Two-Step Reputation Building

A framework for building reputation in the tech/startup world through a two-pronged approach of personal connections and content creation.

Step 1: Build Personal Connections with Influencers

• Meet influential people in real life and earn their respect 1-on-1

  • Focus on people who already have reputation and influence
  • Add value in conversations through feedback and insights
  • Contribute meaningful thoughts to their projects/deals
  • Goal is to have ~300 meaningful connections with influential people

• Develop reputation through association

  • When respected people vouch for you, their credibility transfers
  • Their followers inherit trust in you
  • Example: Getting retweets/endorsements from established figures
  • "If [respected person] says they're great, they're great"

Step 2: Create Valuable Content

• Share original insights and knowledge

  • Must have genuinely interesting thoughts to share
  • Focus on specific areas of expertise
  • Share detailed tactical information others can learn from
  • Example: Growth strategies for specific markets/products

• The "3 Interesting Things" Rule

  • Say one interesting thing - people notice
  • Say two interesting things - people pay attention
  • Say three interesting things - people label you as "interesting"
  • Must be original insights around one focused topic

• Content amplification

  • Having influential connections share your content accelerates growth
  • Their endorsement validates your insights
  • Creates a compound effect with personal relationships

Key principle: Can't hack or fake it - must actually have valuable insights and thoughts to share. The framework just helps amplify genuine expertise.