Comments on: Interview with the Great Wizard of Moz, Rand Fishkin

By: Ryan Kent

Ryan Kent — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:24:00 +0000

Exceptional interview. Rand, you asked all the questions I would have wanted asked if I was there. Furthermore, you pressed for greater transparency when the answers were not immediately forthcoming. Appreciate all the information shared by Greg as well.

By: David Rosenthal

David Rosenthal — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 07:39:00 +0000

Seriously great interview! May even top the snowman for best VC exposé on the internet…

By: Thea Few

Thea Few — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:24:00 +0000

Fantastic informative interview. I would recommend this interview to all entrepreneurs whether they need to raise money or not. Thanks for your candid comments.

By: Markus Allen

Markus Allen — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:47:00 +0000

I’m always tough on Rand about stuff, but this was top notch. Interviewing is Rand’s calling. I’m eating dinner without my family right now, because I can’t turn off this interview.

By: greggottesman

greggottesman — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:29:00 +0000

Thanks. The defer part also applies to a good CEO-VC relationship. If you are going to hold the CEO responsible for achieving year-end results, you have to be deferential to the CEO on choosing his/her team and the day-to-day decisions required to get there.

By: Doc Sheldon

Doc Sheldon — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:17:00 +0000

Excellent interview, guys! Greg, you shared some points that make a lot of sense, but I think the two that resonated the most with me are the trust aspect, going both ways, and the willingness to both challenge and defer to someone. I think the latter applies well in virtually any relationship. Looking forward to seeing more of your blog posts, as well.

By: Monet Diamante

Monet Diamante — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 09:02:00 +0000

Greg, I appreciate the quick reply, thank you. I didn’t realize that only a couple of investments are made each year/ probably been watching too much Shark Tank, thinking several deals are made a week . Thank you, again.

By: greggottesman

greggottesman — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 08:35:00 +0000

You are right. To begin with, it’s very hard to get a meeting if there is no prior relationship. Assuming you get a meeting (meaning there is something that the investor likes about you or the business), I still think it is less than 1% that it ends up in an investment. With a prior relationship, depending on the strength of it, it is a lot higher. That said, most VCs will make one or maybe two investments a year, so the math is stîll hard.

By: Monet Diamante

Monet Diamante — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 08:21:00 +0000

Awesome interview all around! Question: You talk about how it’s smart to have a relationship up front with the investors, it’s easier and better for both parties. What would you say the success rate is in situations where it’s more of a blind meeting versus a relationship that has been built over time. (My assumption is the latter is more successful, but I’m new to this entire industry and trying to gauge where the opportunities are.) Thanks for your time, and again great interview both of you!

By: bfeld

bfeld — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:09:00 +0000

Awesome job guys! Love it.