Erik Torenberg on Build in public

Reality is up for grabs right now. We're seeing more and more groups bootstrapping their own reality. People call this "community building" but sometimes it's literally people defecting the shared sense of mainstream reality that has existed for centuries and creating new ones

711 likes18 repliesPosted Sep 7, 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 short, self-contained line that is easy to take in at a glance.
Follows a clear Hook → Context → Landing shape, so the reader always knows where they are.
The opening line stands alone, so it reads completely before the post is expanded.
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.
Quotes someone directly, which makes the moment concrete rather than summarised.

The mechanics

Hook: Plain observation
Structure: Hook → Context → Landing
Style: Conversational paragraphs at a steady pace.
Tone: punchy, corporate
Written for: Indie hackers and solo founders

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

Build in public

Post by Erik Torenberg on X