Kevin Yien on Product

1/ The old Reid Hofffman saying is "if you aren't embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late". It still holds today but I want clarify some things I've learned over the years.

241 likes4 repliesPosted Sep 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

Frames the idea around what the reader stands to lose, which is more motivating than gain.
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
Style: Conversational paragraphs at a steady pace.
Tone: personal
Mechanisms: Loss aversion
Written for: Product teams

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

Product Lessons

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