Experimenting with new, unproven social platforms is never a waste of time. The skills learned on platforms that fail (like Vine) become a competitive advantage on the ones that succeed (like TikTok).
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Don't wait for perfection. Hone short-form video skills by creating a random account and posting content daily, even if it's terrible. This consistent practice, despite poor performance or bad comments, is the key to developing a high-value content creation skillset.
A quirky 'French Lessons with a DJ' campaign failed on Facebook a decade ago, but the hosts noted it would likely succeed on TikTok with a Gen Z audience today. This reframes failure, suggesting an idea's success is highly dependent on the context of platform, audience, and cultural timing, not just the creative concept.
Platforms like TikTok have shifted the paradigm where success is tied to each post's individual merit, not the creator's follower base. A single viral video can generate massive reach and sales, even if other posts have low engagement, a trend now adopted by LinkedIn, YouTube, and others.
Major tech successes often emerge from iterating on an initial concept. Twitter evolved from the podcasting app Odeo, and Instagram from the check-in app Burbn. This shows that the act of building is a discovery process for the winning idea, which is rarely the first one.
Companies like Instagram that succeed early become risk-averse because they lack experience in navigating failure. In contrast, enduring early struggles builds resilience and a willingness to experiment, which is critical for long-term innovation.
Aspiring founders often stall while waiting for a perfect idea. The most effective strategy is to simply pick a decent idea and build it. Each project, even a 'losing' one, provides crucial learnings that bring you closer to your eventual successful venture.
Success isn't linear. Mobile gaming giant Supercell didn't start with mobile games, and drone delivery firm ZipLine began with a robotic toy. This shows that foundational failures in one area can be the necessary learning experiences that lead to market-defining success in another.
A perfect track record of high-performing content indicates a content strategy that is too safe. Occasional "flops" are not failures; they are crucial data points that help you find the creative boundaries and discover new, resonant topics. Consistently testing and pushing limits is necessary for long-term growth and innovation.
Their success isn't from brilliant ideas, but from a massive volume of experiments. By trying dozens of new promotions and social media posts weekly, they accept a high failure rate to learn faster than any competitor. This contrasts with the typical corporate playbook of repeating safe, proven tactics.
Finding entrepreneurial success often requires a decade-long period of trial and error. This phase of launching seemingly "dumb" or failed projects is not a sign of incompetence but a necessary learning curve to develop skills, judgment, and self-awareness. The key is to keep learning and taking shots.
