Paul Graham on Founder

Paul Graham@paulg

"I've had multiple office hours with you in my head recently ('What would PG say?') and the answer is always 'Become profitable. Why would you do anything else?'. I know what to do." — email from a founder (he's right)

894 likes21 repliesPosted Mar 27, 2020

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Viral score

Based on absolute engagement — the platform doesn’t expose follower counts here, so large accounts score higher.

From likes, comments.

Why it worked

Opens with a question, so the reader starts answering before they have decided to read.
Ends on a short line that is easy to quote and repeat.
Written from experience rather than as advice, which is harder to argue with.
Short enough to read in full without expanding, which removes a step before the point lands.
Short sentences keep the pace up, so the reader never has to re-read a line.
Quotes someone directly, which makes the moment concrete rather than summarised.

The mechanics

Hook: Opens with a question
Structure: Hook → List
Style: Listed out, so each point can be lifted on its own.
Tone: personal
Written for: Founders and early-stage teams

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

Founder

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