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I Love Big Buts, And I Cannot Lie

Started by micah · 11 months ago

As I begin writing this, I can see the BUT coming over the horizon of the next couple of paragraphs. So, I am providing you one upfront, and am asking you to hold it until it time. Yes, I am asking you to hold my BUT until we can put it to good use.
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5 comments

  • John Minnihan

    1 year ago

    Interesting.

    Hype can be incredibly beneficial, but without tangible followup it really is as useful as pissing up a rope. Finding the right balance isn't really magic: if you can't deliver X, don't hype X.

    With competition like 8hands (and probably others), it may serve ST well to just release the product, get some feedback & iterate.
    reply
  • Micah

    1 year ago

    The key is balancing between releasing the "perfect" product and setting expectations. If you say you are going to release the "perfect" product, and its not, there will be hell to pay. If you say you are going to release, then dont, you again cause issues.

    The potentially unfortunate thing here is that SocialThing has a good product, but has set themselves up by their actions.

    I hope people dont miss the value of the product because they get caught up in the hype.
    reply
  • Ann Bernard

    1 year ago

    I certainly hope that Matt can appreciate your mentorship even if it might be currently rubbing him the wrong way. One thing to remember with development is that it is very unlikely you will meet the deadlines you set. Which means you have to hold off on the hype, and releasing hard dates. It's easy to get excited and want to create hype but it will burn you time and time again. You have to learn and get familiar with your development team and cycles before betting the farm on solid dates.

    Hype once created also has to be maintained...that takes time and a solid budget. It's much better to pace yourself. I'm realizing that myself. Stabilizing your product, initiating the next phases for delivery and building the rapport and listening to you first followers are part of the initial stages after release. You released to deliver a product...let your users use it and let them be the backing to your hype. Loyalty is very hard to get on the web.

    I could go on and on...guess what I wanted to say is that Matt you are lucky to have Micah provide you some guidance. Listen to those who have been there and know a thing or two.
    reply
  • Micah

    1 year ago

    @ann Matt and I have had several conversations which lead me to believe that he is beginning to "get it." Its a great point about managing hype.

    As a young business owner, I would drink my own Kool-aid all day. Any one that didnt think I was awesome was clearly stupid. Any bad press was from unknowledgeable people.

    Then I skinned my knee a couple of times. I got punched in the face. I realized that the best hype was providing a high level of service, meeting expectations and just being good. (You dont have to tell people you are good, if you just are.)

    Matt is getting it. SocialThing has the ability to be something interesting.
    reply
  • Doug Hudiburg

    1 year ago

    "JUST LAUNCH" sums up the wisdom of your advice better than any other quote I could pull.

    Do social meda startup CEOs have to do any hype before launch? *Real* launch, I mean. Not Beta.

    Pre-launch should be spent building the team (who builds the product) and networking with influencers. Not to mention involving influencers in the design and development process.

    Heavy promotion should coincide with a full launch, it is just a distraction until there is a product so sell.
    reply

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