Designing a Better Reading Experience and Lessons in Scaling: Insights for Success

Hatched by Kazuki
Jul 18, 2023
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Designing a Better Reading Experience and Lessons in Scaling: Insights for Success
Introduction:
In today's digital age, reading online has become a complex process that involves various stages, from deciding what to read, to the act of reading itself, and finally, how we utilize the knowledge gained. As avid readers and users of read-it-later apps like Pocket, my co-founder Rob Mackenzie and I recognized the limitations of existing platforms and set out to create Matter, a platform that aims to enhance the reading experience.
Prioritization and Resurfacing:
The initial generation of read-it-later apps lacked essential features such as prioritization, resurfacing, and decay. Recognizing the importance of focusing on needs that won't change, we understood that in the future, customers will still prioritize faster delivery and the ability to make good decisions about what to read. With this in mind, we aimed to build a platform that offers smart curation and helps users navigate through the vast sea of content.
Elevating Writers and Trust:
Trust plays a crucial role in deciding what to read, and people inherently trust other people. At Matter, we made the conscious decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens within our system. We believe that good curation is invaluable in discovering hidden gems that are often overlooked by engagement-based algorithms. By placing trust in writers, we aim to provide a better reading experience and foster a sense of authenticity.
Balancing New and Evergreen Content:
While the online world tends to prioritize new content, we believe that the bias toward freshness is excessive. We acknowledge that some of the most valuable content ever created was not produced in the past week. As such, we designed Matter to act as a counterweight, ensuring that users have access to both new and evergreen content. By striking a balance, we aim to deliver relevant and manageable information to our users.
Improving the Reading Experience:
At Matter, we understand that the reading experience extends beyond just the act of reading. We recognized that email inboxes, while convenient for delivery, are not ideal for reading. To enhance the reading experience, we implemented features such as audio highlights, allowing users to highlight and annotate while listening without the need to open their phones. Additionally, we introduced minimaps, inspired by video games and code editors, to enable quick navigation and scanning.
Scaling and Personal Growth:
Scaling a startup is no easy task, and it requires a willingness to adapt and change. We learned that failing to scale is not due to a lack of effort but rather the inability to change and reinvent oneself. Experience is valuable, but it's essential to recognize that past experiences may not directly translate to a new startup environment. Instead, the key lies in reinventing core beliefs and embracing change.
Picking the Right Role Models and Authenticity:
When seeking to become a better leader, it is often suggested to surround oneself with good leaders and learn from them. While this advice is valid, it's crucial to understand that learning from leaders is not limited to reading books; one must develop a sense of what great leadership looks like through experience. Moreover, it's essential to be authentic and lead in a way that aligns with one's true self. Sharing quirks, passions, and personal style fosters authenticity and builds trust with others.
Listening to Intuition and Having Faith:
Dismissing intuition can lead to ignoring valuable data. When faced with challenging decisions, it's important not to disregard the feeling that something is right, even if it cannot be easily explained. Trusting intuition can often lead to better outcomes. Ultimately, having faith in oneself is the most significant leap of faith. Scaling a startup comes with its fair share of struggles and failures, but believing in oneself and embracing the journey is essential for success.
Actionable Advice:
- 1. Prioritize smart curation: When consuming online content, rely on platforms that prioritize good curation to discover valuable, overlooked gems.
- 2. Embrace change and reinvent core beliefs: To succeed in scaling a startup, be open to change and continuously reinvent your core beliefs to adapt to new environments and challenges.
- 3. Trust your intuition: When faced with difficult decisions, listen to your intuition and don't dismiss it solely because it cannot be easily explained. Trusting your instincts can lead to better outcomes.
Conclusion:
Designing a better reading experience requires a deep understanding of users' needs and the ability to adapt to changing environments. By prioritizing smart curation, balancing new and evergreen content, and incorporating innovative features, platforms like Matter aim to enhance the reading experience. Additionally, scaling a startup necessitates personal growth, the right role models, authenticity, and the willingness to listen to intuition. By embracing these principles, individuals can increase their chances of success in scaling their ventures.
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