The Paradox of Network Building: Starting Small to Go Big

Andrew Chen's new book delves into the experiences and strategies of building networked products and platforms, revealing a core paradox: massive successful network effects require starting with a small, stable "atomic network." The book analyzes case studies of companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Reddit, summarizing key strategies to overcome the "cold start" problem, such as solving core user pain points, creating "magic moments," and cleverly using invite-only systems and subsidies. The author emphasizes that consistently focusing on user value and adapting strategies based on reality is key to achieving explosive growth through network effects.