The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
Create high-quality spec work for a specific industry vertical to demonstrate capability
Why It Works
Shows rather than tells, eliminates risk for potential clients, demonstrates understanding of their specific challenges, and creates portfolio pieces that attract similar businesses
Prerequisites
How to Execute
Choose one industry you're genuinely interested in
Research 5-10 companies in that space and their current marketing
Create 3-5 spec pieces showing viral potential for that industry
Reach out to similar companies with relevant spec work
Document results to build credibility for next tier of clients
When It Fails
When spec work is generic rather than industry-specific, when outreach is too broad rather than targeted, or when the creator doesn't understand the industry deeply enough
Real Example
“A creator obsessed with craft beer creates 5 viral AI beer commercials as spec work, reaches out to 20 craft breweries with relevant examples, lands first paid client, uses that success to reach bigger beverage companies”