STEPHEN
STILWELL
← Field notesRUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS / CLAY

A prospect list needs a reason for every name.

“Recently funded AI company” is a broad filter. It does not explain why a particular product belongs in front of founders and small teams.

What the product offers

Clay offers data enrichment and AI-assisted research for business workflows. Official source ↗

The decision that matters

Build a fit brief before drafting outreach. Record the audience problem, relevant product capability, access needed for a demonstration, and evidence of an existing creator or partner route. Keep unknowns visible. Funding can justify a closer look, but it cannot establish a marketing budget or permission to contact someone through a particular channel.

A TEST WORTH RUNNING

Try one bounded task.

Research five companies using public business information. Require an official source for the product claim and a separate reason the audience would care. Leave the partner-program field blank when it cannot be verified. Manually check each record before preparing any message.

What to capture

Count prospects with a specific audience fit, usable demo idea, and verified contact route. Track review time and incorrect or outdated fields.

Where this analysis stops

No Clay enrichment or outreach was performed here. A completed record is a research aid, not evidence that a company wants a partnership.

Source reviewed September 14, 2026. Product access and terms can change. These source links have no affiliate tracking added.

Use the product evaluation worksheet ↗

How these notes are written

Find tools worth your time.

Useful AI and software discoveries, practical workflows, and resources for small teams.

Join Useful in Practice ↗