The Changing Landscape of Social Media: How Discord is Revolutionizing the SNS World

The Changing Landscape of Social Media: How Discord is Revolutionizing the SNS World

In the world of the internet, there are several platforms that serve as gateways to the online community. Discord is one such platform, but it is not alone. Other apps such as Houseparty, Squad, Twitch, and more have emerged as popular choices for Gen Z users. These platforms offer features like video calls, screen sharing, and the ability to watch YouTube or TikTok videos together. However, Discord stands out with its unique features such as easily identifiable online status and voice rooms that resemble permanent chat rooms.

As we enter the next decade of social media (2017-2027), the focus will be on expanding social graphs and exploring beyond existing groups. However, as the user base of social media platforms expands, it becomes a crowded space where it becomes increasingly difficult to share and express oneself authentically. The pressure to perform and the overwhelming number of connections make it challenging to be genuine. For example, LINE is primarily focused on real-life friends, making it difficult to connect with strangers. On the other hand, Discord is often exchanged among friends made in the online world, creating a space where users can communicate without the need for formal phone calls.

Discord was designed with a focus on communication and aims to create an environment without endless scrolling or the need to chase likes. Social media platforms initially promised to connect people, but many have failed to fulfill this promise. They have become stages for performances, where influencers and media creators thrive, but ordinary users struggle to express their true selves. Discord aims to create an atmosphere that feels more like a house party rather than a stage performance.

There are several ways to lower the barriers of communication. One approach is to provide conversation starters such as Instagram Stories, Zenly's location sharing, or FRYDAYS' calendar events. Another method is to utilize the power of anonymity through question boxes or platforms like Boxfresh and Nyago. The idea is to create communities similar to the ones seen on platforms like Mixi and Mobage, where users can join without the pressure of initiating conversations.

In recent years, many gamers and top YouTubers have been using Discord to connect with their fans and build their own communities. The concept of "People First" emphasizes starting with meeting friends and then exploring various apps and activities together. Discord has transitioned from being just a gaming tool to a comprehensive chat platform that caters to various interests.

When starting a startup, it is crucial to focus on creating a product that a small group of users loves rather than trying to please a large number of users. Taking risks and pursuing your passion is more rewarding than settling for safe and unfulfilling work. It is important to identify who truly desires your product and target your efforts towards them. Sometimes, the best ideas may seem unappealing at first, but if they have true value, they are worth pursuing. Sharing ideas openly is not a problem as long as they are genuinely good ideas.

If you want to start a startup but don't have a specific idea, it is advisable to wait until you have one. Starting a startup should stem from having a passionate idea and finding ways to bring it to life. The qualities of a great founder include determination, decisiveness, resilience, intelligence, and passion. During the early stages of a startup, founder disputes are one of the primary reasons for failure. It is essential to find good co-founders or, if necessary, start as a solo founder. Having a bad co-founder can be detrimental to the company, and if things don't work out, it is better to part ways quickly.

During Y Combinator's program, founders are advised to focus on building their product and talking to users. Apart from that, they need to take care of their well-being, including meals, sleep, exercise, and spending time with loved ones. It is crucial to prioritize communicating with users whenever there is a disagreement internally. It is important to question whether the actions being taken are truly optimizing growth. The focus on key metrics within a company correlates directly with its success. If these metrics are hidden, it becomes difficult for people to align their efforts accordingly.

It is essential to avoid falling into the trap of overthinking future problems. Instead, focus on addressing them when the time comes. Building a user base one person at a time and experimenting with various growth strategies is a recommended approach. Paul Buchheit's advice of finding ways to achieve 90% of value with 10% effort is crucial. Market demand is not determined by how hard you work but by whether you are doing the right things.

As a CEO, your responsibilities include determining the company's vision and strategy, evangelizing the company, recruiting and managing the team (especially in areas where you lack expertise), fundraising to ensure the company has sufficient funds, and setting goals for achieving targets. It can be a lonely journey as a CEO, which is why it is vital to establish relationships with other CEOs who can provide support during challenging times.

Starting a startup is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It requires dedication, proper nutrition, sleep, exercise, and time spent with family and friends. It is crucial to work in a field that genuinely excites you, as it is challenging to sustain motivation for a decade otherwise. Making excuses is not a characteristic of successful people, and startup CEOs who constantly make excuses tend to fail. Take ownership of problems and find solutions. Strive to be known as someone who gets things done.

Distorting reality not for your own sake but for the sake of others is essential. You need to convince others that your company is becoming the most important startup of the decade. However, you should obsess over every detail that is not going well. Building a company is similar to building a religion. If people can't connect their daily work with a larger purpose they care about, they will not do good work.

When it comes to hiring, the best advice is to avoid hiring if possible. With every new employee, inertia adds to the decision-making process, making it exponentially harder to change direction. Avoid the temptation to equate company value with the number of employees. Be generous with equity, trust, and responsibility. Pursue talent that seems hard to acquire. Remember that the people you hire should be capable of starting their own company if they wanted to.

Never compromise on the talent you hire. Despite knowing this, many founders still make compromises and end up regretting it. Hiring the wrong people can lead to company crises. Trust your instincts when it comes to hiring. If there are doubts, the answer is likely "no."

Culture is determined by who you hire, fire, and promote. Founders often attribute competition as the main reason for failure, but it is usually self-inflicted. As Henry Ford said, worthy competition is someone who is constantly improving their own business without paying attention to others.

Keep a close eye on your company's cash flow. It may be hard to believe, but many founders suddenly find themselves running out of funds without realizing it. Avoid using money as a solution to problems and maintain a frugal mindset. Having too much money can be just as detrimental as not having enough.

Fundraising should be seen as a necessary evil and completed as quickly as possible. Some founders develop an affinity for fundraising, but it is not always beneficial. It is best if only one founder handles fundraising to avoid the company coming to a sudden halt.

When it comes to sales pitches, the essential elements include the mission, problem, product/service, business model, team, market and its growth rate, and the company's financial situation.

Great board members become external forces that drive the company forward. Their involvement is often more valuable than founders realize. If you have the opportunity to have a great board member who actively participates, it is worth accepting a lower valuation.

Remember that there are thousands of people with similar great ideas. The difference lies in execution.

In conclusion, Discord is changing the social media landscape by providing a platform that prioritizes communication and authenticity. Its features have attracted a significant user base, including gamers and YouTubers. Starting a startup requires passion, focus, and the ability to adapt. Founder disputes can be detrimental, and it is crucial to have a good team or be prepared to go solo. Taking care of one's well-being and communicating with users are vital aspects of startup success. Hiring should be done carefully, with an emphasis on talent and cultural fit. Cash flow management and fundraising should be handled diligently. Finally, executing ideas and staying true to the vision are key to building a successful startup.