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3 Core Principles for Building Products

In today’s world, technology is everywhere. With enough resources, we can build almost anything—from advanced neural networks to extravagant movie productions. But the real question is, does anyone really need what we create? To navigate this, let’s dive into three essential principles that I’ve distilled from my hands-on experience in product development.

1. Selling a Story, Not Just a Product 🎬

Forget code and pixels for a second—what truly sells is a compelling story. You don’t need months of coding or extensive design to figure out if your product will work; you need a powerful narrative, a relevant experiment, and real users to test it out. A great story can make people pay for anything, even a fake luxury music festival. Why? Because humans are wired to connect through stories, myths, and emotions—they shape our beliefs and decisions more than any set of technical specs ever will.

When developing a product, technology and design often steal the spotlight, but the truth is, people aren’t buying code or slick interfaces; they’re buying a vision that resonates with them. They want to solve a problem or feel something deeper. Focus on your product’s value proposition and communicate it through a story that users can relate to. It’s not about the technical details—users don’t care about button radiuses or API configurations—they care about how your product makes their lives easier.

2. Experiment Fearlessly and Embrace the Outcome 🔬

Launching a product idea is like stepping into the unknown—it might succeed, evolve, or fail spectacularly. Embrace the uncertainty and accept the facts as they are, because resisting reality only leads to failure. History has shown us countless examples: communism resisted economic realities, Theranos defied scientific facts, and both collapsed under the weight of their own illusions.

The key is to test early and test often. Before you invest months in development, ask yourself:What data do we need to validate this idea?and How can we run an experiment to collect it?Whether it’s a small Facebook ad campaign or putting ads on a bus, find a creative way to measure interest without sinking tons of time and money into development. Experiments don’t have to be perfect—they need to be informative. They’ll help you understand if there’s real demand for your product or if you need to pivot.

3. Adaptability Over Perfection 🔄

In the world of digital products, there’s no such thing as a final version. Continuous improvement is the name of the game. Products and users co-evolve; what starts as one idea can quickly shift as user feedback comes in. Embrace this process—release quickly, iterate often, and stay open to change. Whether you’re building a security software or developing an online payment system, flexibility allows you to adapt and grow.

There’s no perfect product, only iterations that meet user needs in the moment. What works for one group may not work for another—preferences are subjective, and it’s crucial to understand your audience’s specific needs and desires. By staying adaptable, you’ll be able to refine your product continuously, making it better every day, rather than striving for an impossible “perfect” version.

Conclusion: Innovation Through Exploration 🌟

Product development isn’t just about building—it’s about storytelling, experimentation, and evolution. Focus on the narrative that connects with your users, run creative tests to gather data, and remain flexible as you adapt your product to meet real needs. By embracing these principles, you’ll not only build successful products but also create meaningful experiences that resonate in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world.

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