My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
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Social Media
Status-Based Viral Hooks
Why It Works
People share content that makes them look smart, successful, or 'in the know' to their networks
Prerequisites
Product that provides social status benefitUnderstanding of target audience insecurities
How to Execute
1
Create hooks around social proof (boss thinks I'm genius)
2
Use specific impressive numbers (150 books per year)
3
Imply exclusive knowledge or insider advantage
4
Test multiple variations of core hook
When It Fails
When product doesn't actually deliver status benefit or hooks feel too promotional
Real Example
“Headway's 'My boss thinks I read 150 books a year but actually I just use Headway' - makes user feel clever and exclusive while promoting the product.”