Ultra Light Startups Presents Email Marketing Strategies for Startups

It was a packed house Thursday night for Ultra Light Startups as the company unveiled its new meeting location in Midtown Manhattan at Sun Microsystems. The night kicked off with a slew of entrepreneurs pitching their sites and services to a captive audience.

Tonight’s panel topic was “Email Marketing Strategies for Startup Companies.” The all-star panel included:
• Greg Cangialosi the CEO of Blue Sky Factory
• Neil Capel, Founder and CEO of SailThru
• Adam Rich, Co-founder and Editor-in-chief of Thrillist
• Maisha Walker with Message Medium

The panel covered a wide variety of issues including finding the right email marketing strategies and helpful tips on selecting the email service distributors that are best for your business. The panel agreed that the days of renting e-mails lists and sending out e-mail blasts to unwilling participants are coming to an end.

The moderator, Maisha Walker explained that the emailing landscape has undergone a great deal of change in the past couple of years.

“It’s not just about sending emails out, it’s a discovery process,” says Walker. “You want to find out what your customers are interested in and what will keep them coming back for more.”

Neil Capel with SailThru says fresh content and interesting emails are a critical component during any e-mail campaign.

“Always send quality and engaging emails,” said Capel. “If they’re not good, people are going to opt out.

“Email is all about e-relevance, said Greg Cangialosi with the Blue Sky Factory. “Without new and fresh content, poor quality emails could do serious damage to your online reputation.”

Cangialosi also says if you do decide to rent an e-mail list, here are some questions to ask before you hire any e-mail service distributor:
• Don’t get sucked into anything shady.
• What are their list practices?
• Where did they get the names?

“There is no magic bullet for building a successful email list,” says Adam Rich, Co-founder and Editor-in-chief of Thrillist. “The best shot you have is to create a great product and put strong content behind it.”

The panel also agreed that integrating social media into your email campaigns is likely to give you a significant boost in viewership. Have the tools available and if your email is interesting, many people will be happy to use the social media share function.

Ultra Light Startups Legal Panel Addresses Business Immigration Challenges

Ultra Light Startups audience at Legal Round Table event.

Ultra Light Startups presented a Legal Roundtable discussion Tuesday night designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the tricky business of dealing with immigration.

The panel was made up of three attorneys, Andrew Lerner, Jonathan Freedman and Stephen Chin. Freedman and Chin advise entrepreneurs on the legal ins and outs of getting a new company off the ground, while Lerner deals exclusively with business immigration.

Lerner led the discussion by cautioning that immigration is becoming nastier and more difficult to deal with. Lerner says that immigrants are under extreme government scrutiny right now and many employers are already being targeted.

“Government agencies are making sure that all employees are documented properly and that all employers are following the letter of the law,” said Lerner. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a foreign national or a U.S. Citizen, if the immigration paperwork isn’t perfect, government agencies are cracking down.”

Next up was Jonathan Freedman who covered the ins and outs of when to incorporate your start up company. Freedman says there are two basic factors that should prompt entrepreneurs to incorporate:

• When the business is taking on material contracts.
• When the person is ready to form a partnership.

Freedman says, “When you form a partnership, it’s very important to determine who owns what, even if that partner is your best friend. Conditions need to be set forth and agreed upon to avoid future trouble.”

Stephen Chin rounded out the legal panel by addressing various topics including trademarks, copyrights and patents. Chin explained that it takes about six months to a year to go through the trademark application process and costs approximately $300.

Chin also talked about the hardship of trying to obtain intellectual property rights. He says it can be incredibly difficult and time consuming, but if you are successful in getting them, it can definitely pay dividends in the future.

Gary Vaynerchuk: Let Passion Drive Your Success

New Jersey’s Wine Wildman and Social Media Magnate, Gary Vaynerchuk hosts a Video Wine Series on the Internet that snags more than 80,000 viewers per day. His new book “Crush It! – Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion” is gathering momentum across the country.

He hosted a book signing in New York City Wednesday night at the Columbus Circle Borders Book Store.

The 33-year-old entrepreneur blew up the family business (in a good way) helping it skyrocket from $4 million to $60 million in just the last five years.

As the title might suggest, Vaynerchuk says there has never been a better time than right now to cash in on your passion.

All wine aside, Vaynerchuk says his true passion is the New York Jets and his ultimate goal is to someday buy the team. It comes as no surprise that he’s even found a way to integrate his passion for the Jets and wine during his video wine broadcasts. After he samples each wine, he spits the remainder of the wine into his special Jets trashcan.

Vaynerchuk says there has never been a better time in history to reach out to consumers using the Internet.

“If you are willing to work your face off while chasing down your passion – you can win,” Vaynerchuk told the audience. “If you have no plans to retire in the next five years, you better make damn sure you pay attention to my book.”

Vaynerchuk says that at the end of the day, he wants to be heard. He says his message is the right one and he’s desperate to push it out there.

“The most money you can make is by following your passion, I believe that.”

Vaynerchuk also has a fascinating answer for people who ask him where his energy comes from, “You don’t need Red Bull — Do what you love and you are tireless!”

The Wine Wizard closed things out by offering his critical key to success. Find the thought leaders in your industry. Surround yourself with them, work for them and learn everything you possibly can.

Justine Henin Ready to Hit the Tour Again?

Justine Henin maybe eyeing a comeback, but keeping it quiet.

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

A week after Kim Clijsters grabbed an unlikely win at the U.S. Open, another Belgian star, Justine Henin, is reportedly ready to announce her comeback to professional tennis. Henin was ranked number in the world when she called it quits in May 2008.

Two of Belgium’s top newspapers, the La Derniere Heure and Le Soir reported the comeback on Monday. Henin holds seven Grand Slam singles titles including four French Open wins and two at the U.S. Open.

Clijsters quit when she was at the top of the women’s game citing a variety of physical issues that would never allow her to return to the tour.

There’s been a great deal of speculation regarding her return to tennis, but Henin herself has yet to release a statement.

Henin did take the take the time to congratulate her countrywoman on her website after Clijsters knocked out both of the Williams sisters en route to her U.S. Open title win earlier this month.

Del Potro Pulls Greatest Upset in U.S. Open History

Del Potro shocks tennis world, rallies twice to bring down Federer.

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

Roger Federer enjoyed 2,200 days of undefeated tennis at the U.S. Open – That streak ended on Monday as 20-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro shocked the world by coming back not once, but twice against the mighty Roger Federer to beat him in five glorious sets, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.

During the first 19 games of the match, Del Potro looked nervous and lost as if the occasion had completely overwhelmed him. His shotgun serve was shooting blanks and his blistering forehand was missing in action.

But something strange happened around 5-5 in the second set; Del Potro began to believe in himself. Suddenly the booming serve was finding its mark and the forehand began to do its damage. Del Potro evened the match and seemed ready to take down the five-time U.S. Open Champion.

But disaster struck for the young Argentine when he hit two consecutive double faults to throw away the 3rd set. But Delpo would not go softly into the night. He actually seemed invigorated by the loss.

He found his game once again and began dictating the points. Federer began to lose his cool and even pulled a Serena, using audible expletives in front of a national television audience while berating the chair umpire.

Delpo took the fourth set tiebreaker and handled Federer easily in the fifth set. The giant killer blasted Nadal in yesterday’s semifinal and stole the king’s crown tonight. So many great players have tried to knock off Federer during his five-year win streak, but it was bull from Argentina that finally humbled the number one player in the world.

Having followed the exploits of Juan Martin Del Potro all summer long – I was honored to pick Delpo as the man who would end Federer’s long reign of power at the U.S. Open when the tournament began on August 31, 2009.

Here’s a brief list of articles and links chronicling his run through the 2009 U.S. Open Championships:

Monday, August 31, 2009
Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina

Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Murray Melts Down, Del Potro Hungry for More

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Nadal-Federer Final? — Don’t Count on It: 20-year-old Del Potro prepared to shock the tennis world

Sunday, September 13, 2009
Look for Del Potro to Derail Federer’s Win Streak

Tears of Joy as the “Working Mom” Kim Clijsters, Claims her 2nd U.S. Open Title

Clijsters falls to her knees after claiming the 2009 U.S. Open.

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

When this tournament started more than two weeks ago, Kim Clijsters, the 2005 U.S. Open Champion, had more than a few obstacles in front of her:

1) It was only her third tournament back.
2) She gave birth to a baby girl 18 months ago.
3) She had the toughest draw in the entire tournament.

That’s no exaggeration either, Kim Clijsters absolutely had the toughest draw in women’s tennis and won the title by beating 5 seeded players including the Williams sisters, Serena ranked #2 and Venus ranked #3. And let’s face it, the top seed, Dinara Safina was no threat – she was out by the 3rd round.

So what began as a possible experiment for Clijsters, slowly started to take the shape of an unlikely run to the championships. After taking out Venus in 3 of the strangest fourth round matches played in a long time at Flushing Meadows, the chance was there. The question was, could Clijsters seize it?

Clijsters ran over the the 18th seed, Na Li in the quarters, setting up a semifinal showdown against the most dominant woman in tennis during the past year, Serena Williams. Clijsters played a brilliant match and served possibly the best match of her life against Serena. Serena lost the match on a penalty point, but Clijsters had certainly earned the victory.

The “working mom” made it to the final where she faced her third top ten opponent in just four rounds, the 9th seeded player from Denmark, Caroline Wozniacki. The 19-year-old Wozniacki made a spirited contest of it in the first set. Both women combined to drop their serves seven times in the first set before Clijsters took it 7-5 and the next one 6-3.

She dropped to her knees as tears of joy ran down her face. Clijsters made the perilous climb into the family’s box and was treated to a standing ovation from the crowd. When Kim made her way back down, she posed for multiple pictures alongside of her 18-month-old baby girl and her husband. It was a touching end to a very strange tournament and Clijsters savored every moment of it.

Nadal-Federer Final? — Don’t Count on It

20-year-old Del Potro prepared to shock the tennis world.

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

A pair of amazing men’s semifinal matches are on tap for Sunday, but expect the unexpected. Rafael Nadal, who’s fought back from a slew of injuries, will face Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina in the first match of the day. At the conclusion of that match, Roger Federer clashes with the Serb, Novak Djokovic.

Juan Martin Del Potro obviously comes in as the underdog to the six-time grand slam champion, Rafael Nadal this afternoon. Without question, Nadal is one of the most dominant forces in tennis, but he’s not a hundred percent healthy and Juan Martin Del Potro is my pick for this one.

The 2009 U.S. Open Championships will be the coming out party for the 20-year-old Del Potro. He’s a monster on the court with laser-like accuracy and a punishing first serve. Nadal has the heart of a champion, but Del Potro is poised for a major break-through. I picked Del Potro to win the tournament from the start and I’m staying with him – Article: Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina

Look for Del Potro to come through this one in an epic 5-setter.

In the other semi, Roger Federer needs no introduction. He hasn’t lost a match here since 2003 and it would take a Herculean effort from Djokovic to end his streak today. It’s not impossible, Djokovic has beaten him on the grand stage before, but Federer is playing beautiful tennis right now and Djokovic has suffered a few ups and downs.

Federer should make his way to his sixth straight final in four sets.

Friday Washed Away – Tennis Schedule Revamped

The more they squeegeed - the more it rained on Friday.

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

A day and night of the rain on Friday wreaked havoc with the schedule at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships that will now be extended until Monday.

Here’s the latest schedule which of course is still at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Rafael Nadal is slated to resume his match against Fernando Gonzalez at noon on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The weather of course, is still in question, but Nadal is up a set and on serve in a second set tiebreaker, 7-6, 6-6(3-2).

Once Nadal in finished, the schedule calls for the first women’s semifinal featuring Wozniacki versus Wickmayer.

The premier women’s semi, Serena Williams versus Kim Clijsters is set for the night session on Saturday beginning at 8pm.

The men’s semifinal matches, will be played on Sunday and the women’s final has been shuffled to Sunday evening starting at 9pm.

The men’s final which was to be played Sunday, will now be played on Monday. There will be a quiz after reading this!

A Summer Off May Be Exactly What Nadal Needed

Rafael Nadal proves it time and again - Never count him out!

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

Very often, I’m not happy to admit that I was wrong, but this time is different. Plagued by a summer of knee issues, few writers thought they would still be covering Rafael Nadal during week 2 of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, but here he is – playing Fernando Gonzalez in the quarterfinals.

Rafa’s knees have come through with flying colors and he’s done well to overcome an abdominal injury earlier in the tournament. He was pushed to the limit in a four set win over French strongman, Gael Monfils in the 4th round. Nadal split two of the most physical sets you’ll ever see against Monfils before taking him out in four sets.

Going back to today’s quarterfinal matchup – Nadal has easily beaten Gonzalez five straight times and today should be no different. Gonzalez has a 3 and 6 lifetime record against Rafa and two of those wins have come on hard courts, but that is ancient history. If Rafa holds up physically, he should win this one in straight sets.

In the other quarter, my pick to win the tournament has me a bit worried now. When I picked Juan Martin Del Potro to steal his first grand slam title away from Federer this year, I foolishly never thought he might have to encounter Nadal. I’m staying with Del Potro for now, but I may change my mind for the next round.

Of course I’m way ahead of myself right now – for Del Potro to get to the semis, he must take out Marin Cilic from Croatia. I don’t think that’s going to be much of a problem for him, but that’s why they lace up the sneakers. Look for Del Potro to cruise past Cilic in four sets and meet Rafa in the semis.

Fairy Tale Ends for Melanie Oudin – No Surprises on the Men’s Side

Clock Strikes Midnight for Cinderella - Out in Straight Sets

Courtesy of MySecondServe.com

It was a magical week for Melanie Oudin, she made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open and beat some of the best players in the game on the way. But Oudin ran into mirror image of herself on Day 10, the 9th ranked player in the world, Caroline Wozniacki.

Oudin was able to fight back from a set down in each of her previous matches, but it was not to happen in the quarterfinals of the 2009 U.S. Open. Wozniacki was content to keep the ball in play and use a series of angles to beat Oudin in two easy sets, 6-2, 6-2.

On the men’s side, Fernando Verdasco had high hopes in his quarterfinal match against the fourth seed, Novak Djokovic. Djokovic appeared to be on his heels throughout the first set, but somehow managed to steal the first set tiebreaker by a score of 7-2.

Instead of going away, the loss in the tiebreaker seemed to pump Verdasco up. He tore into Djokovic, who seemed to wilt under the pressure losing the second set 6-1. After a rash of unforced errors and poor service games, the Serb did his best to hang in there and survive the 3rd set.

At 5-5 in third, Djokovic played his best game of the match and ended up running away with the whole thing by a final score of 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2. His reward for the big win is a semifinal clash with the man who’s won 39 straight matches and five straight titles here at the U.S. Open, none other than Roger Federer.

It took four sets for the top seed to put away Robin Soderling 6-0, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. Federer advances to his 22nd straight Grand Slam semifinal. 22 straight semifinals?? That’s two short of six straight years – where his worst performance at a major was a semifinal appearance. I could write the same thing about six more times and it still wouldn’t make sense.