|#542 MWAVC| — Follow Up or Fail 📩
How to get the most out of new relationships.
Hi,
Welcome (back) to MWAVC, a newsletter about finance, investing, venture capital and all that jazz. My name is Ato (more about me here and here) and I try to write every single day, inspired by Seth Godin (Seth’s Blog) and Fred Wilson (AVC). I haven’t done the best job over the last few months (read: years 😬), but I’m working to be better and more consistent, even as I manage this crazy schedule.
In case you’re new here. Quick introduction: I’ve been investing in some way shape or form for the last 12+ years and now work with one of the pre-eminent VC firms in Africa - Microtraction, and the family office that acts as the GP - Pave Investments. Read more on us here and here. Most of these writing are stuff I find interesting that I’d like to share and hear your thoughts on. This is also an outlet for my thoughts, lessons, asks etc. and I think you’d find most of it valuable if you’re remotely interested in learning about venture capital.
I’d be developing the content more, including things I think will be helpful and would appreciate any feedback on what’s working vs. not, and what could be helpful for you over the long term. If you’d like to sign up, you can do so here. Or just read on.
And BTW, If you are a (or know any) pre-seed, seed or Series A investor, looking to co-invest in African founders, please introduce them to me (ato@microtraction.com). Happy to learn about the next generation of category-defining businesses.
Follow Up or Fail 📩
Just landed in Nairobi for the Africa Tech Summit happening here for the next 2 days. Looking forward to connecting with old friends, and making some new ones in the industry. If you or anyone you know is here, I’d love to be connected and meet up!
Conferences are really only good for one thing: to meet like-minded people who can help you fulfil your mission and goals. Most people have short conversations, exchange contacts and then crickets… Don’t be that person if you’re at ATS. Following up is the key to success in any field. I’m bringing this post back to serve as a guide for how to send a follow up email to people you meet anywhere, really. Enjoy.
Just because I had a conversation with one of my friends who asked for advice on reaching out to people, I decided to put this together. Make sure your asks are reasonable for the busiest of people. First, keep your emails short, simple, and to the point. Second, if you send an email asking for something, do the first three steps of thinking for them. Make it really easy for the other person to say yes or no without creating an imposition.
Example:
Subject: Introduction to (HUNTED PERSON)
Hi Chris,
Thanks again for our discussion on Friday. I appreciate your offer to introduce me to (HUNTED PERSON), to explore if there may be sales leadership roles within (COMPANY) where I can share the valuable experience I gained building (MY LAST COMPANY)’s (INDUSTRY) business.
My CV is attached to this note. I'll keep you advised with my progress.
Best regards,
(HUNTER)
(FULL NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER)
Simple and straight to the point.
I hope this is helpful to some founders out there. I’m happy to speak more on this with anyone looking to build a company and wants feedback. Thinking of bringing my Office Hours back for founders to book 30 minutes to tell me about themselves, their businesses and ask for feedback, but haven’t made a full decision yet. Should I? 😬 (I’ve got 7 yeses to this so far, and looking for 3 more before I push it.
Currently Reading 🎒
Had to review my notes from Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi on my way to Nairobi. This is one of my most recommended books, and in fact, the first book I recommend when people ask me for book recs.
Currently Listening 🎧
Started listening to this episode on JAY Z on Good Bad Billionaire. First time listening to the podcast, and I’m not mad at it.
If you are a (or know any) pre-seed, seed or Series A investor, looking to co-invest in African founders, please introduce them to me (ato@microtraction.com) and let’s do some work together.
Remember: Remember: “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”
Please share and subscribe as well.
Till tomorrow,
AB