amazing. thanks!
157 karma · joined April 3, 2012
I would have looked at how many people shared the app after the redesign, how many people invited friends, how many more ratings and reviews you got, how often users performed an "action" everyday, how many days elapsed between log-ins (compared to before), the percentage of "active users" vs user base etc.
Keep up the great work!
Fist pumps, t-shirts are wicked... I guess the moustache works :)
Thomas - While the design/layout/marketing elements may not have had an effect on the loyal zealots setting their alarm clocks early, it certain did help convince those who were on the fence about the upgrade 9not saying it's right - I'm an Android/Linux user myself and will never buy into the heard mentality - but it keep making Apple money.
The key lesson here is what elements works well and how you can reapply them to other industries and products.
However in the case of Facebook, the error was still made.
The problem is in the short term as these policies tend to deviate focus from the real issues at hand in developing countries and consume resources that could be better spent improving other aspects of everyday life. And then there's the whole gender issue. Some countries will allow their young daughters to participate, but unfortunately they won't gain as much out of it. You can't "westernize" a culture by saying that everyone needs to learn how to code, it's just not realistic.
But kudos for taking the next step and trying to create something of value.
You need a marketing campaign around the concept.
Good luck!
Having friends review is great, but sitting an intelligent stranger down and asking them to perform certain actions is what most startups need.
"Homeruns by definition aren’t sustainable. They’re not predictable. Sometimes you hit one, but most of the time you don’t. That part of things is mostly out of your control."
This is very true and I think lots of folks in the startup scene have adopted herd mentality - but I believe there are advantages to both methods (dropping out+raising or building in a sustainable fashion). It all depends what fits with your ideals.
Either way, I think it will all work out. I've worked on my own businesses since I was 11 starting by mowing lawns and shoveling driveways in the winter - and I wouldn't trade those experiences for any kind of "homerun".
In the end, it is the synthesis of your experiences that make you, and that's the point of the advice to pursue all opportunies presented to you. A friend once told me the best thing you can have in life are options.
Just keep your chips ready.
We started as a simple splash page back in November 2011 and got covered in TechCrunch with our official launch in late Jaurary with our full launch: http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/17/startupplays-offers-an-affo...
Hope you find the concept interesting, lots more coming down the pipe this summer, follow along @StartupPlays
Cheers,
Franco