How to make a billion dollars on the internet 💰💰💰

And the case of Snapchat 👻

Many people dream of building the next big thing. Making a billion dollar on the internet is the big goal for many entrepreneurs and makers of this world. But is it really that hard or is it just psychology and looking at how the world works?

We recently sat down with Nils Davis, a Product Manager from Silicon Valley. Nils has built products for over 10 years and even built a product for product managers. He just published his new book: “The Secret Product Manager Handbook” you can check out here.

In Product Management we often talk about solving problems. But the word “problem” is a rather general concept. This can also be an “unmet desire” or something customers might have but not aware of it yet. That’s what we are trying to discover in Product Management.

What is the secret formula for building the next big thing?

“If you want to make a billion dollars on the internet, take something humans have always done and make a better solution for doing that — using software.”

Famously said by Ev Williams.

Unmet Desires: Snapchat

Snapchat is a great example, a lot of adults don’t get. It serves that unmet desire of teenagers to always want to check in with each other and touch base. Checking if the group is still here and the conversation is still going. Adults communicate a lot more with purpose and don’t have that need to check in with the group anymore — hence Snapchat often doesn’t make much sense for them.

Instant Messaging: Whatsapp, Telegram

A similar desire is served by instant messaging apps. Humans have had that desire to talk to other people and get a timely response. Also that need of keeping touch, building relationships — with individuals or groups.

So think of what humans have always done or how they have behaved and how you can make it better by building a software solution to it.

If you want to learn more about Product, Design & Entrepreneurship and how to build billion dollar products — check out PLAYBOOK, a mobile video micro-learning app which helps you learn more effective and efficient.

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