Technical

Srinivasa Reddy Kandi: Startup Wisdom: How to Get Your Startup Noticed — 5 Principles to Master

September, 10, 2025-03:58

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Startup Wisdom: How to Get Your Startup Noticed — 5 Principles to Master:

Startup Wisdom is a new TNW series that shares practical lessons from experts who’ve helped build world-class companies. In this edition, Lize Hong, founder of the strategic communications firm Venture Vox, reveals five principles every startup must master to capture attention and grow.

Startups rarely fail because their product isn’t good enough. More often, they fail because nobody knows they exist — or worse, nobody cares. It’s harsh, but true. The old saying “build it and they will come” is a myth. For startups, attention is oxygen. Without it, even the best ideas struggle to survive.

Hong has seen this firsthand. As a communications strategist, she has defended the reputations of giants like Google and Uber, while also helping hundreds of startups build visibility across Europe and the US — from pre-seed stages through IPOs.

Now, through Venture Vox, she works directly with founders to craft sharp, resonant messaging that breaks through the noise. Her experience shows that the most successful founders are those who know exactly what makes them unique and communicate it with absolute clarity.

“Too many founders leave success to chance,” Hong says. “Clear messaging isn’t just marketing — it’s a force multiplier for your brand.”

5 Principles to Get Your Startup Noticed

1. Nail crystal-clear messaging:
If you can’t explain what your startup does in 20 seconds, you’re already at a disadvantage. The best communicators aren’t the flashiest — they’re the ones who make complex ideas simple.

Every founder should be able to clearly state:

The problem they solve
The solution they provide
The benefit for the customer

Cut the jargon and ditch buzzwords like “cutting-edge” or “disruptive.” Test your pitch on someone outside your industry. If they don’t get it, neither will investors, customers, or the press. Clarity always beats cleverness.

2. Tell your story with structure:
People connect with stories, not feature lists. Founders should master three repeatable narratives:

Product story — how your product solves a real, widespread problem.
Founder story — why you are the right person to build it.
Company story — how your startup is growing and where it’s headed.

A strong storytelling framework makes pitching, hiring, and securing coverage far easier — because it creates both emotional and logical buy-in.

3. Make PR work for your goals:
Press coverage should be strategic, not just a vanity metric. Before drafting a press release, ask: “How does this help us achieve our goals?”

Raising a round? Use PR to build investor credibility.
Entering a new market? Focus on local coverage.
Identify your top priorities, then craft communications that target the right audience with precision.

4. Know that PR isn’t always the answer:
Not every update is news. Many startups waste time chasing headlines for announcements that won’t land. If you wouldn’t care about the story from another company, no one else will either.

Sometimes, the smarter move is to share updates via LinkedIn, a company blog, or newsletters. Use PR only when your story is timely, relevant, impactful, or unusual enough to stand out.

5. Engage with media only when you’re ready:
Media coverage can amplify your credibility — but it can also expose weaknesses. Before speaking with journalists, make sure you have:

A working product
A sharp, consistent message
A compelling story

Do your homework on who you’re speaking with, practice your key points, and anticipate tough questions. Always follow up with clear, factual details to build trust and strengthen relationships for future coverage.

Author: Kandi Srinivasa Reddy, Srinivasa Reddy Kandi, #KandiSrinivasaReddy, #SrinivasaReddyKandi