What Founders Can Learn From Journalists

Cold pitching, understanding incentives and being human.

When I quit my last newsroom job a little over a year ago, I didn’t anticipate I’d rely on so much of my reporting training as a founder.

I worked in newsrooms of all sizes. Bloomberg, one of the largest in the world. The Information, a startup that delivers exclusives about the tech industry to subscribers. And BuzzFeed before its demise (rest in peace), among others. Different newsrooms but the lessons were the same.

And they are just as indispensable now.

Write like a human

I’m a former reporter who now advises startups and other founders on media strategy, while building my own haircare brand, podcast and this newsletter. So I can tell you from each of those perches: Most people struggle to articulate what they’re doing and why it matters.

This skill is invaluable no matter what you are selling: shampoo, software or your value as an investor.

B2B companies have a lot to learn from how people sell protein bars and cereal. Your message will stick with your audience if it is clear and memorable. Don’t be boring!