The Importance of Relentlessness and Building a Community for Startup Success

The Importance of Relentlessness and Building a Community for Startup Success

Starting a startup is a daunting task. You have an idea, a vision, but you're constantly bombarded with doubts and naysayers. Kevin Systrom, the co-founder of Instagram, knows this feeling all too well. At Startup School SV 2014, he shared his insights on what it takes to make something big.

One of the key takeaways from Systrom's talk was the importance of being relentless. He emphasized that 99% of ideas don't work, and people will tell you that your idea won't work. And they might be right. But Systrom believes that you should still believe in your idea and be your own advocate. That's the only way to make something big. It's easy to give up when faced with challenges, but being relentless and pushing forward is what sets successful startups apart.

Another point that Systrom touched upon was the value of community. He stated that community is the most important asset that a company can have. Anyone can copy your technology and idea, but no one can copy the community you've built. Building a community is hard work, but it's worth it in the long run. Systrom recognized that building a community takes time and effort, but it's what truly sets a company apart.

These insights from Systrom align with the growth strategy of TikTok's predecessor, musical.ly. In an article on note, the author discusses how educational platforms often struggle to gain traction because they go against human nature. On the other hand, entertainment platforms like musical.ly, which later became TikTok, align with human nature and have an easier time attracting users.

Musical.ly understood the importance of targeting teenagers, particularly early adopters. Teenagers have plenty of time and are highly creative. In the United States, teenagers spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms, sharing their daily lives. Musical.ly leveraged this by creating a platform that allowed users to add music to their videos. They focused on utility, providing a feature that attracted users and differentiated them from other platforms.

But utility alone is not enough. Once enough users were onboarded, musical.ly started building a community. They understood the importance of user feedback and incorporated it into their design process. They connected with their users on WeChat and actively sought feedback before writing a single line of code.

The article also mentions the importance of finding a strong driver at the entry point. Just like how America attracted immigrants by offering the promise of wealth, a new platform needs to offer something that appeals to users' desires for fame and recognition. Once users achieve fame, they will want to monetize their presence on the platform, making it stickier and more successful.

TikTok, with its recommendation algorithm, introduced a unique feature that gives new and lesser-known creators a chance to be discovered. This is a powerful tool that sets TikTok apart in the short video market. By providing opportunities for new entrants to gain visibility and recognition, TikTok has been able to attract a diverse range of creators and build a vibrant community.

Systrom's insights and the growth strategy of musical.ly/TikTok highlight some actionable advice for startups:

1. Be relentless: Believe in your idea and be your own advocate, even when faced with doubts and challenges. Push forward and don't give up easily.

2. Build a community: Community is the most important asset a company can have. Focus on creating a strong, engaged community that sets you apart from competitors.

3. Focus on utility and user feedback: Before reaching critical mass, focus on providing a utility that attracts users. Incorporate user feedback into your design process to ensure you're meeting their needs.

In conclusion, the journey of a startup is filled with uncertainties and challenges. But by embracing the principles of relentlessness, community-building, and incorporating user feedback, founders can increase their chances of success. Just like Kevin Systrom and the team behind musical.ly/TikTok, startups can create something big by staying true to their vision and connecting with their users.