Navigating the Bootverse
Bootstrap is a naturally choatic place with a lot going on. Hear from your fellow bootstrappers how they got plugged in:
Contents
Chris Justice
Navigating the bootverse is simple; contribute first, take later. Everyone has questions but it's YOUR wisdom that is the most valuable to the bootverse. Just observe the questions posed by others and respond to those questions that are in your area of expertise or interest. The "map" of the bootverse will then draw itself for you.
Bijoy
For a newcomer, this can be overwhelming. To get yourself situated, do a couple of things:
- Read the Bootstrap Community Playbook which explains how we work
- Scan through the wiki and pick a few key subgroups that look interesting to you and join them. When you do, drop the Subgroup Lead a note introducing yourself.
- Attend a bootstrap meeting or a subgroup meeting and start getting to know your fellow bootstrappers
- Once you attend a meeting, you will get an email to create your Bootstrap ID and Bootkarma account. Once you do, you can offer your time on Bootkarma and trade with other bootstrappers.
Marcy Hoen
If you are here reading on the Bootstrap page then you clearly have made a good start in navigating the Bootverse. Maybe you are here because you met someone in your daily travels or online who introduced you to the network! Welcome.
My experience with Bootstrap has been an enriching (both personally and professionally) experience and I hope that you will find it to be so as well. My advice for newcomers is to involve yourself as much or as little as you want, but DO involve yourself! Here you will find a community of like-minded individuals who are creating what they want in their lives.
Take some time to search the wiki, find out what people are doing who share similar interests, and attend a meeting. Read the blogs or listen to podcasts of past meetings to see what has been presented. Mostly, get yourself to a meeting that interests you and talk with people, tell them your interests and business ideas. You won’t believe the experience and helpfulness that you will encounter.
More specifically Bootstrap (online) can seem to be a confusing hodgepodge of different computer applications and log-ins. Well, it is. There is a purpose to this! Bootstrap utilizes member technologies and applications from time to time allowing Bootstrap the benefit of having these useful tools and at the same time the entrepreneur who provides it gets valuable feedback from the community.
So forge on, ask lots of questions, go to meetings, and spend some time checking out all the great subgroups!
Good luck, and see you at the next meeting, Marcy
Nancy Schill
- When you first arrive to Bootstrap, attend one of the main meetings held from 6-8 pm on the 2nd Monday of the month. Introduce yourself to me, Bijoy, Kevin, or one of the other Bootstrap Contributors. Come prepared with a question or interest for your business and tell us. Then, we can point you in the direction of the person who leads that initiative or who may be able to assist you.
- Put your profile on the Bootstrap Network and request to join the Connector initiative. * a key to Bootstrap is that we will not seek you out or hold your hand. You must take initiative for your interests and/or needs, but hold on because the wealth of resources and support in this group are immeasurable!
- Keep yourself present and active in the groups (main and sub of interest).
- Ask questions, offer to support the community, offer to take initiatives.
- Develop relationships!!! (according to me, this is KEY). Review information about MRE and dance partners to guide you in strategically focusing on developing the most complementary relationships first.
- Take the Bootstrap Bootcamp online. The course is very helpful in guding you through your Bootstrap venture, understanding the community, and learning how to navigate the environment.
Bess McCarty
your words of wisdom
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your words of wisdom
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your words of wisdom
