I had never heard Kathy Sierra talk before, so colour me suprised as hell when I got up from this conversation feeling as energized about what I could with do with my life as I had when my divorce had finally become reality.
So, welcome to my blog on the best conversation I’ve heard at SxSW (so far)
Consider the balance sheet, the number of users, the money raised, or the quality of your content or customer service . . . is that the true measure of your success? They are all indicators, certainly. But Sierra may have hit on something that may be a better metric . . . how kick ass do you make your users feel about themselves?
She outlined about 20 things to consider and at the end introduced Gary Vaynerchuk as a person who is doing all the right things.
Of the top 20, here are my top five (in no particular order):
1. Inspire first person language. Your product should allow the user to talk about themselves instead of the product. Other users will be motivated by hearing from people just like them who are talking how the product allows them to kick ass. . .
2. Give your users a way to reduce stress. Solve a problem for them that when they use it, their stress level goes down.
3. When users become experts, they become mentors. Speed the process by creating mentors earlier. Encourage your users to ask and answer questions. There are no bad answers!
4. Make your product feel more alive. real world physics matters . . . really. From the way cars get dented when you crash them in Grand Theft Auto or when you see the little “throw bounce” when you scroll an iPhone. Acknowledging the real world compels the virtual.
5. Create Joy. Think about the last time you felt like you kicked ass. Give that to your customers.
For me, the best examples of who does this the best would be (in no particular order)
1. Apple
2. Wordpress
3. Men’s Wearhouse
4. Bluetooth
5. My Day Job
What are yours?
