Grow the Puzzle Around You: Building Habit-Forming Startups

Grow the Puzzle Around You: Building Habit-Forming Startups

Starting a startup is no easy task. It requires dedication, passion, and a unique combination of abilities and interests. But how do you ensure that your startup stands out from the rest? How do you build a habit-forming product that keeps users coming back for more? In this article, we will explore the concept of growing the puzzle around you and how the Hooked model can help you achieve success in the startup world.

When it comes to funding startups, one thing that stands out is the importance of funding earnest people. The founders' characters and the relationship between them play a crucial role in the success of a startup. At Y Combinator, the goal was to create an asshole-free culture by funding determined, flexible-minded individuals who were genuinely interested in startups. Money was not the driving force; it was about helping people start more startups.

What we've learned from Y Combinator is that the most successful startups tend to grow organically out of the founders' lives. They are usually weird and preposterous ideas that sound unlikely to succeed at first. However, they are unique combinations of abilities and interests that make them stand out. This raises the question: What is distinctive about you? What unique puzzle piece do you bring to the table?

Here are three actionable pieces of advice for aspiring startup founders:

• 1. Embrace Your Uniqueness: There is no one mold for a successful founder. Don't feel pressured to fit into a certain type or follow the mainstream's opinion. Instead, focus on what you're genuinely interested in and play to your natural strengths. A startup requires so much work that you'll give up if you're not genuinely passionate about it.

• 2. Find the Right Cofounder: Look for a cofounder with complementary skills but the same moral compass as you. Building a startup is a team effort, and having a cofounder who shares your values and vision is essential. They will be your partner in navigating the challenges and making important decisions.

• 3. User-Centric Approach: The key to building a habit-forming product lies in making something people want. Pay attention to your users' opinions and feedback. Their needs and desires should guide your product development process. Don't worry about the mainstream's opinion unless they are your target users.

Now, let's delve into the Hooked model, which provides a framework for building habit-forming products. The model consists of four components: triggers, action, variable reward, and investment.

Triggers are the external and internal cues that prompt users to engage with your product. External triggers are the things that get the user to your product, while internal triggers tap into the user's desires and motivations.

Next is the action phase, where you need to design the simplest behavior that users can perform in anticipation of a reward. This behavior should be easy to accomplish and require minimal effort from the user.

Variable reward is the element that keeps users coming back for more. The reward should be fulfilling but leave the user wanting more. By introducing variability in the rewards, you create a sense of anticipation and excitement.

Lastly, the investment phase involves getting users to put in a bit of work to increase the likelihood of returning. This could be in the form of personalization, customization, or any other action that makes the user feel invested in your product.

It's important to note that motivation, ability, and triggers are essential for a behavior to occur. Without these three components, the loop will not be complete, and users will not form a habit around your product.

In conclusion, building a habit-forming startup requires a combination of factors. By growing the puzzle around you and embracing your uniqueness, you can create a startup that stands out from the rest. Incorporating the Hooked model can further enhance your chances of success by building a habit-forming product that keeps users coming back for more. Remember to focus on your users' opinions, find the right cofounder, and stay true to your vision. With these actionable advice in mind, you'll be well on your way to building a successful startup.