14 Comments
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Lisa Cunningham DeLauney's avatar

I love the comedy analogy, Mack. Stand up looks spontaneous but there's so much work and knowledge of /connection with the audience behind the jokes.

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Mack Collier's avatar

Hi Lisa, thank you! The standup works cause the comedian listens to feedback from the audience and then leverages that feedback to improve the product, which is the point I was trying to make, thank you for hitting on it as well!

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Paul Chaney's avatar

That's brilliant, Mack. The long road requires patience and fortitude. I'm sure Nate would agree.

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Sam Burgess's avatar

This line "Why is it so important that community comes first? Because the community is necessary to provide input into the development of the product." It is highly evident that Zuck and Co pay zero attention to what their communities want and just deliver updates that rival competitors. Sadly we're seeing it here on Substack too with the Reels.. sorry 'video' tab. Another cracking POV Mack.

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Bette A. Ludwig, PhD 🌱's avatar

Interesting take Mack! I see where you’re coming from. I do think it’s important to have the product in place first to truly support the community tho. Like with rock bands, if the music isn’t there, it can be tough to build a following.

While community is key, I think it’s easier to grow when there’s something solid people can really connect with and get behind.

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Mack Collier's avatar

Hi Bette! I think your approach can work if the company is open to taking and incorporating feedback from customers. I think it really comes down to how comfortable the company is getting and acting on customer feedback.

If the company’s attitude is ‘Here’s the finished product, take it or leave it’, then customers will likely leave it. The company needs to be open to listening to the customer on some level, which is what you are saying I believe.

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Bette A. Ludwig, PhD 🌱's avatar

Hey Mack! I completely agree that feedback is incredibly valuable. I just believe that having something solid to start with can really help in attracting meaningful feedback in the first place. If the foundation isn’t there, it can be harder for the community to connect with the product, and that makes feedback less effective.

Ideally, it’s a balance by having a strong product and being open to evolving it based on what the community shares. If that makes sense...

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Chris 🎯's avatar

For building a community you might need to talk to people first.

But come on! What do others know that I don’t?

Thanks for putting this right Mack!

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Mack Collier's avatar

Hi Chris! Talking to people is fun, at least the people on Substack :)

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Hans Jorgensen's avatar

Thanks for showing, and modeling, this way, Mack. As I age, I only get more convinced about the need for and the importance of building community. Have a good Thursday.

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Mack Collier's avatar

Thank you, Hans. Being on here with good people is a definite reminder of its power.

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Neela 🌶️'s avatar

Ugh, I see this all the time.

Most people think they’re being efficient by jumping to product first. But it's like planning a surprise party for someone without knowing what they like. You end up with a gluten heavy zucchini cake for someone who’s celiac and a DJ who only plays jazz. No offence to anyone who likes jazz. Community first is smarter.

Thank you for sharing bro

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Mack Collier's avatar

Serving french fries is the only acceptable answer LOL If they had talked to us, they would have known that :) Thank you, sis.

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Neela 🌶️'s avatar

you can solve anything with French fries :)

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