The Personality of Your Product and the Magic Circle of Social Media

The Personality of Your Product and the Magic Circle of Social Media

When it comes to building social products, one essential factor to consider is the personality of your product. Your customers need to describe your app as fun in order for it to be successful. Fun is a fundamental feeling that you must strive to achieve. Interestingly, the personality of your product depends on the leader of your product team. This raises the question: what is the personality of your product?

To determine the personality of your product, start by picking a few words that come to mind. However, don't solely rely on your own perception. Reach out to your teammates and ask them what they think. By gathering different perspectives, you can gain a better understanding of how your product is perceived and what its personality truly is.

Now, let's delve into the connection between the magic circle of social media and the personality of your product. Play, in all its forms, creates social ties. It brings people together and forms lasting connections beyond the game itself. Just like the community theatre, where people go for the social ties rather than good reviews, social media serves as our virtual community theatre. It is through play that we transmit culture, not just through professionalized forms of entertainment.

In the late 1930s, the Dutch historian Johan Huizinga explored the concept of play in his book Homo Ludens. According to Huizinga, play promotes the formation of social groupings that endure long after the game ends. Whether it's a card game, amateur sports, or children's make-believe, play creates a magic circle. This magic circle provides a sense of togetherness, a feeling of being "apart together" in an exceptional situation. It allows us to share something important and temporarily withdraw from the rest of the world, rejecting the usual norms.

In the 19th century, authors praised amateur theatricals for their ability to teach us about the emotions and passions of humanity. Similarly, social media serves as a platform where we try to learn from and imitate what others do. We imitate behaviors, trends, and even bad habits. Social media can be a double-edged sword in this regard. While it offers immense benefits in terms of connection and communication, it also presents risks.

The ultimate challenge in managing social media is to maximize its benefits and minimize its risks. We need to learn where to draw the magic circle. Just like play, social media has the power to transform the most familiar circumstances into fantasies. It can be liberating and challenging at the same time. It is up to us to navigate this landscape and ensure that the virtual community we create is a positive and enriching one.

In conclusion, understanding the personality of your product and recognizing the magic circle of social media are crucial for success in the digital world. To achieve a fun and engaging product, involve your team in determining its personality. Embrace the power of play and the social ties it creates, but also be mindful of the risks that come with imitating behaviors. As you navigate the realm of social media, remember to maximize its benefits while drawing the magic circle wisely.