Now this is completely through experience. I did not do any of the following mention things and it hurt us BIG time.

• Increase your online presence BIG time.
  • Start a blog. Even if you are not a great writer. Does not have stories. Just start the blog.
  • Put up information from other blogs with links to slideshares/youtubes/celebrity blogs.
  • Make sure you start sharing your URL with friends. Use simple SEO techniques to drive traffic.
  • Keep updating the blog at least twice a week or so. Make sure you reply to comments.
  • Comment on other blogs with link to your blog.
  • Make sure you start an independent blog. IE something like sushrutbidwai.com rather than sushrutbidwai.blogspot.com.

• Twitter
  • For now twitter in India is used by people who are very active on entrepreneurship scene.
  • Bloggers, entrepreneurs are very active on twitter.
  • Use it to connect with the community.
  • Have a conversation. Build your network.
• LinkedIn
  • Update your linked profile.
  • Increase your network.
  • Be active on groups related to the market your are getting into.
  • But don’t be open net-worker. Desperation has not given any one results.
• Unconferences
  • Barcamps and other tech camps like PHPCamp, OpenSocialCamp are great ways to connect with start-up community.
  • Make sure you are regular at these events.
  • Travel far and wide to reach out to the community across India rather than just your city.
  • If possible present something. Conduct few sessions.
• Customer relations
  • If you know who are going to be your customers, then start talking to them.
  • Find out events these people go to and attend those event.
  • Subscribe to groups related to your customers on linkedin and be active there.
  • Start preparing list of customers you have in second-degree network IE contacts of contacts.
• Competitors relations
  • Since you are just planning at this stage, competitors will not hesitate in talking with you.
  • Conferences and unconferences are great places to talk to competition.
  • Connect with talent working with competition.
• Investor relations
  • This is probably the most important thing to do.
  • You will find investors at conferences, events like Proto, HeadStart, WATBlog Mixer and many such events.
  • Angel investors are also great help in providing mentoring. They are much more approachable, available and willing to help out young entrepreneurs.
  • Do not mention funding requirements ever when you meet investors informally.
  • Ask for advice, pointers, guidance. People help you when they like you.

<This is going to be a series of articles. I will also talk about how to prepare for the entrepreneurship itself>