Billboard: Prove the Business Model Before Building the App
season S4 · episode 8 · block #876947
synopsis
Ian introduces NextBlock Billboard — a stripped-down product that proves the attention marketplace business model before building the full social media app. Inspired by the Million Dollar Homepage, Billboard pays users Bitcoin to watch feature videos about NextBlock. They also articulate the full product suite (Billboard, Social, Maps, Search, Ads), reject mission statements as "fiat," and Ian sets May 1st as the launch target.
quotes
"We are dog fooding our own business model."
"Bitcoin isn't real. There's no Bitcoin mine. You can't hold Bitcoin."
"All right. May 1st." — Ian setting the launch date
"That whole thing, that Steve Jobs persona, all of that is fiat."
"If we can't lie about it anyway, let's make that a feature." — On transparent data
"Maybe we'll get an offer we can't refuse and we sell this. I do not see that happening."
"Only actions matter." — The anti-mission-statement mission statement
topics
NextBlock Billboard concept and launch planFive-product suite: Billboard, Social, Maps, Search, AdsMillion Dollar Homepage inspirationAttention as a synthetic commodity (only priced in Bitcoin)May 1st launch target (anniversary of Ian quitting his job)Mission statements as fiat / "only actions matter"Dog fooding the business modelBootstrapping with a product, not fundraising