The Power of Reading Books and Generating Ideas

The Power of Reading Books and Generating Ideas

In today's digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, it's easy to overlook the power of reading books as a source of knowledge and inspiration. David Perell, in his article "People Don't Actually Read," argues that most of our knowledge is derived from other people's experiences, which are passed down through books and articles. He believes that reading books is the easiest way to find good ideas to write about, with 90% of those ideas being regurgitated from books, while only 10% are original thoughts.

Perell emphasizes the advantage of reading books sequentially, as it allows us to see how rare it is for anyone to make a huge leap in their thinking. This highlights the importance of building upon existing knowledge and learning from the works of others. By reading old books, we gain a historical perspective and a deeper understanding of the evolution of ideas. In today's fast-paced world, where new information is constantly being produced, the simple act of reading books gives us a significant advantage.

On the other hand, Matt Galligan's article, "The Right Way to Ask Users to Review Your App," delves into the importance of timing and user experience when asking for app ratings. In the App Store, app ratings play a crucial role in search results and top chart rankings. However, the practice of "begging" for ratings has become despised and has had a negative impact on apps.

Galligan provides three actionable tips for app developers to solicit app reviews effectively. Firstly, he advises building a great app that users genuinely enjoy. The quality of the app itself is the foundation for positive reviews. Secondly, he emphasizes the importance of not annoying users. Interrupting someone's experience or asking for a rating immediately after an app crash is not only ineffective but also off-putting. Timing matters, and developers should wait for a likely moment of constructive feedback or a positive user experience before asking for a review.

In Galligan's own experience with the Circa app, they decided to delay the prompt for a rating until the user had opened the app at least 10 times over the course of 3 distinct days. This strategy allowed them to gather feedback from loyal users and ensured that the request for a rating was not intrusive. By placing the rating option in the middle of their list of news stories, they allowed users to scroll past it without having to interact with it directly. This subtle approach proved to be effective in increasing app ratings.

Combining these two articles, we can draw some interesting insights. Firstly, the act of reading books provides us with a wealth of knowledge and ideas, which we can then use to generate original thoughts and insights. By immersing ourselves in the works of others, we expand our understanding and build upon existing knowledge. This is true in various fields, including app development.

When it comes to asking for app reviews, the key is to prioritize user experience and timing. Annoying users with constant prompts or asking for a review at the wrong moment can have a detrimental effect on app ratings. Instead, developers should focus on building a great app that users genuinely enjoy and wait for the right moment to ask for a review. Delaying the prompt and finding non-intrusive ways to remind users to rate the app can lead to more positive reviews.

In conclusion, the power of reading books cannot be underestimated. It is through the works of others that we gain knowledge, inspiration, and ideas. By reading books sequentially and exploring old texts, we gain a historical perspective and a deeper understanding of the evolution of ideas. This knowledge can then be applied to various fields, including app development, where timing and user experience play a crucial role in soliciting app reviews. By incorporating these insights into our practices, we can enhance our own creativity and improve the user experience for our apps.

Actionable advice:

1. Cultivate the habit of reading books to expand your knowledge and generate new ideas.
2. Prioritize user experience and timing when asking for app reviews. Avoid annoying users and find the right moment to make the request.
3. Delay the prompt for app reviews and explore non-intrusive ways to remind users to rate the app, such as integrating the rating option within the app interface.

By following these actionable tips, you can harness the power of reading and improve your app's ratings while ensuring a positive user experience.