August 2012 Summaries

Product demos can be a lengthy feature-by-feature walkthrough of a product that focuses on explaining where everything is and what everything does, but this approach rarely provides an engaging experience for attendees. Instead, developers should focus on creating passionate users by teaching them how to achieve specific goals with the product, rather than just showcasing its features. This approach emphasizes the benefits of using the product in real-world scenarios, such as increasing engagement, identifying activity churn, and automating customer development. By doing so, demos can become a valuable marketing tool that helps attendees understand the value of the product and how it can be used to achieve their goals.

App.net is creating a platform connecting application developers with end-users, addressing a two-sided market opportunity that has been realized by the lack of engagement from Twitter and Facebook developers. To succeed in this market, three key criteria must be met: positive network effects, correct pricing and subsidizing, and avoiding winner-takes-all scenarios. App.net has identified its users as the subsidy side and developers as the money side, with a focus on quality over data monetization. The platform's success is not dependent on competing directly with Twitter, but rather on creating a unique experience that attracts passionate software users who are willing to pay for quality. With over 12,000 paying users, App.net has already taken significant strides forward and is poised to succeed alongside other platforms.

The author of the text is welcoming three new team members, Macey Baker, Jeff Gardner, and Frantisek Kusovsky, to their startup company. The author emphasizes that hiring help for tasks such as contract review, invoicing, and customer billing can be beneficial for a CEO's focus on strategic jobs. Macey has impressive credentials in research and analysis, while Jeff displays exceptional patience and empathy in supporting customers with technical issues. Frantisek is the new Lead Visual Designer, bringing a unique blend of enthusiasm and humility to his work. The company is still looking for a talented engineer to join their team, focusing on supporting US customers during install.