The Psychology Behind "Going Viral" and Pre-Seed Funding: A Connection of Motivation and Investment

The Psychology Behind "Going Viral" and Pre-Seed Funding: A Connection of Motivation and Investment

When we think about why certain content or products go viral, it's important to consider the psychology behind our motivations to share. The desire for status, validation, helpfulness, safety, order, novelty, validation, and even voyeurism all play a role in our decision to share something with others. Understanding these motivations can help us create products and content that have the potential to go viral.

One key factor in viral growth is our pack animal psychology. As humans, we are constantly concerned with our status and where we fit in the social hierarchy. We want to be perceived as belonging and having prestige among our peers. This desire for status can drive us to share content or products that align with high-status individuals or exclusive groups. We want to associate ourselves with success and be seen as in-the-know. This is why social media platforms often see a lot of sharing of friends' accomplishments. By sharing these achievements, we can elevate our own status and reputation within our social circles.

Another motivation for sharing is identity projection. We want to be able to express who we are and have our point of view validated by others. We seek validation and agreement in our perspectives. By sharing content or products that align with our identity, we can feel affirmed in our beliefs and opinions. This validation is important for our self-esteem and sense of belonging.

Safety is also a key motivator for sharing. We have a primal instinct to pay attention to potential threats and dangers. Sharing information that helps others stay safe or be aware of potential risks is a way for us to contribute to the well-being of our tribes or communities. Platforms like Nextdoor and Citizen have seen growth because they provide information about local threats and dangers, allowing people to stay informed and take necessary precautions.

Order and organization are motivations that drive us to share tools or products that help us optimize and structure our lives. By sharing these resources, we not only appear more efficient and organized to others, but we also help bring others into the same protocol of organization. We want to create a sense of order and control in our lives, and sharing these tools allows us to achieve that.

Novelty is another powerful motivator for sharing. We are always seeking the next new thing, something that is fresh but not too strange. Sharing new products or information allows us to appear ahead of the curve and open to new experiences. We want to be seen as knowledgeable and cutting-edge, and sharing the latest trends or innovations helps us achieve that image.

Validation and self-esteem boost are motivations that drive us to share things that make us feel good about ourselves. We want to be perceived as good, smart, and worthy. When we share our accomplishments or positive experiences, we seek validation from others and boost our self-esteem. Sharing content or products that allow others to live vicariously through us also gives us a sense of validation and enjoyment.

Finally, voyeurism, or the desire to share in the enjoyment or misfortune of others, can also motivate us to share. We want to experience things through the lens of others, whether it's joy or schadenfreude. Sharing content that allows others to vicariously experience emotions or events is a way for us to connect and engage with others.

Now, let's shift our focus to pre-seed funding and its connection to viral growth. Pre-seed funding is an important stage for startups to secure the necessary resources to develop their products and acquire customers. This early-stage funding is typically used to hire talented engineers and invest in marketing efforts. However, securing pre-seed funding can be a challenging process.

To successfully raise pre-seed funding, it's important to have a clear plan and proof of concept for your product or service idea. Investors want to see that there is a monetization strategy and potential customer interest in your offering. References from potential customers who are willing to pay for your product or service can greatly increase your chances of securing funding.

When seeking pre-seed funding, it's recommended to have a cash buffer to cover unexpected costs that may arise during the execution of your plan. Adding a 25% or even 50% buffer can help mitigate potential financial challenges.

Building relationships with investors is crucial in the pre-seed funding stage. It often takes multiple meetings with investors to secure funding, with an average of 26 meetings to close a pre-seed round. It's important to have a well-crafted pitch deck that captures investors' attention within a short timeframe. According to Docsend, the average time spent by pre-seed investors reading a pitch deck is about 3 and a half minutes.

When it comes to sources of pre-seed funding, there are several options available. Angel investors, who typically invest anywhere from $1,000 to $1,000,000, can provide the initial capital needed. Angel investors often have experience and networks that can benefit startups.

Pre-seed VC firms can also provide larger checks, ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. These firms are specifically focused on early-stage startups and can bring valuable expertise and resources to the table.

Accelerators are another source of pre-seed funding. These programs provide funding, mentorship, and resources to startups in exchange for equity. Different accelerators have different terms, but they generally take between 5% to 10% equity in the company.

Equity crowdfunding platforms have also emerged as a way for early-stage startups to raise capital. These platforms allow startups to raise funds from the crowd, including non-accredited investors. Startups can raise as little as $50 checks from thousands of individuals through platforms like Republic, Start Engine, and WeFunder.

It's important to conduct due diligence when seeking funding from angel investors or institutional investors. Verifying that investors are accredited can save you from potential complications during future rounds of funding.

In conclusion, understanding the psychology behind why people share can help us create products and content that have the potential to go viral. By tapping into motivations such as status, identity, safety, order, novelty, validation, and voyeurism, we can design products that resonate with our target audience and encourage sharing.

When it comes to pre-seed funding, having a clear plan, proof of concept, and references from potential customers are key to securing funding. Building relationships with investors, having a well-crafted pitch deck, and exploring different sources of funding, such as angel investors, pre-seed VC firms, accelerators, and equity crowdfunding platforms, can also increase your chances of success.

Actionable advice:

1. Incorporate elements of status and exclusivity into your product or content to encourage sharing. People are motivated to share things that make them feel high-status and in-the-know.
2. Reduce the friction to sharing by designing your product or content to minimize effort and thinking required. Make it easy for people to share and consider the potential benefits and costs of sharing.
3. Tap into the desire for validation and self-esteem boost by creating content or products that allow people to showcase their accomplishments or positive experiences. Provide opportunities for others to vicariously experience emotions or events.

By understanding the psychology behind viral sharing and effectively securing pre-seed funding, you can set your product or startup on the path to success.