Erik Torenberg on Product

20 yrs ago, a big risk when investing was technical: could the team execute on their roadmap, given resources? Since AWS, the bigger risk became market: it's easy to build, but will anyone want it? Reaching customers, understanding behavior, & rapid iteration became paramount.

306 likes8 repliesPosted Apr 19, 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

Leads with a specific number, which is concrete enough to be worth a second of attention.
Frames the idea around what the reader stands to lose, which is more motivating than gain.
Follows a clear Hook → Context → Landing shape, so the reader always knows where they are.
Ends on a short line that is easy to quote and repeat.
Short enough to read in full without expanding, which removes a step before the point lands.

The mechanics

Hook: Leads with a number
Structure: Hook → Context → Landing
Style: Conversational paragraphs at a steady pace.
Tone: punchy
Mechanisms: Loss aversion
Written for: Product teams

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

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