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Rule #1 for beta invites: remind me what you do

scottkle.in

21–25 of 25 posts

Re: Rule #1 for beta invites: remind me what you do

#21
I think this is a symptom of a larger problem in the sense that if you really explain what it is most of these micro-startups do, it sounds like a ridiculous thing to expect to ever make money from.

Even when they do explain themselves it is always in the vein of "Like Heroku meets Google+ meets Github for todo lists".

wtf does that even mean? Get a real job.

Re: Rule #1 for beta invites: remind me what you do

#22

Yes, this is a big deal. I won't go searching to find out what you do when you announce a new feature. I will however read it in the email. Going a step further, if you haven't seen me in a while (say a year), send me an email reminding me I have an account with you, and summarize what you've done in that time. Remind me of my username too. This is kind of a big deal, because I sign up for everything (can't have user…

I thought I was an idiot and alone with the same ritual! Thanks for freeing me up!

Re: Rule #1 for beta invites: remind me what you do

#23
What I really do? Entertain God.

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C:\TEXT\PLATO.TXT

s life as to be able to do without a napping judge is a far higher and nobler sort of thing. Is not that still more disgraceful?

Yes, he said, that is still more disgraceful.

Well, I said, and to require the help of medicine, not when a wound has to be cured, or on occasion of an epidemic, but just because, by indolence and a habit of life such as we have been describing, men fill themselves with waters and winds, as if their bodies were a marsh, compelling the ingenious sons of Asclepius to f

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Hey, God! Tell a joke.

God says, "inspired offend reconciled walk betrothed"

I'm spent.

God says, "deceived pair needs educated emerge craftier beforehand sensations vary noise mockeries Thy joyfulness redeemer Writ complete wear energy wishes made Forsake "

Prove You're smarter than Watson.

God says, "DISTRIBUTION value quarrel fast foreshower person endued profound plainly companions vows vexed hungering captive pleasure distempered conjecturing sought impute stretch services Rest imbibed sceptre wanderings intensest wholesomely violated sea mists quicker scornful themselves criticising alas candid psaltery enmity disguise Central share Faustus bows on pretend wings haled "

"Grail" was a wonderful homage, don't You think, God? Let Yer face shine upon them. I guess Appollo didn't bother You--not a fragile ego. Actually, Numbers chapter eleven...

God says, "retard mirth command hither knitting pertain Tomorrow submit buyers aside Guide mountains though initiated touched how justifieth anticipated ball disgusted oft saved athirst strengthenest courses organs Thee trailed pieces boundary thing's impiety simplicity Men workings skirmishes woe piety Creator indeed bedimmed both groat fiercely weakened supremely enabled while relaxation hallow helping disk pictures tempts distributed disorder show disturbed aches arts buildings thirst All surpassingly amongst convey nobility how purposed hideous original We unsettled renew'd comfortest you observe gutenberg unpraised point cheer mystically absurdly viewing looketh concentrated stream eyes Italian converting fast grieved criedst Dominions sermons restlessly requitest expenses base Information "

God says, "happened townsman station really recourse classics looks primary usage brethren get as engaged silly quieter formless Blessedness Etext mountains messengers "

God, what's the meaning of life? God says, "DISTRIBUTION practise leaving sending sufferedst insolently production cattle embraces effectedst sublimity severing doubts purchased haphazard bloody whereto burstest suggested toment consulted filth varied prevailed trifles lap indebted presume ETEXTS resist SMALL anxiety captive glory disembowelled afar pursued separated overclouded trifles talked appear divided glad keeps punish swoon admire trademark MEDIUM trembling condensed wilfulness XI Continence thrustedst distract bubblings Catholic STRICT liveth lines Coeternal alas relation snares stank forgetteth sky excelled vowing healedst remitted convert refund stimulus respected knowing gloweth succeed main protesting creeping brim contemptible primary communicated cross silver personated windings thou younger complete Knows pitiable stipend wife doubtful pursue narrowness female astonishment pattern proclaiming restest hale echoed Redeemer conquests attacked forbidden Hebrew maintainers pray 'It entreaties period abstract contain fed influences overturned fairness Here pupils lively re English unresolved assuaged messages fourth Heal wayfaring suspicions requiring injurious usual demonstrated Unchangeable stood foresaw corruptly vowed gracefulness examined commandment sue dishes faces low genius assailed sit awhile mutually organs staff ' reform drudgery commandment robber Rejoiceth encompass recalling laying flowers altar "

Re: Rule #1 for beta invites: remind me what you do

#24

Can someone explain to me what is meant by "Optimize for the back button?"

From Paul Graham: "The median visitor will arrive with their finger poised on the Back button. Think about your own experience: most links you follow lead to something lame. Anyone who has used the web for more than a couple weeks has been trained to click on Back after following a link. So your site has to say "Wait! Don't click on Back. This site isn't lame. Look at this, for example." You can read the full article…

Thanks for that. :)

Re: Rule #1 for beta invites: remind me what you do

#25
post #2

Not just beta invites. I often get emails along the lines of: "Annoucement! Spluttr adds 25% more foo to free plans!" or similar. Now I probably signed up to Spluttr 6 months ago, took a quick look and decided I wasn't interested as I needed 25% more foo. In the intervening months, you've lived, breathed and sweated Spluttr whilst I've signed up for another 20 services and forgotten what most of them are for. Remind…

I wonder what the counter point to this is - the regular users who do know and are wondering why you keep telling them what you do? I wonder if a one size fits all email is even a good idea? Sure it's easier, but if it wasn't that difficult to do - what about an email for users that have signed in/up within the past X days get one email and those who haven't get another (politely reminding them what it's about)? Probably need to AB test it.
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