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Comment by ph0rque | Hacker News Reader

I spent a ton of time trying to get to know entrepreneurs early--even before their ideas are fully formed or before they have their decks. That's where I think I'm going to have the best outcomes and where I'll be able to be the most useful investor--where everyone knows why they're in, what they're there for, and we can all thoughtfully get on the same page about the vision we're trying to move toward.

Great! I'm one of those entrepreneurs, but I am an unknown. Before I get into YC (assuming that happens), how do I get in touch with you, Mr. Investor?

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There are many non-traditional routes to get to know investors besides the usual networking events/cold email/calling. I'm friends with the author (Charlie) outside of just the tech world. We became friends a couple of years ago when he tweeted out about needed volunteers for a kayaking program he helped start over at the Brooklyn bridge park (http://www.bbpboathouse.org/ for anyone in NYC that's interested). I had grown up kayaking so was mostly interested in having way to do so in NYC, but also wanted to meet Charlie. When I showed up, there were probably 10 or so people from the NY tech scene that wanted to get some face time with Charlie and over the course of the day he spent 1-on-1 time with everyone. Most only showed up for that one session, but a few have been back from time to time.

This isn't a strategy that you can use to get access to every investor because like Charlie said, it takes time to build up relationships and really get to know people. However, if you do have a few key people you want to get to know, getting to know they outside of the tech scene can be a great way to build a long term relationship. You need to figure out a non-creepy way of doing so (i.e. don't just start showing up where they check in on foursquare (http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2011/03/did-someone-ruin-fou...) but at the end of the day, investors are people and they often have causes/activities that they're passionate about and may overlap with your interest.

Try the link labeled "Meet with me" on the blog.

Believe me, I tried (not with this particular investor, but another one). If you're a nobody, no investor wants to talk to you. YC, and other similar programs, move you from the "nobody" group to a "somebody" group; but then you need demo days to efficiently introduce entrepreneurs to investors, and vice versa.

While that's a good point and a great advantage of YC, did you only try one other investor?

I have met with four VCs/early stage investors in NYC just by responding to blog posts or e-mailing in to contact me posts. I have obviously e-mailed and attempted to contact much more than four, but if you want to meet people the best way to do it is connect with them in a non-generic way via their blog, office hours, whatever means they prefer.

It's obviously not incredibly easy, but every investor knows the importance of dealflow, and it's getting harder to pre-screen for early stage deals (except using YC), so if you are persistent enough I think you can definitely get in front of the right people.

"If you're a nobody, no investor wants to talk to you."

Well, sure if you go in with the pitch that you are, in fact, a nobody, then I'd certainly be less interested. Who wants to talk to someone who isn't confident that what they're doing with their time is awesome? Tell me why you're awesome... and if you're in and around NYC, I'd be happy to make some time.

Maybe I just haven't learned the proper bluster when talking to investors... I really believe my idea is awesome, that I and my co-founders have solid skills, and that our startup will succeed with or without investors (but will succeed faster with funding). I feel anything else is BS that investors especially will see through, or am I missing something?

Alas, I am in the Triangle area of NC, but I'd be happy to chat via skype!

Investors need to hear the BS. You should be pitching a billion-dollar idea, even if that's phase 3 of your plan.

Also, NC is sadly outside the seed stage bubble. If you have traction, you may get a meeting, but then you won't need it.

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