Great Advice on Writing and Reducing Product Risk

Great Advice on Writing and Reducing Product Risk

Writing is a craft that takes time and practice to master. Finding your voice, tone, and style is a journey that requires experimentation and perseverance. Tim Urban, the founder of Wait But Why, shares his experience of writing 300 blog posts between the ages of 23 and 29 before starting his successful venture. He emphasizes the importance of continuously refining your writing by analyzing what works and what doesn't, rewriting parts, and trying new approaches until you find what clicks.

One valuable tip Urban shares is the significance of reading. He compares reading to fertilizer for writers, as it nourishes their creativity and expands their knowledge. However, he advises writers to find their balance between imitation and innovation. Starting by imitating the style and wording of writers they admire is a good starting point, but the ultimate goal is to develop a unique voice that sets them apart from the rest. It's a gradual process that unfolds as writers mature and gain confidence in their abilities.

Receiving feedback is crucial for growth, but Urban warns writers to be selective about whose feedback they value. It should come from individuals who genuinely believe in them, support their journey, and understand that their writing is still a work in progress. Feedback from such individuals can provide valuable insights and help writers refine their craft.

While good writing is essential, Urban argues that the ideas behind the writing hold greater significance. Having great ideas with decent writing is more valuable than the other way around. Writers should focus on developing thought-provoking concepts and refining them through their writing skills.

Switching gears, let's explore the concept of reducing product risk and removing the minimum viable product (MVP) mindset. Cody, a renowned product designer, proposes that the approach to de-risking projects should vary depending on the type of customer being targeted. Initial releases may not have all the desired features, but continuous iteration can overcome this limitation. The key is to provide users with value as it becomes available, ensuring they see the product's progress and benefits over time.

It's important to remember that users may not have a clear understanding of their own behaviors and preferences. While it's valuable to gather feedback from them, it is ultimately up to the product team to infer the solutions based on the problems identified. As Henry Ford famously said, "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse." The team's ability to think like excellent product thinkers is crucial in developing innovative solutions.

Cody's design quality framework suggests that the level of investment before a solution reaches the customer depends on the team's confidence in understanding the problem and solution viability. Building features rather than a full product can be a more lightweight approach, especially when building upon an existing product. MVPs and minimum viable features (MVF) are instrumental in proving that the ideas solve a problem. Once proven, further investment is usually required to maximize the potential of the product or feature idea.

Regular releases also contribute to de-risking the product vision technically. By observing how the product scales or breaks incrementally, the team can address issues as they arise, rather than facing them all at once.

In conclusion, both writing and product development require continuous improvement and adaptation. Writers should experiment, read extensively, and seek feedback from supportive individuals. They should prioritize developing compelling ideas while refining their writing skills. Similarly, product teams should tailor their approach to de-risking projects based on the target customer, iterate regularly, and invest in features that prove the solution's viability. By following these actionable advice, writers and product teams can enhance their craft and increase their chances of success.