Unexpected Perks of a High-Ranking Hacker News Post: It's More Than Just Traffic

2025-08-20

A decade-long Hacker News user shares insights: high-ranking posts bring massive traffic, but conversions are low. The real value lies in boosted brand awareness and invaluable user feedback. The author stresses actively engaging with comments, learning from user perspectives. Furthermore, high-ranking posts lead to subsequent traffic bumps and potential collaborations, even thank-you notes. However, the author cautions that HN isn't a marketing plan; traffic is fickle, the audience limited, and direct conversions shouldn't be expected.

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Misc

Stop Asking 'Can I?', Start Saying 'I Will': A Bias for Action

2025-02-23

Instead of constantly seeking approval, take initiative and inform your boss of your plans with a deadline. This article uses the author's experience in small companies (<200 employees) to illustrate a 'proactive' strategy: for tasks within your scope, act first, give your boss veto power, and set a clear deadline. This increases efficiency and avoids delays caused by waiting for approvals. This method ensures progress while keeping the boss informed and allowing for feedback.

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Development proactiveness