Lebih baik dikenal daripada mengenal 1 min read

“It is better to be known than to know [people].”

Lebih baik dikenal orang daripada mengenal orang.

My dad’s former colleague, who later became a well-known marketer & newspaper columnist, Pak Hermawan, wrote that sentence in the 1990s.

in startup context

I believe Sam Altman or Paul Graham has said something similar.

it’s better for a founder to focus on building his or her startup than to prioritize early networking efforts.

most people are reluctant to build relationships with a “nobody” who has nothing good to offer.

but once you’ve become “somebody”, people will approach you much more easily.
give it some time, eventually they’ll even flock to you.

do not chase

so, for early-stage founders who are currently building a startup,

I believe that in most cases (because there are always exceptions):
it’s better to save networking efforts for later in your schedule.

work on your startup first, then network later.

do not chase; attract.
be that magnet.