How to 'impregnate' potential co-founders

[brentiscooper]

There has been quite a bit of discussion on finding potential co-founders, so I thought it would be worthwhile discussing how to impregnate potential co-founders with your idea to see if there is any chance of them 'having your baby'.

A good entrepreneur will recognize an idea with potential when he sees it, as long as it is portrayed well when hearing the idea. A little change in the portrayal of an idea can be the difference between one person hating it, and the same person absolutely loving it.

I attempted to convince a friend help develop one of my ideas. He hated it, and said no. I then created a video displaying what the idea was about, and how it would work, with screenshots and images. After my friend saw the video, he thought it was incredible and offered to help develop it. He had been impregnated, and eventually lead to the birth of my first child (idea).

Any other thoughts for a successful idea portrayal, in hope to impregnate a potential co-founder?

[zb]

Don't use that metaphor, for starters.

[zachallaun → zb]

He just caught the pregnant hacker fever.

(http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2175757)

[revorad]

To extend this terrible metaphor, you need to start by first going out on dates, holding hands, the first kiss, then some action, THEN pregnancy.

If you think like a 19 year old, you will go for the close too soon and end up with an abortion or an orphan.

[korussian]

ESL Student: "The firefighter ran into a burning building and came out pregnant"

ESL teacher: pregnant = "with child", but you can't just bandy the term about

[brentiscooper]

Okay, so perhaps this metaphor ruined my first post. Just trying to contribute. Perhaps I'll just post links from now on :/

[scottyallen → brentiscooper]

Well, or you could take the joking in stride, and repost it, this time without the metaphor:)

I think the dating metaphor that's been mentioned is apt though. I'd think that even if you hadn't started with the "pregnant" metaphor. Getting someone excited about an idea is always a gradual process, not just when trying to find a cofounder. It's the same when you're trying to sell a product, too.

You need to gradually woo someone. Present the rough idea initially, but then allow them to start taking ownership of the idea themselves by brainstorming with you, and start helping you to shape it. Cofounders (and most early employees) need to feel like they're working on "their" idea, not someone else's. And chances are, your idea still needs a ton of refinement yet, so you actually really need the help.

[mcotton]

cheap wine?

[ahi]

gross