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Andrew Mason

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

During the early days of 'The Point', we tried various marketing campaigns, including one that attracted a community of Insane Clown Posse fans, known as Juggalos, who ended up trolling our site instead of contributing positively.

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Andrew Mason at Startup School SV 2014

@ Y Combinator

Andrew Mason at Startup School SV 2014

10/15/14

Related Takeaways

Andrew Mason

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

We launched 'The Point' in September 2006, but after floundering for about a year, we pivoted to create Groupon.

Ben Silbermann

11/09/16

@ Y Combinator

In the beginning, we did desperate things to attract users, like changing Apple Store computers to display Pinterest, hoping to create buzz.

Andrew Mason

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

While running 'The Point', we launched Groupon as a side project, which allowed me to shift my focus without admitting that 'The Point' was failing.

Keith Schacht

11/27/17

@ Y Combinator

I remember one moment when we realized we had traction; we got about 15,000 signups in a day after running a small ad on Facebook about Mystery Science.

Luis von Ahn

12/01/23

@ The Logan Bartlett Show

Our marketing strategy initially relied on PR and organic growth, especially leveraging our unique owl mascot, which became a viral sensation.

Andrew Mason

10/15/14

@ Y Combinator

I came up with the idea for 'The Point' while I was a grad student at the University of Chicago, aiming to create a social platform for collective action that required a tipping point of participation.

Ben Silbermann

11/09/16

@ Y Combinator

We organized a marketing event with bloggers who seemed like the kind of people that would enjoy Pinterest, and they introduced the service to their audiences.

Luis von Ahn

12/01/23

@ The Logan Bartlett Show

We embraced the memes surrounding our owl mascot, which helped us connect with users and enhance our brand presence.

Ryan Hoover

10/05/17

@ Y Combinator

Press coverage and engaging with makers on Twitter were key tactics for growing Product Hunt's user base in the early days.