Startups don’t need to go viral to win customers
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What's this about?
At TechCrunch Disrupt last week, two founders and a VC discussed how to not just gain an early following but keep one.
The one-panel cartoon
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A crowded tech conference booth showcasing a startup's product, with a sign reading 'Our App: Not Viral, But Enduringly Useful'. Attendees are visibly unimpressed, checking their watches and looking at their phones.
Caption: We're here to prove: slow and steady wins the startup race
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on techcrunch.com.
Editor's note
While the allure of going viral is hard to resist, it's refreshing to hear that startups can actually thrive by focusing on building a steady, loyal customer base rather than chasing fleeting fame. In an age where attention spans are shorter than ever, this counterintuitive approach might just be the secret to long-term success.
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Panel 1
### Subject and Irony The story revolves around startups and the common misconception that virality is the sole path to success. The irony lies in the fact that building a sustainable, dedicated customer base can be more effective than fleeting viral fame. The highlight will be a relatable moment where a startup founder realizes that true success lies in meaningful engagement rather than instant popularity. ### Script
Panel 2
*Setting: A small office with bare walls and a few desks. A young startup founder, JAY, sits at his desk, wearing a t-shirt with a generic logo and staring at his computer screen, visibly frustrated.* Jay (muttering)
Jay: Another day, another failed viral tweet...
Panel 3
*Setting: The same office, but now the room is tidier. Jay is still at his desk, but he’s surrounded by sticky notes with ideas and customer feedback. He’s talking to a customer, a middle-aged woman in a sweater, who is giving him a thoughtful look.*
Customer: Your product is amazing, Jay. It's just not flashy.
Panel 4
*Setting: Jay’s desk, now cluttered with genuine customer feedback and thank-you notes. Jay is sitting back, smiling warmly, a lightbulb moment on his face.* Jay (to himself, smiling)
Jay: Viral or not, I’ve got loyal fans. That’s what matters.
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