Derek Sivers

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• How can I capture the attention of potential investors when I don't know anyone to give me a referral?

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    Referalls are over-rated. Most good investors keep a pretty open-door for new opportunities. Just contact them directly.

• Where can I find people to beta test my app?

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    Hopefully you created your app to solve people’s problems. So just find the exact people that have that problem.

• What is the best way to vet an idea to know if it's good enough to build a company around?

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    Read Business Model Generation. Read Lean Startup. Start with a small premise and go test it, to find out. Adjust and repeat. Ditch it if it’s not getting a great reaction.

• I'm looking to open a salon. How can I go about finding the best stylists? Craigslists? Beauty Schools?

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    All of the above, and more. Meet as many people as possible. Only hire ones who the customers love.

• Hi Derek, we have just launched our new site www.1songworld.com - we focus on producing an OSW (one song world/website) dedicated to each and every single for quality musicians worldwide, all languages, all genres and then target promote these new singles to media, festivals, venues etc - your feedback and advice how to succeed would be so appreciated Tx Jonty I

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    Sorry I can’t help, but really only your customers' feedback and advice is what matters. Focus entirely on them. Ignore gurus.

• What were some challenges you had when you first started CD Baby? How did you go about surpassing them?

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    No challenges. See http://vimeo.com/25491878

• How many employees do you think are necessary when first starting out and what should their roles include?

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    None are necessary. Avoid employees as long as possible, perhaps forever. (Yes, really.)

• How soon should you begin to market and generate buzz about your startup before launching?

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    None before launching! See http://sivers.org/buyable

    Launch quietly, helping a few real customers. Make sure the first few customers are thrilled before you continue.

    Be patient and thorough, not greedy.

    Then once you’ve made 100 incremental improvements for 100 customers, then you can start to spread the story.

    Better yet, aim to make your existing customers so happy that they tell everyone.