushable wipe.* Italian cookies.* Drink the damn coffee and eat the cookies!* What one store bought cookie would you buy?* Rainbow cookies and Heaven Dreams.* The Pet Rock.* Couples Counseling.*Get out of here Long John Silver's.* Croissant vs. Hard Roll.* Do you think you are in Paris?* It's a spicy meatball.* Adult diapers.* Tiny Tim.Sponsor this Podcast at chrisjonesmedia.com

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There is no secret formula.* It's hard work and takes a great team.* T reads conspiracy theories.* In my experience after 15 years, there is no secret formula.* What gets the job done is good strategy, a good team, a clear direction and flexibility.* They've done a great job of marketing the bs.* Positively negative.* There is no one size solution.* It's a journey. How committed are you?* If you learn something it is probably worth it, but it is not a solution for life.* It's all just snake oil.* Owning a business and taking an idea from start to finish is what I live for.* Being realistic is not being negative.* It's not a secret formula; it is just good business.* Unicorns, rainbows and sprinkles.* How badly do you want this?* It's all consuming.* It's the people that make it worthwhile.* If you are doing this because you want to be rich, do something else.* Why are you doing this?* There is a good chance this is not going to work out. What is your plan b?* The whole mentality of just believing in yourself is a bad plan.* If this fails, will I be okay?* What I do is linked to who I am.* If you need to be sold a secret formula, you are on the wrong path.* There is nothing wrong with not starting.* You need clearly defined milestones.* There is nothing wrong with having a lifestyle business where you are happy.* What does success look like to you.* The Secret Formula? Be true to yourself.* Indian Larry.Sponsor this Podcast Here

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A startup is not a business.* Do a process map.* If your whole business plan is to raise money, get a new plan.* First check, first client is our goal with a startup.* What is the best use of your resources?* It's easier to change the name than to change physics.* People don't understand mvp, prototype, alpha product or ready for manufacture.* It takes hyper focus to get something started.* The iPod saved Apple.* Your prototype cost is usually 2-3 times higher than your product cost at scale.* The quickest way to raise money is to get to revenue.* As a founder you need realism and not yes men.* A good team is worth its' weight in gold.* Listen to the market intel and make changes.* Product Market Fit and Feature Benefit Alignment.* You have to be willing to be disproved. As a business owner you need a backbone.* Taking in intel and making sense of it for your business is a learned skill.* Running a small business you cannot burn bandwidth.* No one cares about what you think. We only care about what you can prove.* To be successful you don't have to be everything to everybody.* People don't know how to time block or be held accountable.* You need the ability to get run over and get back up.* Business is not static.* Inventory and Insurance.* You need a series of wins with the back end set up to capitalize on them.* Successful people work harder than everyone else.Sponsor this podcast at chrisjonesmedia.com

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Sponsor this podcast at ⁠chrisjonesmedia.com

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