Yesterday, for the first time, I tried Product Hunt, a platform where your project is gaining popularity through likes and voting. The more approvals you get, the higher you are in the top, and the faster investors will notice you.

Our project has gained 20 likes and already holds the 19th place in Today's ranking and the 277th in the weekly chart. But for me, Product Hunt is not only a way to promote, but also a networking tool. After the launch, we were liked by a developer with three years of experience at Amazon and the founder of a startup from Silicon Valley with a million-dollar capitalization. I immediately contacted them and made two valuable professional acquaintances.

In any field, the key is connections and people. I've always been able to build relationships: at the age of 18, I was already leading a team of 10 guys around the world — developers, designers, and marketers. Who I didn't even hire, that's how it turned out.

An administrative resource is equally important. Once, for 15,000 rubles, I organized a meeting with the management of the largest restaurant chain in Russia (more than 70 establishments). After signing the contract, I was treated differently - this network was a reference point for the entire market.

Tip number 1: invest in networking — even small investments in communications pay off many times.

Tip # 2: surround yourself with the most ambitious and professional people — the less "ballast" you have, the faster your growth rate.

P.S. Spend less time on people who drag you down. Build your network consciously and purposefully, and it will bring you real opportunities!

#startup #founder #networking #blog #vc