In the early days of Clever, we would send out 10 to 50 cold emails to prospects, ensuring they were short, personalized, and actionable to increase the chances of getting a response.

Successful startups often start with non-scalable methods to acquire their first customers before moving to scalable growth channels.

When starting a company, it's crucial to validate your idea rigorously rather than relying on superficial methods like cold emailing a large number of people.

Startups typically use a top-down sales motion to sell expensive products to executives at large companies and a Bottoms Up motion to acquire individual users, which can lead to sales to those executives.

Successful founders remember the names and stories of their first customers, emphasizing the importance of personal connections over impersonal marketing tactics.

Sales should be prioritized early in the startup process, as engaging with customers can lead to better product development and quicker sales success.

Many startups think they can rely solely on self-serve flows and ads for sales, but this approach often overlooks the need for direct sales efforts and effective messaging.

Many founders are shy about reaching out to customers, but overcoming that awkwardness is essential for success.

Personalize, be human, be persistent, and do the work to turn cold emails into customers.