[alphagenerator]

The e-mail thing is the killer. Can you make recommendations for how to network with investors when someone is coming from outside Silicon Valley?

I too am in the finance space and my networks are concentrated in NY and Chicago. However, because I want to take a more product-centric approach initially, I feel like I should be talking to people in California instead. Just one problem: I don't know too many finance people in California.

Is the short answer to just fly out there and do my best to network within the span of a few months?

[billclerico]

I don't really like the word "network" as a verb. It implies that you are trying to schmooze your way into getting people to like you at cocktail parties. (I'm not saying you are, I'm just saying that's what the term implies to me) I don't think that's an effective strategy.

What I might recommend is spending a few months out here building some real relationships with smart people who are genuinely interested in your business. If you've got a quality concept & product, then good people will take notice. But it's a long process, measured in many months (maybe a year).

Note that YC is probably the most effective way to short circuit this, since it provides a strong signal of quality and helps open a ton of doors - but most importantly it gives you a large, smart & well connected peer group with whom to build relationships with.

[alphagenerator]

Thanks for the wisdom. I appreciate it.