The Cult of the Product
20bits.com
20bits.com
This was put together from two comments I made here, actually.
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=341372 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=330576 (there is where the title comes from)
The problem is that many web people just focus on the product, and only the product. If they're smart they focus on a product that fits a market.
But very few people focus on distribution, which is a necessary component of any successful product. And no, getting on TechCrunch is not a distribution strategy.
Using Apple to talk about successful branding and cults is like using The Beatles as an example of how to become a successful rock band.
Tell me about a company that isn't on the 'rock star' level which has a cult following and I'd be interested.
I guess using Apple as an example made that confusion more likely, but the way they project their design process is part of why people are so obsessed about their products.
They never saw it coming. Nice to see every once in a while that Steve is a mere mortal as well.