At first, people told me I should be careful as startup founders "aren't stable."
People were right, you can't be a successful entrepreneur if your clients aren't stable. It doesn't matter if it's mental stability, office locations or cash flow... the bottom line is that startup folks aren't stable.
Now, after 6 years and probably 50 startups that my team has helped - big or small, I am able to sit down and list all the reasons why working with startup folks is no less than amazing.
1. They aren't stable.
Yes, the one reason people warned me about, turned out to be the biggest advantage. Don't get me wrong, we had invested the prime of our youths in the growth efforts of startups that have changed their entire concept over night, but so what?
There's nothing more boring than working with companies who are afraid to change. Old fashion companies need online marketing but rarely agree to the changes, ideas and craziness of a team like us.
2. Being a super-early bird.
Upcoming startups come to our office and tell us about their product before anyone else. We get to see exciting products, gadgets, widgets, plugins and apps before other people do. As a tech addict, I feel like a child in a candy store when given a new product to test firsthand.
3. They love recommending you.
Startups folks all know each other, and they love telling their friends about their experiences - good or bad. If they enjoyed your service, you will hear from all of their friends. Keep in mind that if they didn't, you should be aware that it will also go a long way.
4. They know the lingo.
A few years ago I helped one of the biggest corporations in the world with optimizing their website. I was working directly with their marketing manager and I remember having to explain for 2 hours over the phone what a page title was. When the phone call wasn't enough, I had to prepare a short presentation to show them where a page title is located...
Startup folks speak the same language as us, they know the work and some of them would have been able to actually do it, should they had time.
5. Satisfaction.
Unlike regular businesses, with startups the meaning of "success" is huge, gigantic and sometimes unreal. If we helped a startup defeat its competitors or go viral, it means tons of money for the founders, and that's about the biggest satisfaction I can get.
6. It's educating.
There's nothing more educating than working with a wide range of startups. Just this year we have worked with 4 startups that help ecommerce websites increase their conversions. There isn't a conversion optimization guide in the blogosphere that can come close to teaching you what working with all those tools can.
7. They're the same persona as you.
Speaking tech isn't everything when it comes to working with clients. Generally, it's just more fun working with people from your age range, sharing the same thoughts and crazy ideas, laughing at the same stuff and being afraid of the same things. It makes going to work not feeling like working at all.
