We started with bloggers to gain initial press coverage, which eventually led to national media attention, helping us gain traction despite being in debt.

YC founders often ask each other for introductions to journalists, making it easier to connect with the press.

We chose not to spend money on marketing but focused on public relations, which resulted in significant media coverage, including an article in the Wall Street Journal.

In late 2009, we decided to publicly announce our product, which led to significant interest and media coverage.

Mainstream press coverage of me has skyrocketed; articles are everywhere, even when nothing happens.

We were confident about our startup, thinking we would get a lot of PR and funding, and we did receive significant media attention and raised $1.2 million in funding.

Engage with journalists on Twitter, as it is an effective platform for building relationships and getting noticed.

After launching Watsi, we experienced a surge of interest, with major media outlets like TechCrunch, Huffington Post, and NBC covering us, leading to a rapid increase in donations that outpaced our ability to post new patients.

Building direct relationships with journalists is crucial for gaining media coverage, rather than relying on PR agencies, which can create unnecessary barriers. I spent $50,000 on a PR agency that didn't understand my company, leading to a waste of money and forcing me to handle press outreach myself, which resulted in a better launch announcement.