My 'Tips Given' rank on Mahalo Answers is #39. What tip would I need to give for this question to earn the #1 rank and if I did it ...
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M$7 Answers
One of those people taught me that, "success isn't learned, success is accomplished".
While it may sound attractive to hear the opinions of an industry pro, it's much more effective to know what they would say without asking them. At any point in time an individual like Jason Calacanis (herein referred to as JCal) will give you a variety of different responses based on their experiences to date. Even though these people (JCal included) are exceptionally successful and maybe even brilliant, a simple conversation will not reveal a true answer to the questions that you would like answered.
While a conversation with JCal could provide encouragement, insight, validation or even direction, it can not provide the best path for you to take. Knowing what decisions that a successful person (or better yet a number of successful people) would make when presented with your unique situation CAN provide that path.
In short, I applaud your desire to attract Jason's attention and seek the advice of an industry leader. However, in this arena, you're going about it wrong.
I suggest that you deeply consider what questions you would ask ANY industry leader including JCal. Carefully phrase those questions and then ask them here with a large value to attract in-depth, caring answers and a flurry of activity. Personally invite JCal to contribute to each important question. This contribution by JCal and the other talented and experienced members of the Mahalo Answers community could likely provide you with deep, informative answers. Don't let secrecy or product protection get in the way.
Beyond this, if you're not sure of your ideas, you simply need more experience and more market research. Jason himself has mentioned that several rising stars of the web industry have started in the companies that he's formed. He considers this mutually beneficial scenario good for him, his companies and the people who have worked with him. If you can't relocate to California, find another person or another way to obtain the experience gained through mentorship. Also, don't take market research lightly - completing it should be a top priority of any business plan that you're going to act on.
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M$
Now, rather than giving the approximately $1400 you'd need to overtake Jason as number one tipper out in a question, you could see what offering a $1400 tip directly to Jason for a private question might get you...
But seeing as he probably doesn't need the money himself, I bet he'd be willing to take the promise of you spending that money on future tips in exchange for some of his time (who doesn't want to make $1400 an hour?). You could even show your good intentions by buying the M$ now.
Personally, I think he'd rather have several $100 questions asked over several weeks/months than a large question all at once. But I could be wrong. Maybe a $1000 question is some publicity he would like.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Tips given ranks:
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/top_members?sort=tips_given
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
2. The top non-Mahalo user in tips given is Darcy I think.... M$194.
3. Ask me questions on Mahalo Answers and I will answer them 99% of the time.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Number of tips given by you is:60
Number of tips pending(question not yet got best answer) for you is :10 excluding this question
So number of tips you need to ask for this question is:1373 or if you are going to select no best answer for the pending question it will be 1383
BUT
Jason Calacanis has many pending question so tips will be increasing at any time and if it increases even if you give the above 1383 or 1373 tip you will be in 2nd position only
For your second question---Maybe he might consider it. Why not try asking a direct question on whether he can spare one hour of his time on helpful advice for you. Does it need any special qualification or criteria.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Darron
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I hope you, pay for the answer and not for something else! ;-)
But it may or may not not buy you one hour of Jason Calacanis' time! Your question has to be interesting enough, for Jason to spend an hour on that and just the $2000 tip will not do it!!!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
This is a very good answer. I can give some advice and maybe get people pumped up, but they have to get in the game and play it if they want to be successful. Talking to folks in your field with success is certainly a good idea, but a better idea is to talk to everyone and then trust your gut. After you've done that you need to be militant in making decisions about how your choices have done in the market. I've had great ideas that fall flat, I've hired the wrong people and I've made countless blunders--however I try to correct them quickly and without emotion. I think that's a big skill: not being obsessed with being right on the first shot.
I'm obsessed with rapid improvement.