The Power of Product Launches: How Openvid and Pinterest Found Success

The Power of Product Launches: How Openvid and Pinterest Found Success

Launching a product can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. It's a defining moment for any startup, as it can determine the trajectory of its growth and success. In this article, we will explore the stories of Openvid and Pinterest, two companies that took different approaches to product launches, yet found remarkable success. We will uncover the strategies they employed, the challenges they faced, and the lessons we can learn from their experiences.

Openvid, a screen recording and sharing tool, decided to leverage Product Hunt, a popular platform for launching products, to drive initial growth. However, they quickly realized that optimizing for sustained growth was the key to maximizing the value they derived from Product Hunt traffic.

The team at Openvid understood the importance of engaging with the community in real-time. They recognized that the early adopters on Product Hunt were tech-savvy individuals who actively participated in discussions. To capitalize on this opportunity, Openvid actively engaged with users on Twitter, even with a small following. This allowed them to answer questions, address concerns, and build a strong rapport with their audience.

Moreover, Openvid understood the significance of instant gratification. They ensured that their product offered immediate value to users in multiple areas, including the Product Hunt comments thread. By aligning their product's value proposition with their singular objective, they prevented any misalignment that could hinder their growth.

Similarly, Pinterest, the visual discovery platform, faced slow initial growth. However, co-founder Ben Silbermann's passion for collecting things and projecting his identity through them kept him motivated. He understood that what you collect says a lot about who you are, and he wanted to provide a way for people to continue their collections online.

Despite the discouraging numbers, Silbermann never gave up. He personally reached out to the first 5,000 users, even giving them his cell phone number for direct communication. This personalized approach and commitment to building a strong relationship with early adopters played a crucial role in keeping Pinterest afloat during its early stages.

Silbermann's determination was fueled by the fear of failure and the embarrassment of admitting defeat. He believed that if he gave up, it would be difficult to face people and tell them that he had failed. This fear pushed him to persevere and continuously improve the site, even when the odds seemed stacked against him.

Pinterest's grid-like design was not initially embraced by everyone. Most of the world was focused on real-time feeds and text-based platforms, making it challenging for Pinterest to gain traction. However, Silbermann stayed committed to his vision of presenting the world as a series of people's collections. He saw the beauty in boards as a human way of looking at the world.

Eventually, Pinterest started gaining momentum, but it was far from an overnight success. Silbermann acknowledged that there was no single actor or event that brought in a flood of users. Instead, it was the small group of people who believed in the platform from the beginning and used it as intended that kept Pinterest going.

From these two remarkable stories, we can distill three actionable pieces of advice for product launches:

• 1. Engage with your community: Whether it's through social media, direct messaging, or other channels, actively engage with your users. Be present, answer their questions, and address their concerns. Building a strong rapport with your audience early on can have a significant impact on your product's success.

• 2. Offer instant gratification: Identify areas where your product can provide immediate value to users. Find ways to deliver this value as soon as possible, both within your product and in external platforms like Product Hunt. By doing so, you increase the chances of capturing and retaining users' attention.

• 3. Embrace your unique vision: Stay true to your vision, even if it goes against the current trends or expectations. Pinterest's success is a testament to the power of being different and providing a fresh perspective. Trust your instincts and believe in the value your product brings to the world.

In conclusion, product launches are pivotal moments for startups. By learning from the experiences of Openvid and Pinterest, we can gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed. Engaging with your community, offering instant gratification, and embracing your unique vision are key elements that can set you on the path to sustained growth and success. So, take these lessons to heart, and may your next product launch be nothing short of transformative.