Building Your Growth Model and Ladder of Engagement: Insights from Josh Elman and Ben Silbermann

Building Your Growth Model and Ladder of Engagement: Insights from Josh Elman and Ben Silbermann

In the world of startups and product development, understanding the core purpose of your product is essential. Josh Elman, in his article "Building your growth model and Ladder of Engagement," emphasizes the importance of identifying the problem users have that your product addresses. This core purpose serves as the foundation for your growth model and guides the development of your product's funnel.

Elman suggests breaking down your product into specific skills or tasks that users need to understand to get the most out of it. This approach allows for a structured adoption phase, where the focus is on getting users familiar with the essential features of the product. As users become more comfortable, the goal is to encourage them to explore advanced functionalities.

One of the crucial steps in this process is the "Hook." This is the initial reason why people hear about your product and become intrigued by it. For example, when someone hears about Twitter, the hook could be the promise of staying updated with "what's happening in their world" every time they check their feed.

While Elman provides valuable insights into building a growth model, Ben Silbermann, in his talk at Startup School 2012, shares his personal journey and advice for startup founders. Silbermann emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the need to believe in and love what you are building. He warns against letting others talk you out of your dream and encourages founders to stay true to their vision.

Silbermann also highlights the value of time and patience in building something worthwhile. He acknowledges that it takes a long time to create something of significance and urges entrepreneurs to stay committed to their goals despite the challenges they may face along the way.

Fundraising is another aspect Silbermann touches upon. He suggests hacking the fundraising process by trusting data, users, and your own instincts. While different people may offer conflicting advice, it is crucial to filter out the noise and make decisions based on what resonates with your product and vision.

Additionally, Silbermann emphasizes the importance of being great at one thing. For his company, Pinterest, this meant making collections look beautiful. Instead of constantly changing the product, they focused on finding users who heavily utilized the platform in the same way they did. This approach allowed them to create a community of like-minded individuals who valued the product's unique offerings.

In conclusion, building a growth model and ladder of engagement requires a deep understanding of your product's core purpose and the problem it solves. Josh Elman's insights provide a framework for developing a structured onboarding process, while Ben Silbermann's advice offers valuable lessons in perseverance, trust in your instincts, and staying true to your vision.

Actionable Advice:

1. Believe in and love what you are building. Passion and conviction are essential to avoid burnout and stay committed to your startup.
2. Don't give up on your dream. Stay resilient and filter out conflicting advice by trusting data, users, and your instincts.
3. Focus on being great at one thing. Instead of constantly changing your product, find users who align with your unique offerings and build a community around them.