Couldn't agree more. Our recent experience with this at Addada and blogging our startup as "anti-stealth" via www.wekarma.com had a nice side affect on the people in our community. That side affect being that people we know (and even some we don't) who are not in a position to take the time and/or the risks that we are taking as a startup feel that they can give to our business and service by providing valuable feedback. What they get in return is the feeling of excitement of being involved in a startup and the feeling of "that was my idea" when a comment turns into a feature request and then gets added into the service.
Krassen Dimitrov
· 2 years ago
The ROIs on quality blogging are indeed very good. Such a powerful vehicle to access so many people with virtually no transaction cost. All your investment is in the content...
Luke Razzell
· 2 years ago
Oh, great post Fred! : )
"You get what you give" is certainly a lesson we learn over and over at Blog Friends.
jackson
· 2 years ago
Everything works that way.
fredwilson
· 2 years ago
yup.
Joe Lazarus
· 2 years ago
Well said Fred.
Kid Croesus
· 2 years ago
Great post
Jed Christiansen
· 2 years ago
Well said, Fred. Very well said.
Lee Bryant
· 2 years ago
Nice. You give a lot, BTW, with your blogging. You really are the most engaging VC writer I have come across :-)
Luke H
· 2 years ago
Well said. But, what, no New Radicals song attached to the post?
fredwilson
· 2 years ago
Damn
I wrote it on the plane and forgot
sorry
Dan Blank
· 2 years ago
Fred - this is flat out the best advice on blogging I have ever read. For all the tips and tactics about how to be a successful blogger and engage with an audience - nothing beats the simple act of caring. Thanks for posting this... your larger point about how this extends to all of life is equally well received. Have a great day. -Dan
JohnMaloney
· 2 years ago
Great post and all true, Fred.
Forget the New Radicals --> this is much more about The Scorpions What You Give You Get Back
Great post Fred, couldn't agree more, I think this is very true for all things in life, big and small.
howardlindzon
· 2 years ago
same with viruses by the way.
Greg
· 2 years ago
Wouldn't that be "you give what you get"?
fredwilson
· 2 years ago
It works either way!
Krassen Dimitrov
· 2 years ago
:) true... the quote is also a good paraphrase of the First Law of Thermodynamics... Unfortunately, the Second Law states that You Get Less Than What You Give...
Aruni
· 2 years ago
Fred - I also believe that the more you give, the more you receive. Another way of saying this is 'what goes around comes around.' When I was younger I thought people just said that to feel better about the situation, but I have seen it come around (good and bad). Usually we don't see it come around (if it's bad) but now I believe it does but it may not be in business but elsewhere. Negative energy. Oh yeah, and yet another way to say it biblically 'you reap what you sow.'
I noticed by your twitter posts that you were in Austin. I hope you enjoyed our cool-ish weather. I am following you on twitter but not sure if you see my @ tweets to you...still learning about twitter. I also just met someone who has sat on a BoD with you, Nataly Kagan. She's doing a start-up herself. Small world. I'm evaluating going out for angel funding for my company, Babble Soft, next year.
Happy Holidays!
greenskeptic
· 2 years ago
Posts like this, Fred, are why I come back day after day. You are a gem. Thanks for all you give.
RacerRick
· 2 years ago
Long GIVE
RacerRick
· 2 years ago
Short GET?
Michael Lazerow
· 2 years ago
Fred, this is an awesome post. Hits a little too close to home for me -- working like a dog, have a wife (who I happen to work with) and three young kids.
fredwilson
· 2 years ago
Family first, work second
It's hard but critically important
Fred
Michael Lazerow
· 2 years ago
Absolutely. That's why Kass and I live in the city. We have a 20 block rule. Work, home and kids' school are all within 20 blocks right now so we can work hard, be there for the kids and be there for each other. Happy holidays.
Hadar
· 2 years ago
I too am a VC based in NY. I only blog about personal stuff though, so nothing in my blog comes even close to being as interesting as the stuff in yours, bravo!
This morning, I was pointed to your blog by the CTO of the first company that I invested in, nearly 10 years ago. I am now subscribed, thanks!
My posts are way too long, as would be my full comment here. I'll spare anyone who isn't interested in hearing my full comment on this post by not putting it here in line. For those who are curious, I just posted my "comment" on my own blog. ;-)
Hint, the title gives it away, so you don't have to click if that doesn't interest you. :-)
I enjoyed reading this...the work-life balance is so out of whack for many people and they are enslaved to their job. They are afraid to give more time for their families in case they don't keep up with the pace at work. Fear plays a great part in defining people and sometimes they're not even aware of it; they think its ambition that is driving them. I think the fact that you took heed of what the psychologist said is great. When people pay attention to messages sent for a reason, they can improve their lives.
Bob
· 2 years ago
very inspiring. thanks!
Nic Brisbourne
· 2 years ago
Great post. As a dad, VC and blogger I couldn't agree more. Shame there isn't more of a community round where I live in London.
crawford
· 2 years ago
Thanks Fred. Return on Emotion is hard to measure but worth tracking.
Michael D.
· 2 years ago
I've always believed in a similar maxim when it comes to charitable giving and see some lessons here for my young daughters. Thanks for the timely post: Made my day.
All Comments
"You get what you give" is certainly a lesson we learn over and over at Blog Friends.
I wrote it on the plane and forgot
sorry
Thanks for posting this... your larger point about how this extends to all of life is equally well received.
Have a great day.
-Dan
Forget the New Radicals --> this is much more about The Scorpions What You Give You Get Back
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VVlsFu0iU-o
the quote is also a good paraphrase of the First Law of Thermodynamics...
Unfortunately, the Second Law states that You Get Less Than What You Give...
I noticed by your twitter posts that you were in Austin. I hope you enjoyed our cool-ish weather. I am following you on twitter but not sure if you see my @ tweets to you...still learning about twitter. I also just met someone who has sat on a BoD with you, Nataly Kagan. She's doing a start-up herself. Small world. I'm evaluating going out for angel funding for my company, Babble Soft, next year.
Happy Holidays!
It's hard but critically important
Fred
This morning, I was pointed to your blog by the CTO of the first company that I invested in, nearly 10 years ago. I am now subscribed, thanks!
My posts are way too long, as would be my full comment here. I'll spare anyone who isn't interested in hearing my full comment on this post by not putting it here in line. For those who are curious, I just posted my "comment" on my own blog. ;-)
Hint, the title gives it away, so you don't have to click if that doesn't interest you. :-)
http://www.opticality.com/blog/2007/12/18/round...