---About Business Development Programs---

Most mid and small cities have some sort of business development program. The goal of these programs is to generate jobs in the local community. I googled 'reno business development program' and came up with this link: http://www.nsbdc.org/

The business development program I'm in provides hours with a life coach (for time management), marketing consultant, SEO consultant, web designer (I don't use this one), a CPA and a lawyer. They also provide introductions in the community.

I think the stated output of the program is a polished business plan. Everybody in the tech scene scoffs at business plans (and most of it is justified). However, if you want any financing, you'll need one. And it's actually a very powerful tool to help you focus and answer questions you haven't thought about yet. A business plan is really for you, not anybody else. At least that's the value I'm getting out of it.

The program is not internet startup specific, but you really don't need that (I'm assuming you've never started a business before). You need help with the basic nuts and bolts of operating a business.

The primary benefit I get out of it is accountability. You commit to certain milestones. Then you're on the hook to deliver. Personally, I really need this type of support.

---Hiring a Designer---

This one is very tricky because design is so subjective.

I used oDesk to find my designer.

I'm very picky about design aesthetics, so I can be kind of demanding. I looked at a bunch of portfolios and tried out a couple designers before I found my guy.

I would give fairly specific instructions that still had some room for artistic interpretation. I was partly evaluating their ability to read directions (most people suck at this), turnaround time and the quality of the work.

Again, being subjective, the quality was really just 'do I like it'.

I ended up working with a Romania designer that speaks perfect english, turns out great work and is really fast. The only downside is that I pay $25/hr for him, which I think is pretty high for outsourced design. He's worth every penny because of his efficency and the fact we don't have to go back and forth iterating a bunch of times. Usually his first pass only requires one round of minor tweaks.

One note of caution would be to not get too picky with minor stuff. Perfection is the enemy of good enough. You're just going for good enough.

---Technical Support Clarificaiton---

I was referring to finding technical talent/resources/people, not the specific operational task of 'tech support' or 'customer support'.

---Engaging Potential Customers---

Coming from a similar background, it's pretty scary, isn't it?! :)

It's actually not that scary. The hardest part is just doing it. People are nice and want to help you out.

Leverage your network for potential customers.

Make sure your first interactions are with lower-value potential customers; preferably customers you have a personal/existing relationship with. You don't want your first customer interaction to be with a high-value target because you will fall flat on your face! Inevitably the customer will ask you some really simple obvious question about your product/service and it will completely blindside you because you never thought about it. Yea...get those questions out of the way in the lowest risk environment.

The purpose of your first interactions is to feel out the space you are trying to work in. Do they have an existing vendor providing the same/similar services? How much is that service? Do they like it? What do they like best? What do they like least? What's it missing? What pains are they having (probably not within the space you are trying to be in, but very important question to identify other synergistic opportunities)? How can you help?

Notice it's really going to be a lot of asking open-ended questions and listening. Common sense stuff, but most people screw it up and talk too much.

Talk just enough to establish expertise and trust, then shut up and let them tell you want to build.

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Wow, that was a long response. Good thing I get paid by the word. Haha.