1 TO 1M USERS Kevin
Rose

My background • Digg, WeFollow,
Revision3, Pownce • Investor: Twitter, OMGPOP, DailyBooth, FourSquare • Advisor: NGMOCO, SixApart, Thread

#1. Ego

#1. Ego • Ask yourself:
Does this feature increase the users self-worth or stoke the ego?

#1. Ego • Ask yourself:
Does this feature increase the users self-worth or stoke the ego? • If a user is contributing to my system, what emotional rewards do they walk away with? What (visible) rewards will they receive?

Twitter Followers

Why do followers work?

Why do followers work? •
Twitter provides a (largely) one way communication platform - zero expectations, approachable for any user

Why do followers work? •
Twitter provides a (largely) one way communication platform - zero expectations, approachable for any user • Follower counts take on the form of social currency - in the users mind the more the better

Why do followers work? •
Twitter provides a (largely) one way communication platform - zero expectations, approachable for any user • Follower counts take on the form of social currency - in the users mind the more the better • Increased follower counts (even by spammers) gives individuals the false impression of audience

Digg Leaderboard

Digg Stories

#2. Simplicity

#2. Simplicity

#2. Simplicity • Stop over
building features

#2. Simplicity • Stop over
building features • Pick 2-3 things to focus on

#2. Simplicity • Stop over
building features • Pick 2-3 things to focus on • Ask yourself: Is there anything I can take out of this feature?

#3. Build & Release

#3. Build & Release •
Stop thinking you understand your users

#3. Build & Release •
Stop thinking you understand your users • Learn from what they’re actually doing on your site, not what you think they’ll do

#3. Build & Release •
Stop thinking you understand your users • Learn from what they’re actually doing on your site, not what you think they’ll do • Decide on what you’re going to build... and build it (avoid analysis paralysis)

#3. Build & Release •
Stop thinking you understand your users • Learn from what they’re actually doing on your site, not what you think they’ll do • Decide on what you’re going to build... and build it (avoid analysis paralysis) • Build, release, iterate, and repeat

#4. Hack The Press

#4. Hack The Press •
Invite only system (Pownce, Digg v3)

#4. Hack The Press •
Invite only system (Pownce, Digg v3)

#4. Hack The Press •
Invite only system (Pownce, Digg v3) • Talk to the junior bloggers

#4. Hack The Press •
Invite only system (Pownce, Digg v3) • Talk to the junior bloggers • Attend parties for events you can’t afford - network w/influencers, bring a demo

#5. Connect w/your
community

#5. Connect w/your community •
Start a podcast (it’s OK if not everyone listens)

#5. Connect w/your community •
Start a podcast (it’s OK if not everyone listens) • Throw a launch party, then yearly/quarterly events - invite the press/influencers personally - don’t tell the bar

#5. Connect w/your community •
Start a podcast (it’s OK if not everyone listens) • Throw a launch party, then yearly/quarterly events - invite the press/influencers personally - don’t tell the bar • Engage w/the community, be an active participant your own ecosystem

#6. Advisors

#6. Advisors • What technical
problems are you going to have?

#6. Advisors • What technical
problems are you going to have? • Advisors can be helpful in a whole slew of areas (marketing/hiring/bizdev)

#6. Advisors • What technical
problems are you going to have? • Advisors can be helpful in a whole slew of areas (marketing/hiring/bizdev) • Stock compensation, typically not a board seat, solid advisors help during fund raising

#7. Leverage your userbase to
spread the word

#8. Does your product provide
value for 3rd party sites?

#9. Analyze your traffic

#9. Analyze your traffic •
Install Google analytics

#9. Analyze your traffic •
Install Google analytics • Entrance sources (search?)

#9. Analyze your traffic •
Install Google analytics • Entrance sources (search?) • Paths through site

#9. Analyze your traffic •
Install Google analytics • Entrance sources (search?) • Paths through site • Top exit pages

#10. The entire picture

Thank You!
@kevinrose
digg/kevinrose