My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Status-Based Viral Hooks
Why It Works
People share content that makes them look smart, successful, or 'in the know' to their networks
Prerequisites
How to Execute
Create hooks around social proof (boss thinks I'm genius)
Use specific impressive numbers (150 books per year)
Imply exclusive knowledge or insider advantage
Test multiple variations of core hook
When It Fails
When product doesn't actually deliver status benefit or hooks feel too promotional
Real Example
“Headway's 'My boss thinks I read 150 books a year but actually I just use Headway' - makes user feel clever and exclusive while promoting the product.”
Related Knowledge
Micro-Learning Subscription Platform
Professionals need to stay informed across many topics but don't have time to read full books or take courses
Social Interaction Agenda App
Social interactions often lack structure, leading to awkward small talk, missed opportunities, and inefficient use of ti
Timeline Forcing Analysis
A method of analyzing successful companies by drawing out year-by-year timelines to reveal the 'forgotten grinding years' between start and breakthrough.
Too Hard Pile Decision Making
A decision-making framework where you categorize opportunities into 'obviously good', 'obviously bad', and 'too hard to judge' - then only act on the obviously good ones.
Small Batch Iteration Advantage
A competitive advantage gained by testing products in much smaller batches than competitors, enabling faster feedback loops and more iterations.
Build a multi-generational family business where family members work together and live in proximity
Family members living in same neighborhood, all working in family business, kids playing together, successful exit while