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ES

Emmett Shear

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

I learned how to effectively talk to users, which is a crucial skill for startup founders, and realized that I hadn't truly understood this before launching Twitch.

Video

YC

Emmett Shear at Startup School SV 2014

@ Y Combinator

10/15/14

Related Takeaways

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I realized the importance of talking to users and seeing their problems in real life, not just taking their words at face value.

ES

Emmett Shear

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

The launch of Twitch TV was a culmination of six years of experience and learning from previous failures in startups.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/29/23

@ Y Combinator

At Justin.tv, the relationship with users improved significantly when the founders started talking directly to streamers, asking them what they needed instead of relying on surveys or reports.

ES

Emmett Shear

04/22/17

@ Y Combinator

To pivot Justin.tv, we realized we needed to talk to users to identify valuable use cases and directions for growth, particularly in gaming.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/29/23

@ Y Combinator

The core learning from Twitch was that if they could help streamers make money, those streamers would create content that millions wanted to watch.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

09/22/17

@ Y Combinator

I learned that instead of following my passion, I should focus on building what's missing by talking to users and understanding their needs.

ES

Emmett Shear

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

We didn't put in as much work for Twitch as we did for Justin TV, but we applied our efforts more effectively because we finally understood what we were doing.

PC

Paul Copplestone

05/14/25

@ Accel

I learned a lot from my first startup, especially about what not to do, like playing startup without having product-market fit.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

03/09/21

@ Y Combinator

Talking to other female founders was one of the most helpful things I did while learning on the job.