Thanks for this post - i agree that fear of failure is a very real and legitimate concern, but one we have to overcome. As I say in this post - http://www.thevideoreporter.com/2010/06/27/building-your-own-editorial-brand-online/:

"If you’re in the least bit entrepreneurial and want to be known for your work rather than just the media you work for, then the web is huge opportunity for you. Yes, you may have to work for free to build up a volume of content, but it’s a much better way to spend your time than sitting in a newspaper office as an ‘intern’ waiting for someone to throw you a bone.

You get to decide your stories, and how to tell them, and you’ll learn a mountain about how to do it better along the way. Start innovating and get out there – it’s a much cooler way to get noticed, not only by existing media owners (mexicoreporter.com got me a job at the Los Angeles Times and my current employer, the FT), but perhaps even by your own, possibly paying, audience."

You never know where something will lead.....

If journalism becomes dependent on individuals starting up their own places and making money (or at least breaking even) from them then count me out. I'm in this business to write and tell stories. Simple as that. I'll happily work for someone else with a start-up, but creating one isn't for me.

Maybe this makes me a hopeless stick-in-the-mud, but I'm not on my PG course to be a businessman. Some people have done it excellently, like Marc, but that's not me. If there's no place for me then alright, there's no place for me, but I do think there is. This post seems to slightly arrogantly assume (dare I say, much like our dear Online Journalism lecturer Paul Bradshaw) that the future of journalism will be populated only by go-getters and entrepreneurs. I genuinely think that's short-sighted and wrong.

"Where is that voice that makes you ask awkward questions in interviews?"

The desire to get the fucking job.

I agree with this post, because I been starring at a business idea I developed for more than a year. I've even gone as far as pitching it to someone who has the money to make it possible and while he has been waiting to hand me a cheque I pulled out because of fear.
I think it goes further than fear of failure, but own personal hang ups, like not feeling good enough to start something on your own or compete with those already out there. But then there is a voice in my head that says well I don't have what it takes for a start up, so get a job and work your way up.

I don't know if I will ever have the courage to build my own business. I admire those that do because the rewards are amazing. Journalism lives on ideas and fresh, innovative ones are what sell and many startups I've been talking about with people certainly have that.

Like The Maverick, I don't think everyone is suited to entrepreneurship, but that shouldn't deter people from giving something a go.

re: Money loss from entrepreneurial failure - it's important to remember that you don't necessarily need to invest bags of cash into your startup. Actually, the social web has made it possible to really connect people and get a message out there. Additionally, a lot can be done without buying a workspace or paying someone through the teeth to develop your startup's website.

Money doesn't always have to be an issue. I broke even on Plastik Pass (http://www.plastikpass) on the first day. That's not meant to sound boastful but to prove that you can cover your costs quickly by cutting your costs in the first place.

I think that's key to feeling a bit freer in starting something.

An inspiring post - and hopefully one that will make people think a bit.

With regards to your question 'where is the voice telling you [...] to abandon the mainstream and to strike out on your own?', the link made between provocative journalist activity and building a start-up is an interesting one.

While I will (and have) happily hand-delivered work experience applications, go out of my way to network and try to get interesting answers in interviews, I don't feel that this...courage (?, perhaps?) would enable me to launch a start-up. This isn't necessarily a reflection on my lack of ambition to help rejuvenate journalism, but because of other personality traits which I feel prevent me from being a good entrepreneur.

What if, for example, you work better in a team? Or prefer to share and improve upon somebody else's vision, without necessarily inventing it? What if you enjoy learning, hands-on, from the wisdom of those who have gone before you, if only to use it to benefit new technology and trends? What if, essentially, you feel that your productivity would suffer without a clear structure or work pattern? Just as those people who long to launch their own projects crave the independence and responsibilities it brings, for many it is these aspects which are daunting.

Much as I recognise the importance of start-ups and admire the bravery it takes, I feel it's easy to overlook the role played by those who support them in becoming entrepreneurs. The sentiment that young journalists must engage to "make it new", however, is one of utmost importance and which our generation should be proud to undertake. But it takes more than one bright spark to make things happen...

Although I agree with you, failure is a reasonable and legitimate concern. Doubly so for whom this new journo project/start up is the biggest thing you've done so far in life.

And if jumping head first into choppy water concerns you, remember most other people are still trying to figure out life, the universe, AND journalism.

www.thedopesheet.com

When I started The Dope Sheet three weeks ago, I didn't really know what I thought it would feel like in a few months time. After months of planning I knew I had to just get things live and hope for the best. Something I didn't consider was how this focused the minds of all the people who I'd spoken with before. Suddenly, well wishing friends become willing contributors, evangelists and brainstormers with massive contact lists and story ideas. It's pretty amazing.

Whereas before I was worried if this thing would even find an audience, I know find out people are telling people about it for me. Ok, it's limited because of the niche aspect but not bad for a few weeks in.

But it took me taking a risk and letting go enough to start figuring it out as I go along. Opportunities are presenting themselves that I would never have considered if this had stayed another idea in my head.

And fair enough, you might not consider what I'm doing a "start up" in the sense I currently have no need of a capital injection or massive team. I'm not hyperlocal, more hypernodal. Small is really good right now.

Do your research, for sure, but life's too short to not try something new. If you have an idea go for it.