How to get hired at a startup when you don't know anyone
My approach.  Either do the job (I'm a marketer and built a landing page for one company with bootstrap to show I could), or find a common connection.  In my current job, the hiring manager formerly worked with a good friend of a guy I helped out 4 years ago evaluate two job offers.  that's how weak ties work.  Also the benefit of paying it forward, never know how that connects back to you.