What would you give to be an extra in Star Wars: Episode VII or “blow sh*t up” with Arnold Schwarzenegger? These once in a lifetime experiences are how local LA startup Omaze raises funds and awareness for the world’s best nonprofit organizations – and we were lucky enough to spend an hour with Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Matt Pohlson.
The Stack Speaker Series is a quarterly event here at StackCommerce, during which the team has the opportunity to pick the brains of amazing leaders, innovators, and angel investors in the Silicon Beach area. Read on for the the top 5 lessons we learned while lunching with Omaze Co-CEO, Matt Pohlson:
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Experiment with multiple platforms
Like many startups, Omaze didn’t find its success right out of the gate. Their first campaign with the show “Cupcake Wars” didn’t yield the proceeds they had expected. So what turned the corner? Getting the word out in the right places. Facebook, radio, video, PR: all of these platforms proved essential for growth from that point forward.
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Don’t underestimate the power of humor
Infusing humor into content, whether it be campaign videos or blog posts, is a great way to increase shareability and the chances of virality. The key: make consumers want to engage with your content – it goes a long way.
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Don’t assume each audience is the same
At Omaze, each campaign beckons a distinct audience and strategy. For example: if you’re running a campaign targeted at gamers, try gamifying the entry process. Running a campaign with a TV show? Put resources into video content. Know your audience and speak their language.
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Hire mindfully
If even a small part of you doesn’t feel a hire is right, chances are it won’t be. When it comes to the formative years of a startup, the team is everything.
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Keep Learning
Cultivate a growth mindset. Surround yourself with advisors and continue to learn and evolve with every challenge.
