That is a question I get asked frequently.

Most startup founders are unsure when is the right time. Launch too early and there may not be sticky enough to sustain a following. However, launch too late and suffer the consequence of being ignored.

The truth is that there is no one time that fits all. Various mitigating factors may influence the countdown to d-day like system bugs, user demographics, industry nuances and even superstition. Though in my humble opinion, it should be as soon as possible.

Reid Hoffman of LinkedIn said "If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late."

Getting out there to face public scrutiny is the best market validation test. So what if it has only one key function ready? Being in indefinite stealth mood, means the product does not get the chance to get feedback and eventually improve. If it is good enough, early users/media could be tempted to wait for the rest of the suite of services to be deployed.

More often than not, first mover advantage is king. Being able to claim the first in a category is one good way that captures the attention of the press. Beyond that, it aids in brand recall for the users. If the startup survives to maturity, the title of first-of-anything denotes your trailblazing ability to define an industry.

Creating hype early on is not only to meet users, it is a chance to impress investors and partners. The main perk of being featured in a reputable media outlet is that you get more credibility. It aids in pitches to mention that you were covered by this prestigious newspaper and featured on that popular news site.

One good example is Popcorn Time, a torrent-based, entertainment service that brings movies and TV shows to the masses for free. It was hastily launched with many bugs and a huge legal cloud hanging over its head - conventional wisdom will suggest a rethink. Yet it's simple user interface and mass media coverage made it a household name.

To make the point even further, it was in fact forced to shut down in the US due to its blatant flouting of copyright laws. Yet, as soon as it was gone, it rose like a phoenix in Europe to be bigger and better than ever. It even now claims that it will never be shut down to the cheers of its many users and supporters.

So what do you need to get the media and eventually the world excited?

First, a demo or a Minimum Viable Product is needed. Something that the press can test out, ideally, even before the rest of the world gets to.

Second, a website for the media to direct their readers to get more information. Once again, it doesn't need to be complete - you can leave breadcrumbs of information to get interested users to leave their email address for timely updates.

Third, a 30 second video that explains clearly what your startup is about. If a picture speaks a thousand words, moving pictures with a compelling storyline, catchy graphics and emotional music speak way more. Nothing fancy is required, even home made videos showing the startup in action will suffice.

Fourth, you will need resources to pitch your startup. The most valuable of all startup resources: time. Taking time to reach out, media outlets often appreciate the sincerity of an email or a call from a founder.

Lastly, you will need an angle. The type of story that is easiest to pitch for a new startup is raising funds. However, not all startups are that lucky, so share an interesting back story (i.e. a personal need that sparked a business, etc) and perhaps off a limited offer of a call-to-action (i.e. free for first X users, etc) for maximum effect.

So what are you waiting for?

Instead of deliberating further, now is the time to reach out to a journalist near you for a live media interview.