Startup Builders & Backers
Startup Builders & Backers
Podcast Description
Startup Builders & Backers is a podcast that takes you inside the minds of the people shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Part of the Tech Talks Network, this series goes beyond headlines and hype to bring you real conversations with startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and seasoned operators who are building, backing, and scaling the next generation of companies.You might know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a broad spectrum of business technology. But here, the focus narrows to the pulse of the startup ecosystem. From the spark of an idea to the complexities of funding, go-to-market strategies, team building, and exits, this series unpacks what it really takes to create a successful venture in today’s fast-moving environment.In each episode, we uncover what motivates founders to leave stability behind in pursuit of something bigger. We explore how investors identify promise amid uncertainty, what they’re looking for right now, and how early-stage bets evolve into long-term partnerships. Along the way, we look at the less polished moments—the pivots, the pressures, and the personal lessons that shape both people and products.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor looking for your next big bet, or a startup operator navigating growth, these conversations offer insight, connection, and an honest look at the reality behind the pitch decks.So what does it take to build something from nothing, and who are the people willing to take that risk? Let’s find out together. And if you’ve got a story to tell or a venture to share, I’d love to hear from you.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various critical topics within the startup landscape, including international expansion strategies, legal implications of AI on intellectual property, team building, and funding dynamics. Specific episodes cover themes like avoiding risks when taking a startup international and the evolving legal frameworks surrounding AI-generated content.
Startup Builders & Backers is a podcast that takes you inside the minds of the people shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Part of the Tech Talks Network, this series goes beyond headlines and hype to bring you real conversations with startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and seasoned operators who are building, backing, and scaling the next generation of companies.
You might know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a broad spectrum of business technology. But here, the focus narrows to the pulse of the startup ecosystem. From the spark of an idea to the complexities of funding, go-to-market strategies, team building, and exits, this series unpacks what it really takes to create a successful venture in today’s fast-moving environment.
In each episode, we uncover what motivates founders to leave stability behind in pursuit of something bigger. We explore how investors identify promise amid uncertainty, what they’re looking for right now, and how early-stage bets evolve into long-term partnerships. Along the way, we look at the less polished moments—the pivots, the pressures, and the personal lessons that shape both people and products.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor looking for your next big bet, or a startup operator navigating growth, these conversations offer insight, connection, and an honest look at the reality behind the pitch decks.
So what does it take to build something from nothing, and who are the people willing to take that risk? Let’s find out together. And if you’ve got a story to tell or a venture to share, I’d love to hear from you.
You’ve probably heard it before: “Self-published books don’t make money.” But what if we’re measuring success with the wrong metrics? Eric Jorgensen, CEO of Scribe Media and million-copy bestselling author, challenges this conventional wisdom with a simple but powerful insight: “A book does not have to make money to make you money.”
Rethinking Book Success
The math is compelling. While most self-published books won’t sell millions of copies, even reaching 1,000-5,000 targeted readers can transform a business. Look at any major conference – roughly half the speakers include “author” in their bios, often listing it before achievements that took far longer to accomplish. Why? Because books build authority at scale.
Forget the image of the solitary author in a cabin. Today’s most successful business authors work with teams, use structured processes, and leverage technology. As Jorgensen notes, “There’s such thing as writer’s block, but there’s no such thing as talker’s block.” Modern book creation is about converting expertise into written content, often through conversation and collaboration.
Technology as the Game-Changer
While AI won’t replace human authors, it’s revolutionizing the process of creating books. From organizing content to generating ideas and processing existing materials (like podcasts and talks), technology is making book creation more accessible. The key is understanding that “options are now free, and the judgment to choose the options remains human.”
The Audio Advantage
Audiobooks now generate up to one-third of book royalties for some authors. However, the format decision extends beyond financial considerations. For consultants, speakers, and experts, narrating your audiobook creates a powerful trust bridge. When prospects hear your voice for hours before meeting you, you’ve already built significant credibility.
Strategic Over Mass Market
Success isn’t about maximizing hardcover sales. It’s about reaching the right readers. One Scribe Media author who helps financial planners transition their businesses found that readers who connected with his book became clients. Another, a lawyer, converted readers into high-value customers. The book became their most effective sales tool.
The publishing world has changed. Success no longer means hitting bestseller lists or selling hundreds of thousands of copies. Instead, it’s about strategically positioning your expertise and reaching the readers who can become your best clients, partners, and advocates.
A well-executed book isn’t just another product, it’s a business transformation tool that works while you sleep.
Want to get started? Begin by defining your ideal reader and the change you want to create. The technology and teams are in place to support everything else.
Disclaimer
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