#8 — Building Virality into Products ft. Brian Paget

Listen now on Apple, Overcast, Google and Youtube.Summary: Welcome to yet another insightful episode of ThriveCast! Join us as we sit down with Brian Paget, Founder of MeetMoji. Brian brings a wealth of experience in Strategy, Technology, and Marketing with big names like Amazon, SAP, Adobe, IBM, and venture-backed startups. In this conversation, we delve into effective strategies for fostering network effects and virality in product adoption. Brian emphasizes the significance of identifying and engaging "nodes," individuals or users who can champion a product and drive its adoption. We discuss the importance of adaptability and the necessity to learn from failures while striving for success. Join us as we uncover key takeaways from this conversation, shedding light on navigating the complexities of product launches and achieving sustainable growth.Here's what's in store for you: * Network Effects Are Vital: Building network effects is crucial for product success. To achieve this, you need both a network and nodes (individuals or users) to make it work.* Identify Nodes: In the early stages, focus on finding and engaging with nodes – those who will test your product, understand its value, and become champions.* Adapt and Iterate: The theory of network effects is one thing, but the practice is another. Be prepared to adapt and iterate as you go along because it's not an easy process.* Fake It Till You Make It: Don't be afraid to "fake it" initially. Brian emphasized that throughout his career, he often tried new products, failed, and learned from those failures. It's a valuable part of the journey.* Learn from Friendly Customers: Encourage friendly customers or partners to try your product early. They can provide valuable insights and help you understand how your product is being used.* Speed and Agility: The ability to adapt quickly is more important than sticking to a rigid plan. Be agile and make changes based on real-world feedback and usage.* Sharing Is Key: Encourage sharing among users. Products like Loom and Zoom succeeded by enabling users to share their experiences with colleagues, leading to viral growth.* Building a Network Is a Process: Building a network effect takes time. Tobi from Calendly's success story may seem like it happened overnight, but it actually took five years to gain momentum.* No One-Size-Fits-All Playbook: There's no fixed playbook for achieving network effects. It involves experimentation, learning, and adapting to your unique product and market.* Consider Writing About Your Insights: Gururaj suggests that Brian should consider sharing his insights through blogs or books, highlighting the valuable lessons learned in the conversation.About Brian: Brian Paget, the visionary Founder of MeetMoji, is a seasoned expert at the intersection of Strategy, Technology, and Marketing. With an illustrious career spanning industry giants like Amazon, SAP, Adobe, IBM, and successful ventures in the startup world, Brian brings a wealth of experience to the table. He's known for his strategic prowess in fostering network effects and virality in product adoption, emphasizing the importance of identifying and engaging key "nodes." Brian's adaptability, coupled with a profound ability to learn from failures, has propelled him to the forefront of the industry. Meet the driving force behind MeetMoji, Brian Paget, and witness innovation in action.About MeetMojiMeetMoji is all about turning your static PowerPoints into interactive and engaging presentations.  With MeetMoji you simply upload your slides and unlock the ability to engage your audience during your presentation with live polls, word clouds, and engaging content like demos, videos, and more all without having to juggle multiple apps.  Experience a better way to turn your average presentation, meeting, or workshop into a truly interactive experience with MeetMoji.Elevate your meetings today with MeetMoji!Where to find Brian Paget:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pagetbg/Where to find Gururaj:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gururajp/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.hybridgtm.com