Hardware Podcasts

61: Mining Magnets

Thoroughly Considered · 30 Jul 2020 · 43m · Episode 61

What this episode covers

Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the results of their Mark Two pen Kickstarter campaign, which raised $160,000 from 1,525 backers, and analyze why it didn't grow as large as previous campaigns due to the 2020 economic climate and a lack of paid advertising. They debate the efficacy of influencer marketing versus organic community building, concluding that authentic relationships with micro-influencers are more valuable for their small business model than expensive Facebook ads. The conversation also covers the technical details of manufacturing the Mark Two, including the use of custom sintered neodymium magnets, heat-treated steel clips, and spot welding, as well as their reliance on Schmidt pen refills.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Studio Neat, Schmidt, KJ Magnetics, Sailor Pens, OnePlus, Apple, Foxconn, Pebble
Products
Mark Two, Mark One
Also
Kickstarter, Taylor Swift, Him, Fleetwood Mac, Kanye West, Peter McKinnon, John Gruber, Daring Fireball, MKBHD

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