I’m feeling great about our launch at TechCrunch50 this week. The presentation went really well, especially considering that: 1) we didn’t get funded until June 26 and therefore only had 2.5 months to get a product built; 2) we never practiced the presentation, and our rehearsal with Michael and Jason absolutely bombed; and 3) we completely re-wrote the presentation on Sunday and Monday for a first-up Tuesday slot.
But here’s the real takeaway: I whiffed the Q&A. I’m not sure if it was simply relief that we actually got through it pretty well, intimidation of the panel, or exhaustion, but I just didn’t step up with the answers that I have to the key questions of distribution, revenue, and focus.
Distribution: In addition to direct download from tingz.net and software download slots, we’ll be distributing Tingz in two other primary ways: as downloads from our content partners’ sites, and as pre-installed software on certain devices, particularly non-traditional connected consumer electronics. We already have discussions underway on both fronts.
Revenue: Our business model isn’t so limited to ads and e-commerce. Assuming we get distribution, we can monetize what becomes an incredibly deep datastore of user behavior and demographics. We’ll then have the ability to optimize ad revenue due to contextual and behavioral targeting, and our model also accounts for freemium pricing; we just haven’t yet defined features and prices.
Focus: The other experts seemed to agree with Roelof that we’re trying to do too much. They may have a point. We actually have a version of our launch plan in which we limit Tingz to a pretty specific problem and market. Perhaps this is worth revisiting, with the expectation that as we learn and evolve, we can take on larger platform opportunities.
Thanks to the expert panel. They were tough but fair. Wish I’d been on my A-game. You can bet I will next time.
Tags: tc50
September 15th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Don’t sell yourself too short Patrick. Getting to the big leagues of the TechCrunch50 chosen few is quite a honor. That in itself says much about your product and market potential. Good luck as you progress through the next phase of development. Again, congratulations!
Best,
Ron Feinbaum
September 16th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Don’t get me wrong: our team did a fantastic job getting us to the stage at TC50, and we’re proud of the accomplishment. We have great enthusiasm for our product and the markets we’re addressing. Simply, I could have done a much better job with the Q&A. Thanks for the input!