by Ver L

The 2024 Conference hosted by Colaeb is an experiential and immersive event focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. It brings together successful business leaders and professionals to share growth stories, strategies, and insights into overcoming challenges and achieving success. The conference is designed to inspire attendees by showcasing transformative journeys and fostering a community of innovation.

by Manny Larcher

​I attended the 10th Anniversary of Camp Flog Gnaw, created and curated by Tyler, the Creator, at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles over the weekend. I walked just under 24 miles, here a few takeaways:

- Accessibility was Tier 1. From a mobile app to shuttles and viewing areas, this event was an experience that included everyone in the process.

- Location. The parking lot of the Dodgers Stadium couldn't have been more perfect for this event, featuring three stages.

- Audience diversity. The lineup featured established musicians like Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu and new artists like Grammy-nominated Doechii and Daniel Caesar, with nearly 100,000 people of all ages in attendance.

- Carnival/Fair experience. There were at least a dozen rides and several games, all with custom gifts from the artists.

- Experiential Marketing. Most musicians and companies shy away from partnerships at music festivals, but large brands, from Toyota to American Express, were present with their interactive engagements.

- Food Options. There were nearly 30 options to choose from, one of the best food selection options at a festival I've ever experienced.

- Restrooms. Super crucial at a festival, there were numerous options, clean.

It was an overall great experience!

by Veronica M.

Generating more leads through referral marketing involves several key strategies:

1. Incentivize Referrals: Offer attractive rewards for successful referrals, such as discounts, freebies, or cash bonuses.

2. Simplify the Process: Make it easy for customers to refer others by providing clear instructions and easy-to-use referral tools.

3. Leverage Social Proof: Share testimonials and success stories from existing customers to encourage others to refer friends and family.

4. Target the Right Customers: Identify and focus on your most loyal and satisfied customers, as they are more likely to refer others.

5. Create Shareable Content: Develop engaging content that customers will want to share with their networks, increasing visibility and reach.

6. Use Referral Software: Implement referral marketing software to track and manage referrals efficiently and automate the process.

7. Regularly Communicate: Keep in touch with referrers through newsletters or updates, reminding them of the benefits of referring others.

8. Personalize the Experience: Tailor referral messages and incentives to match customer preferences and behaviors.

9. Monitor and Optimize: Continuously track referral program performance and make adjustments to improve effectiveness.

By focusing on these strategies, you can enhance your referral marketing efforts and generate more high-quality leads.

by Colaeb

Business Growth Tips:

• Here's a free educational series for Scaling Your Startup featuring numerous founders.​

Billionaire tech investor Paul Graham offers some simple advice on starting a company, click here to read the full article.

by Sharon M.

In the vast marketplace of business solutions, finding the right platform to foster growth can be as challenging as finding the perfect skincare product. Just as baby oil, a refined mineral oil, gently softens and nourishes the skin, Colaeb is revolutionizing how businesses expand and thrive.

Baby oil is cherished for its simplicity and effectiveness. This pure, gentle oil is designed to provide moisture and protection, leaving the skin soft and supple. Its properties are trusted by millions worldwide, embodying care and reliability.

Enter Colaeb: The Business Softener
Colaeb.com is akin to the baby oil of the business world. It acts as a nurturing agent, smoothing out the complexities of business development. This innovative platform offers a suite of tools and services tailored to help companies of all sizes grow with confidence and ease.

Key Features of Colaeb

• Custom Solutions: Just as baby oil adapts to various skin needs, Colaeb.com provides customized solutions that cater to the unique requirements of each business.
• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be as intuitive and straightforward as applying baby oil, ensuring that even those new to digital tools can navigate it effectively.
• Scalability: Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, Colaeb.com grows with you, much like how baby oil remains a staple from infancy to adulthood.

Colaeb is making waves by:

1. Enhancing Efficiency: Streamlining operations and reducing overheads, allowing businesses to focus on their core missions.
2. Boosting Innovation: Providing a platform for creative solutions and new ideas, much like how baby oil can be used in countless innovative ways beyond skincare.
3. Strengthening Networks: Facilitating connections and collaborations that drive success, akin to how baby oil supports the bonds between a caregiver and child through gentle touch.

Businesses using Colaeb are experiencing transformative growth. Here’s what some of them have to say:

• Sarah, Startup Owner: "Colaeb.com has been a game-changer for us. It's like having 1000 bottles of baby oil for our business—smooth, reliable, and essential."
• Mark, CEO of a Mid-Sized Firm: "The ease of use and comprehensive features have allowed us to scale rapidly without the growing pains."

Just as baby oil is a trusted staple in personal care, Colaeb.com is becoming indispensable for businesses seeking growth and success. Its ability to simplify and enhance business processes makes it a must-have tool in today's competitive landscape.

Discover how Colaeb can soften your path to success and transform the way you do business.

Visit Colaeb.com today and start your journey toward seamless growth.

Pictured above: Mark Bugas, founder of Flowlie, Manny Larcher, founder of Colaeb, and Juan Barrero, founder of Lazo

by Manny L.

To create more hype for a product launch, you can use several strategies:

1. Teaser Campaigns: Release sneak peeks or teasers on social media and email to build anticipation.

2. Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand to reach a wider audience.

3. Exclusive Previews: Offer early access or exclusive previews to loyal customers or subscribers.

4. Countdowns: Use countdown timers on your website and social media to create urgency and excitement.

5. Engaging Content: Share engaging content, such as behind-the-scenes videos or stories about the product development process.

6. Interactive Events: Host live events, webinars, or Q&A sessions to engage directly with your audience.

7. User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share their excitement on social media using a specific hashtag.

8. Contests and Giveaways: Run contests or giveaways to increase engagement and attract attention.

9. Collaborations: Partner with other brands for co-branded promotions that can expand your reach.

10. PR and Media Coverage: Reach out to media outlets and bloggers to gain coverage and reviews.

While I can't access specific examples from colaeb.com, these strategies are commonly used by brands to generate excitement around a launch.

by Sharon 

Companies are leveraging artificial intelligence in marketing and advertising in various innovative ways:

1. Personalization: AI analyzes customer data to deliver personalized content and product recommendations, enhancing user experience and engagement.

2. Customer Insights: Machine learning algorithms process large volumes of data to uncover patterns and insights about consumer behavior, enabling more targeted marketing strategies.

3. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: These AI-driven tools provide 24/7 customer support, handle inquiries, and guide users through purchasing processes.

4. Predictive Analytics: AI predicts future buying behaviors and trends, helping companies optimize inventory and marketing campaigns.

5. Content Creation: AI assists in generating content, such as product descriptions and social media posts, saving time and resources.

6. Ad Targeting: AI optimizes ad placements and targeting by analyzing user data, ensuring ads reach the most relevant audiences.

7. A/B Testing: AI automates and enhances A/B testing processes, quickly identifying the most effective marketing strategies.

8. Sentiment Analysis: AI evaluates social media and online reviews to gauge public sentiment about a brand, informing reputation management strategies.

9. Visual Recognition: AI identifies and tags images and videos, enhancing the ability to categorize and target visual content effectively.

10. Voice and Visual Search: AI powers voice and visual search technologies, making it easier for consumers to find products using natural language and images.

By integrating AI, companies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the effectiveness of their marketing efforts. 

by Justine A.G.

Colaeb's platform stands out as a beacon for entrepreneurs seeking growth, connection, and learning. With a diverse community of business owners, innovators, and professionals, the platform offers a wide range of opportunities tailored to meet the needs of its members.

Networking Excellence

A key highlight of Colaeb's platform is its focus on networking. Members have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals through regular events, both virtual and in-person. These gatherings foster collaboration, allowing participants to share insights and forge valuable partnerships.
​
Empowering Education
​
Colaeb provides an array of workshops and webinars designed to enhance skills and knowledge. Topics such as marketing, branding, and financial strategies are covered, equipping members with the tools they need to succeed in today's competitive landscape.

Mentorship and Support
​
The platform also offers a robust mentorship program, pairing seasoned entrepreneurs with newcomers. This initiative not only supports personal growth but also strengthens the community by building lasting relationships.

Engaging Online Community

An active online community keeps the conversation going beyond events. Members can access forums and social media groups to discuss challenges, share resources, and celebrate achievements.

Collaborative Opportunities
​
Colaeb encourages members to engage in collaborative projects, fostering a spirit of teamwork and innovation. Whether working on community service initiatives or business ventures, participants benefit from shared expertise and resources.

Tailored Feedback and Recognition

Understanding the importance of member input, Colaeb regularly seeks feedback to refine its offerings. Achievements are celebrated, and incentives are provided to encourage active participation, making every member feel valued and integral to the community.

Colaeb's platform is more than just a networking hub; it is a comprehensive ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs in reaching their potential. By providing opportunities for connection, education, and collaboration, Colaeb empowers its members to elevate their businesses and make a meaningful impact. Learn more and join today on colaeb.com

by Veronica M.

​In the past year, social media has continued to evolve in several key ways:
​

1. Short-Form Video Dominance: Platforms like TikTok have maintained their popularity, pushing other platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to enhance their short-form video features (Reels and Shorts, respectively).
2. Social Commerce Growth: More platforms have integrated shopping features, allowing users to purchase products directly within apps, streamlining the shopping experience.
3. Privacy and Security Enhancements: In response to ongoing concerns, platforms have implemented stricter privacy policies and tools to give users more control over their data.
4. AI and Algorithm Improvements: There has been a noticeable increase in the use of AI to personalize content feeds and enhance user engagement.
5. Decentralized Social Networks: New platforms focusing on decentralization and user data ownership have emerged, offering alternatives to traditional centralized networks.
6. Augmented Reality Features: AR capabilities have been expanded, with more filters and interactive features becoming available to enhance user interaction.
7. Community Building Tools: Features supporting community engagement, such as group chats, live audio, and video rooms, have been further developed.
8. Focus on Mental Health: Platforms have introduced features to promote well-being, such as screen time reminders and content moderation tools to reduce harmful content.

​
These trends reflect the ongoing adaptation of social media to meet user demands and technological advancements.

Looking for support? CollaborateandElevate.com's (rebranding to colaeb.com) platform is design to help your business, whether a one person shop, to large global enterprise. Learn more and join today on their website!

by Sharon L.

​Businesses can enhance their marketing campaigns by using data more effectively in the following ways:

1. Audience Segmentation: Use data to divide your audience into specific segments based on demographics, behavior, and preferences. This allows for more targeted and personalized marketing.
2. Predictive Analytics: Implement predictive models to anticipate customer behavior and trends, enabling proactive adjustments to strategies.
3. A/B Testing: Utilize data to run A/B tests on different marketing elements (such as headlines, images, and calls-to-action) to determine what resonates best with your audience.
4. Customer Journey Mapping: Analyze data to understand the customer journey, identifying key touchpoints and optimizing them for better engagement.
5. Real-Time Marketing: Leverage real-time data to respond quickly to market changes or customer interactions, enhancing the relevance of your campaigns.
6. Content Personalization: Use data to tailor content to individual preferences, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
7. Performance Tracking: Continuously monitor campaign performance metrics (such as click-through rates and conversions) to identify successful strategies and areas for improvement.
8. Social Listening: Analyze social media data to understand customer sentiment and identify emerging trends or issues.
9. Data-Driven Decision Making: Encourage a culture where data insights drive marketing decisions, reducing reliance on assumptions or intuition.
10. Integration Across Channels: Ensure data is integrated across all marketing channels to provide a cohesive view of customer interactions and improve cross-channel strategies.

By effectively leveraging data, businesses can create more efficient, impactful, and customer-focused marketing campaigns. Need help at an affordable cost? Learn more and join today on colaeb.com

In this article with CTECH in May 2022, Oren Zeev, discussed the tech bubble burst while criticizing the excess and lack of profitability in some startups, preferring sustainable growth and efficiency.

In 2007, Zeev founded Zeev Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments. Unlike traditional VC firms, Zeev Ventures operates with a lean structure, allowing for more flexibility and a personalized approach to investing. This model enables Zeev to work closely with entrepreneurs, offering not just financial support but also strategic guidance.

Zeev is known for his hands-on approach and deep involvement with the companies he invests in. He believes in building strong relationships with founders, emphasizing the importance of trust and mutual respect. His portfolio includes companies across various sectors such as fintech, consumer technology, and enterprise software.

Notable InvestmentsOren Zeev has been instrumental in the success of several high-profile startups. Some of his notable investments include:

• Houzz: A platform for home remodeling and design, where Zeev played a crucial role in its growth and expansion.
• Tipalti: A global payables automation solution, showcasing Zeev's interest in fintech innovation.
• TripActions: A corporate travel management company that benefited from Zeev's strategic insights and support

Oren Zeev's career is a testament to the power of visionary investing. By prioritizing relationships and taking calculated risks, he has helped shape the future of technology. As he continues to support and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs, Zeev remains a pivotal figure in the venture capital community.
Learn more about Oren and Zeev Ventures and view some of his companies on zeevventures.com

Looking for advice on your pitch deck or fundraising strategy? Click here to view this article. 

Real Connections, Real Results

While platforms like Facebook and Google rely heavily on algorithm-driven data to target ads, Colaeb.com takes a more human-centric approach. Instead of connecting you with abstract data points, Colaeb.com connects you with real people—industry experts, successful business owners, and savvy investors. This unique approach ensures that your advertising efforts are grounded in genuine interactions and valuable insights.

Personalized Expertise

On Colaeb.com, you’re not just another ad in the mix. You gain access to personalized expertise tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're looking for strategic business advice, investment opportunities, or industry insights, Colaeb’s network of professionals is ready to help you succeed.

Enhanced Trust and Authenticity

In a world where consumers are becoming increasingly wary of traditional ads, Colaeb.com offers a refreshing alternative. By facilitating direct connections with trusted experts and business leaders, Colaeb helps you build authentic relationships that foster trust and loyalty among your target audience.

Cost-Effective and Efficient

Investing in Colaeb.com can be more cost-effective and efficient compared to traditional digital advertising platforms. Instead of spending large sums on ad campaigns that may or may not reach the right audience, Colaeb allows you to focus your resources on meaningful connections that drive real results.

In summary, Colaeb.com is revolutionizing the digital advertising landscape by prioritizing real connections over abstract data. If you’re looking for a more authentic, efficient, and impactful way to reach your business goals, Colaeb.com is the platform for you. Join the Colaeb community today and experience the future of digital advertising.

Chef Nikki Steward, creator of The High-End Affair, is one of the most sought-after culinary entertainment chefs in the country.  As a culinary artist, she has prepared gastronomical experiences for corporate leaders, celebrities, athletes and social influencers! 

Her niche approach to whole & healthy foods have enabled her to study under executive chefs from around the world.  She’s toured with DJ Khaled and curated dinners for celebs, including Snoop Dogg and Quavo.  In front of dinner crowds, she weaves stories about life, culture and local cuisine. 

Chef Nikki has mastered the art of cannabis, culinary and conversation. The High-End Affair Experience is a touring cannabis culinary entertainment brand that brings together cannabis industry influencers for an evening of food and networking.

​Jeni Britton is an American ice cream maker and entrepreneur, known for founding Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. She started making ice cream in the mid-1990s and opened her first ice cream shop, Scream, in 1996 in Columbus, Ohio. However, it was with the opening of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in 2002 that she gained significant recognition.

Jeni is renowned for her innovative approach to ice cream, using unique ingredients and flavors. She emphasizes the use of high-quality, natural ingredients and often collaborates with local producers. Her ice creams are known for their rich, creamy texture and inventive flavor combinations.

In addition to her business, Jeni has authored several cookbooks, sharing her recipes and approach to ice cream making. Her books include "Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home," which became a New York Times bestseller, and "Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Desserts."

Jeni Britton Bauer has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the food industry, including recognition from the James Beard Foundation.

Watch episode one below:

by Manny Larcher 

Through Dirty Coin, Alana Mediavilla-Diaz seeks to address the widespread misconceptions associated with Bitcoin and its reputation as a 'dirty coin' due to its energy consumption and alleged role in facilitating illegal activities.

Alana, who spent over a year filming around the world and visiting Bitcoin mining locations, believes that the Bitcoin mining industry could play a substantial role in balancing the energy grid.

"Bitcoin miners, they can just turn off instantly, give the power back to the grid, and then they can turn on instantly as well. it's a great way to balance the grid," Alana said in an interview with Rob Nelson, the anchor of the Roundtable. She calls this process, popularly known as a "crumple zone" in Texas, a win-win situation, offering more availability of energy and aiding in optimal grid management.

The documentary debuted on the global stage in Warsaw during the Bitcoin Film Festival. The premiere was a huge success, and the film was honored with the Best Movie award!

"The festival’s highlight was "Dirty Coin," a documentary that won Best Movie for exploring how bitcoin mining is using stranded and wasted energy to build renewable infrastructure. This film's premiere took place on the day of the bitcoin halving, which added to its impact," via Forbes.

Dirty Coin has already had successful premieres in Arnhem Bitcoin City, The Netherlands - Berlin, Germany - San Juan, Puerto Rico - and Miami, Florida, and it has an upcoming show in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 24th! More dates are expected to come as the documentary prepares for its opening in theaters on October 31st.

Click Here to Watch Dirty Coin in Nashville, Tennessee July 24th!

by Armory Square Ventures

In this virtual roundtable, Elizabeth MacBride, Seth Levine, and Somak Chattopadhyay discuss the ingredients that go into building outlier successes in secondary markets. They also touch on the state of the venture capital industry, the snowball effects of small-city unicorns, resources available to founders outside major hubs, and the ways in which capitalism might evolve in coming decades. Seth and Elizabeth previously co-authored 'The New Builders,' and their next book is forthcoming in 2025

by Denise S.  

In today's highly competitive business landscape, enterprises constantly seek innovative ways to gain a competitive edge and drive sustainable growth. Enter Colaeb, a transformative platform revolutionizing how businesses identify untapped opportunities and optimize their growth strategies.

Colaeb's enterprise-level offerings are designed to empower businesses of all sizes, from nimble startups to established industry leaders. Let's dive into the top 10 features that make Colaeb a game-changer for enterprises:

7. **Educational Resources**: Colaeb's online and in-person events featuring industry leaders and experts provide enterprises with insights, strategies, and best practices to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

8. **Scalability and Flexibility**: Colaeb's enterprise plans offer customizable solutions that can be tailored to each business's specific needs, allowing for seamless scalability and the ability to adapt as requirements change.

9. **Streamlined Onboarding**: Colaeb's hassle-free onboarding process, which requires no new software or passwords, enables enterprises to quickly integrate the platform into their existing operations, minimizing disruption and maximizing ROI.

10. **Comprehensive Support**: From marketing and advertising to education, finances, and legal assistance, Colaeb provides enterprises with a holistic suite of support services, ensuring a solid foundation for long-term growth and success.

By leveraging Colaeb's enterprise-level solutions, businesses can unlock exponential growth, gain a competitive edge, and position themselves for sustained success in today's rapidly evolving market. Unlock your full potential and take your enterprise to new heights with Colaeb.By leveraging Colaeb's enterprise-level solutions, businesses can unlock exponential growth, gain a competitive edge, and position themselves for sustained success in today's rapidly evolving market. Unlock your full potential and take your enterprise to new heights with Colaeb.

by David Park, CEO of jenni.ai

Here is every growth hack we used for each of our distribution channels:

- Organic Short-form content
- Influencer Marketing
- SEO
- Paid Ads

Organic Short-form content

The most important thing to remember in this new age of social media is that follower counts don’t matter at all

I would unironically sponsor a fresh account made this week vs a YouTuber with a million subs if they had similar views and I don’t even think it’s a controversial opinion

(especially when you consider that the famous YouTuber will charge you potentially 30x more for less results, but I would maybe even choose the new account if they were the same price)

The reason being that new accounts are highly volatile and if you put out a great engaging piece of content then it could easily go viral regardless of how many followers you have

But rather than finding and sponsoring these new accounts in your niche, you can just create these accounts yourself

You just need to follow this basic format:
1. Find a face for your account
2. Craft a viral video 'series'
3. Multiply your accounts

What would happen if BTS made a new TikTok account and started posting?

All videos on the new account would immediately go viral because the algo would push the videos back to their fans

Despite having zero followers, this new TikTok account will ‘behave’ as though it has hundreds of millions of followers

One great hack is to find someone who already has an audience of people that you know will convert, then ask them to create a completely new account to posts videos about your product

This is an amazing hack because creators are usually very open to this idea because it doesn’t dilute their main page, it’ll be way cheaper to pay for 20 videos on a new account every month vs 20 sponsored posts on their main account, and it’ll get way better results

For example we found a creator named Mengmengduck whose entire account at the time was teaching students how to write to employers and we paid him $4000 for 20 videos/mo

In our first month we got 7 million+ impressions, just as expected the videos on the brand new account were being pushed to the followers on his main account

When you get a new creator just follow this basic guideline:
- Repost vids on all platforms (Reels, TikTok, YT Shorts)
- Post 1+ videos per day
- Initially, post vids similar to what the influencer posts on their main account, then start experimenting with videos that feature your product
- We paid $4000/mo for MMD who had 500k followers, but you can get someone cheaper for similar results!

The entire goal when working with your creator is to find a viral “series” because a video that goes viral once will go viral again

You want a video that you can basically tweak slightly and repost multiple times a week that is still fun for the audience

Once you find a viral series, you can start creating new accounts but this time you don’t need to work with big creators, you can just find charismatic UGC creators because you’ve found content that is engaging and poised to go viral 

Currently, we have about 5 different Jenni AI accounts all posting similar content

Many of our accounts have tens or sometimes just hundreds of followers and they just repost stuff from our main account

In some cases, the account with 48 followers gets MORE views than our main account with 55k followers...even when posting identical videos

Examples of viral series:
1. A guy tries to see how many sticks of spaghetti it takes to hold his weight. Then he tries to see how many coat hangers. Then he tries to use sheets of paper. Etc etc. All the same video, minimal effort but will go viral every time.

2. A guy drinks a cup of milk for every 1000 followers he has. Everyday it’s the same video where he drinks milk but people continually tune in because they want to see him suffer and drink hundreds of cups of milk. Will go viral every time.

3. For us we had “POV you have an essay due” and it was just a ridiculous plot of someone realising they have an essay due while they are taking a shit or right before they sleep or w/e and it always ended with them using Jenni AI to help them write their essay faster. Same video, slightly different 10 second intro each time.

Thinking of new viral video ideas are so hard, so just try to think of tweaking your few winning videos into “series” and just think about prolonging the lifespan of your content

The order of virality:
1. Have one account on each platform (TikTok, Instagram, YT shorts) and experiment with a ton of hooks and video ideas

2. Eventually you’ll get a video that goes viral after enough experimentation

3. Experiment and somehow turn that video into a “series”

4. Start tweaking and posting this “series” on multiple accounts

5. Translate and create the same video with creators that speak Chinese, Spanish, etc

6. Take the really mega-viral videos and sponsor other pages to repost them

7. Use the mega-viral content for paid ads

8. Eventually enough copycats will copy your video series and it’ll get played out and you restart at step 1

Our video series "POV: You have an essay due" has probably generated 300 million+ views overall

It was essentially the same video over and over, multiple times a week, yet they consistently went viral

That one video series made us over half a million dollars, and it was one of several video series’ that we were able to cook up

Influencer Marketing

Find influencers

- Go to your users' Instagram and see which influencers they are following. This should be easy if you’ve done user interviews correctly, if you have no social media handles of your users you should actually befriend your users and get to know them on a deeper level or you’re not going to make it

- Do this for several users and eventually you will find some influencers that are ‘popular’ among your target user demographic. Find these influencers and follow them all, it’s okay you only need 1-3

- Go to these influencer's profile and click "suggested similar accounts" and you'll get an easy list of hot leads that you can sponsor (you can continue to do this recursively for each new influencer that you find)

- Also, be sure to see what hashtags these influencers are using when they post and then follow those hashtags as well

- Once you have a list of influencers, create a new Instagram/TikTok account and manually follow & watch their videos all the way through and the algorithm will start automatically showing relevant influencers to you that you can then reach out to (this is a great way to lower the risk of getting scammed because the videos that show up organically on your FYP are less likely to be accounts that have bought followers/views)

- On your new account, you want to be on the hunt for smaller influencers, if a new-ish account has multiple videos with 100k+ views, it's absolute GOLD

- Once you have a list of influencers who you are ready to partner up with, you can begin reaching out to them

Reach out to influencers

- DMs > emails = higher response rate (at least for us)

- All messages need to be as detailed and tailored as possible, but most importantly as CONCISE as possible. This balance is hard but you’ll get a better feel for this as you notice what gets ignored and what doesn't

- Demonstrate that you’re genuinely a fan of their content and that you’re excited to partner up. This is such a low bar but few founders actually put in the effort.

- Why should they partner with you? Why will their audience love your product? Don’t talk about dumb shit like how many employees your company has or what round of fundraising you’re at (I suggest not talking about those vanity metrics in any situation, but I digress)

- Make sure to indicate somewhere in the message that this is obviously a PAID promotion, influencers are constantly inundated by people who are begging them for free shoutouts or weird affiliate partnerships

- Expect more than 50% of influencers to not respond, but this % is very volatile depending on what industry you’re in, and how cool/well-known your product is

- The good news is, as more influencers talk about your product it gets easier and easier to convince them to promote your product because they have heard of it before (unknown products could be risky or straight-up scams)

Negotiate

- The highest priority is to align the incentives between you and the influencer. You should both want a banger video that converts

- Never pay upfront for videos (pay half upfront at most). Most influencers are fantastic people but some influencers will just try and drop a half-ass video once they get their check

- Try to split the payment so that some % comes from the number of conversions that they bring (you can track this via coupon code or UTM link). If they don’t want to do that, try to at least have some affiliate bonus

- Ask for their viewer demographics see which countries are viewing their content and compare that with the conversion rates of those countries for your product

- See previous sponsored content that they’ve posted and see how those videos performed vs their usual content

- Negotiate the deal so that either they only receive some/all of the payment if it reaches a certain # of views (or a certain # of coupon code redemptions)

- Don’t listen to these absolute garbage articles that tell you to pay based on the number of subscribers/followers that they have. The sole question you should be asking is, will they convert or will they not (at least in the early stage of your startup).

Post content

- You can’t use a general content strategy for all of your influencer partnerships because each influencer has a certain type of content that their audience likes. Your content can’t deviate too far from it or else it will have terrible watch times and you’re basically paying for a dud

- If you don’t have experience with social media or making engaging content, just let the influencer make the video and then you approve it (after aligning your incentives, as we discussed in the last step)

- One important note is that views are irrelevant, we’ve had videos that got 30 MILLION views and gave us barely any conversions, whereas a video with 50k views converted like hotcakes. The video should make the viewers excited about what you’ve built not just have them hear what you made and then forget about it the second they scroll to the next video on their For You Page

-When in doubt, don’t be afraid of your video looking like a straight-up ad, even if it gets less views it will convert better than an influencer casually talking about your product for 15 seconds in a random “Day in the life” vlog

Final tips

- The biggest risk with influencer marketing is sponsoring a dead video or a video that gets a few hundred views or a few thousand views in low-converting countries. For that reason, make a portfolio of bets instead of hunting for the perfect deal. Do not allocate all of your marketing budget to a few large influencers

- If the account has high conversion potential, but the first video flops, don't be afraid to run it back again (often times you can get a better rate on the second video if the first video does poorly)

- You should be casting a large net and then doubling down on the winners and gathering data to get better at predicting which influencer would be great to sponsor

- One good influencer partnership can make up for several influencer partnerships with negative ROI

- The ultimate goal is to build out your influencer marketing arm and then bring on somebody to help run it so you can focus on other aspects of growth.

- You need to have all of your insights and data figured out so that when you bring somebody on, they can take your insights and devote all of their time to become even better than you are at influencer marketing.

SEO

SEO is a tricky one because it can take so long to see results

That’s why I would never start with SEO because in the early-stages you want fast feedback cycles and SEO is the furthest from it

But the flip side is, when you really need SEO, you probably should’ve started on it 6 months prior to that point

For that reason my ideal order of what growth channels I would focus on is: Organic Short-form -> Influencer Marketing -> Paid Ads

And at any point when I felt like I had a deep understanding of who my powers users were I would start work on SEO and do it concurrently with whatever growth channel I was working on at that point in time

Here are some growth hacks for when you do start SEO work:

1. Taking featured snippets

Sometimes you'll be ranking low on the first page, not getting much traffic. Pushing yourself to the top of the page can take a lot of effort and investment, but there's a way to get there almost immediately.
If the search term you're looking to rank for has a featured snippet, you can often easily take over the first spot by just tweaking your content to answer the query more precisely.

The chances are your content already answers the question well enough, but it's just not written in a way that Google realizes it. Use definitive phrases like "The answer is Yes, you can do X". Use bulleted or ordered lists to make the answer concise and clear.

To find these opportunities, you can plug your domain into a tool like Ahrefs, Semrush or Search Atlas and filter the keywords you are ranking for by the SERP containing a featured snippet.

To keep it simple:
* Plug your domain into SEO tool (ahrefs, semrush, searchatlas)
* Look at keywords you're ranking for already
* Filter results by the criteria of containing a featured snippet in the results
* Tweak your content to answer the query in the best way possible
* Jump from position 3-10 to 1

2. Increasing brand name searches
Brand searches helps legitimize your startup in Google’s eyes and will help your content be seen as “trustworthy”.

With this in mind, for your SEO you should be engaging in other marketing activities that necessitate brand searches.

To keep it simple:
* When doing organic social media marketing, encourage users to search out for your brand name instead of directly typing in the URL
* When doing paid social marketing, utilizing view-through or engaged-view conversions to still track conversions made via Google searches so you can still optimize the social campaigns while reaping the SEO benefit.

3. Make it easy for search engines to understand your website
Search engines have gotten a lot better at understanding messy websites, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't make it as easy as possible for them.

Adding schema to your pages and giving clear cut definitions to your content can make it incredibly clear to any bots crawling your site what your site is about and what it is doing.

The more the better, we've had a lot of limitations with this as we're using Framer and we've found some types of schema quite hard to implement. However, we've done what we can and any type of schema is better than nothing (as long as it's accurate)

To keep it simple:
* Add relevant schema to any page that is suitable
* Mark up your landing pages with FAQ data, mark up your blog posts with article data.

4. Accurately estimate your ROI from search engines
It's been a long time since Google allowed us to see which keywords led to conversions in Google Analytics, however it's super important to get as accurate of a picture as possible.

Many people will simply look at reports and anything under the "organic" or "search engines" column, they'll count as an SEO conversion. But that's simply not true, and it severely misinforms you.
By the nature of the tracking, it's impossible to differentiate between branded conversions and non branded conversions with SEO.

The closest we've been able to get to do this is with a custom tool, but you can replicate it manually as well
* Log into search console
* Select your time period
* Export your clicks for each query
* Remove all branded queries
* Go to your paid ads (preferably Google ads) platform and note down your conversion data.
* Slightly lower the conversion percentage (because paid typically converts better than organic, as you're bidding based on a lot of other targeting metrics too)
* Tally up all the clicks from search console
* Use the conversion percentage from paid ads (slightly lowered)
* Calculate the amount of conversions you have received from SEO (excluding brand)
* Times this by the average LTV of your customer

This is a much closer metric to reality than anything reported by any reporting software, especially if you have a lot of branded searches like us

Paid Ads

Founders will tell me their marketing strategy and marketing spend and sometimes I’ll be shocked

Many are going to end up spend a sizable portion of their entire investment on google/meta ads, and the worst part is they aren’t even acquiring users at a profit, which genuinely makes me nauseous

Especially in the early-stages, I honestly wouldn’t be burn ANY money on paid ads and only spend after some social media marketing first

This is because data is key when it comes to paid ads and you want as much accurate data as possible to feed into the ad platforms

The algorithms work very well, but they need data to make the right decisions, and you can get this data from other growth channels before starting paid ads

Why paid ads after influencer marketing and organic content:

1. From influencer partnerships and organic short-form you will have a bunch of creatives that you can work/experiment/rework for paid ads

2. You get valuable customer feedback in the comments of your posts (how do target users describe your product, what they compare it to, what they like/don’t like about your product) which can be leveraged for ad copy and positioning

3. You can use the data from your social media partnerships to have better targeting for your ads on day 1 (what countries convert better, what’s the LTV of each country, what types of users are ideal to market to, etc)

4. In early-stages your budget won’t be big enough and you won't be able to spend enough on Meta to get enough data for targeting based on purchase conversions

We only scaled paid ads after:
* PMF (Product Market Fit)
* 3x LTV to CAC (we pay less than $1 for every $3 you make from ads)
* Short payback period (we make back our money in less than 3 months)

Lastly, take special considerations of both the entire user journey and the landing page before you crank up adspend

If your landing page isn’t persuasive + effective it’ll not only get less conversions you will also pay more for each click. In Google it improves the relevancy score and in Meta it improves the quality ranking. An easy win is also just to speed up the loading time of your page, this can directly effect the quality score of your ads and will also lower spend per click

Again, do not do paid ads until later in your startup’s lifecycle

It requires a larger budget, more data, and typically has higher cost per acquisition than other channels that you can start with

I personally also think it’s just the most boring growth channel so don't deprive yourself of the joy of figuring out the other fun ones first haha

Conclusion + Final Tip:

For every level there is a new devil

As you scale up your paid ads, your cost per acquisition will continue to creep upwards

As you scale your influencer marketing you may actually run out of influencers to sponsor for your target user demographic

There’s always some content strategy that stops working on your social media accounts, or a random Google update that threatens to fuck your rankings

At each stage of scaling you’ll come across a myriad of issues that can only be solved by specialized knowledge and intense focus

Scaling to $5M ARR is too difficult for one man to do (unless you’re the Lisan Al Gaib of startups)

Now that you’ve read this entire guide you can just choose which growth channel to start with and throw your whole weight into it until you solve it and you can move to the next one

Once you start acquiring users profitably with that first growth channel, find someone who either has the skillset to take over or someone who you can train to take over

This is a critical step

To get to $5M ARR you need to know how to find, hire, and retain amazing talent

This could be an entire post on it’s own because hiring is so tricky, but I will say that I highly highly bias towards resiliency + speed over experience

Why do I care if a candidate has 15 years of digital marketing experience? 

Half of our marketing work has to do with short-form content and you could’ve only become an expert in short-form (TikTok, Reels, YT Shorts) in the last 3 years anyways

A young marketer with TikTok brain rot who has a great work ethic will often times outperform the “established” digital marketing agency with a ton of fake google reviews

Today, our entire marketing team is just 3 people (me included), and I couldn’t have gotten anywhere close to $5M ARR without them

Thanks to my growth team composed of Justin and Luke who are rockstars at what they do and helped flesh out a lot of the strategies on this post

Since you’ve made it all the way to the bottom I’ll tell you one final secret

Look at the bottom right of this tweet and count the bookmarks

How many of those people will actually read this whole thing? 10%?

How many of them will then actually try to implement some of the strategies I wrote about here? 10% of the 10%?

How many of them will continue to try 1 year from now when these marketing tactics help them uncover deep flaws in their product? 1% of that?

This post will be read by hundreds of thousands of people but ultimately it will only be properly utilized by literally one or two of you

I hope you are that one person that I wrote this for and I hope you can go on a similar fantastical journey that I got to experience

Good luck!

​

by Colaeb

​A SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) and a convertible note are both financial instruments commonly used in early-stage startup financing. While they serve similar purposes, there are some key differences between the two. Let's discuss them:

1. Nature: A SAFE is an agreement to purchase equity in a future financing round, whereas a convertible note is a debt instrument that can be converted into equity.

2. Debt vs. Equity: A convertible note is a form of debt that carries an interest rate and a maturity date. It represents a loan from an investor to the startup, which can be converted into equity at a later financing round, typically at a discount to the price paid by the new investors. On the other hand, a SAFE does not have a maturity date or an interest rate. It represents the right to receive equity in the future, but it does not have an explicit repayment feature.

3. Conversion: The conversion mechanism differs between the two instruments. In the case of a convertible note, it typically converts into equity when a qualified financing round occurs, typically triggered by the entry of a lead investor or the achievement of a specific funding threshold. The conversion price is usually determined based on a discount or a valuation cap. In contrast, a SAFE converts into equity upon the occurrence of a specific triggering event, such as a subsequent financing round, acquisition, or IPO. The conversion price is usually determined in the subsequent financing round, without a discount or valuation cap.

4. Interest and Repayment: As mentioned earlier, a convertible note carries an interest rate, which accrues over time until conversion or repayment. Upon maturity, if the note has not been converted, it becomes due and payable by the startup. A SAFE does not carry an interest rate, nor does it have a repayment obligation.

5. Documentation: Convertible notes are typically more detailed and have a longer legal document associated with them, outlining the terms and conditions of the loan, conversion mechanics, interest rate, maturity date, and other provisions. SAFEs, in contrast, are generally simpler and shorter agreements, with fewer terms and conditions.

6. Investor Protection: Convertible notes provide more investor protections compared to SAFEs. They often include provisions like a maturity date, an interest rate, and repayment terms, which can provide some security to the investor in case of adverse events, such as the startup's failure to raise subsequent funding.

It's important to note that the specific terms and conditions of both SAFEs and convertible notes can vary depending on the negotiation between the startup and the investor. It's advisable to seek legal and financial advice when considering these financing instruments, as their suitability depends on the specific circumstances and goals of both the startup and the investor.

by Colaeb

We're thrilled to share an exciting update on Colaeb (pronounced collab), the platform that connects businesses with the resources they need to accelerate growth. As our platform turned four years old this week, we reflect on our achievements and look forward to the next phase of our journey.

**Colaeb's First 4 Months Performance of 2024:**
In the past four months, Colaeb has made remarkable progress in establishing itself as a trusted and invaluable resource for businesses all over the world. We have successfully helped numerous companies, enabling them to launch multi-product strategies faster, better, and easier than ever before.

Our platform, which leverages software and our own intellectual proprietary, empowers companies with existing distribution and end-customer relationships to expand their product capabilities without the need for extensive in-house resources. By leveraging Colaeb, our customers tap into embedded partners and unlock revenue capture opportunities, enhance customer retention, and accelerate speed to market. We've heard hundreds of testimonials for example from Ibrahim, Jeremy, Aleksandra, Terry, and John ~ and are excited to continue helping others!

**Turning 4 Years Old:**
This week marks a significant milestone for Colaeb as we celebrate our fourth anniversary. Over the past four years, we have witnessed tremendous growth and have been privileged to serve a diverse range of businesses across industries. It is through your trust and support that we have reached this point, and we are immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with each and every one of you, from content creators like Jabez, to some of the largest organizations in the world!

**Next 4 Years ~ The Go-to Business Growth Platform**

Looking ahead, we are more determined than ever to realize our vision of becoming the go-to platform in every business' marketing and strategic stack of tools. We are confident that Colaeb will continue to be at the forefront of empowering businesses to thrive and succeed.

We are committed to enhancing our platform, expanding our network of partners, and providing our customers with exceptional service and support. Our customers success is our success, and we look forward to continuing this journey together!

Thank you for being a part of the Colaeb community. We value your partnership and are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to assist you every step of the way.

Wishing you continued success, Collaborate and Elevate!