Ali Partovi on Revenue

I once killed a $125 million deal by being “too honest.” There are many ways to lose deals, lest you think last week’s story was my only painful blunder. This one hinged on a fateful encounter with Jerry Yang and involved Paul Graham (@paulg). Here’s what happened.... (1/n)

4.1K likes118 repliesPosted Oct 17, 2021

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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.
Uses concrete numbers instead of vague claims, which makes it credible and quotable.
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.
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.

The mechanics

Hook: Leads with a number
Structure: Hook → Context → Landing
Style: Conversational paragraphs at a steady pace.
Tone: personal
Mechanisms: Specificity, Loss aversion
Written for: Founders and operators

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

Revenue

Post by Ali Partovi on X