Threads MVP is the MVP

In a world awash with Twitter clones, another arrived last week. But rather than launch into obscurity, Meta’s Threads app raced to 100 million signups. It demolished ChatGPT's record to become the fastest-adopted consumer product in history.

Whether you like it or even use it, one thing is certain: Threads is one of the best examples of how to launch an MVP.

The design is familiar. The app is simple. The signup process was seamless and gave everyone a fast start in just a few taps. When it launched, nothing was broken. Yes, it was missing some core features, like direct messaging, search, analytics etc. But these missing features make it a minimum viable product — you don’t need to have all the features ready in time to launch your startup.

The biggest lesson? Timing is everything. Meta showed impressive leadership to fire the launch gun and capitalize on Elon Musk lighting Twitter on fire with usage crackdowns. It was a masterstroke.

Now, it’s about whether Meta can build on the momentum and implement the missing features before the user base moves on to the next shiny Twitter copycat.

How to launch your next MVP

Not everyone can pull off a Threads. Many startups fail because they launch a product only to find no one wants to use it. That’s where Minimum Viable Products enter: they allow you to quickly and cost-effectively validate your assumptions before investing (and potentially wasting) significant resources.

So how do you launch your MVP?

1. Test your value proposition — conduct a demand test by creating a landing page that explains your value proposition and driving targeted traffic through online advertising.

2. Identify the must-have features — These are the must-haves that customers expect when using your product, such as login and those required for your product to function.

3. Start With a Usability Test — Run tests with three to five users and fix the most critical usability issues and bugs before launching the MVP.

4. Choose open or closed — Launch with a smaller group to minimize the risk of damaging your reputation and generates early demand and potential buzz within your target market. Or, use the Meta playbook and go all in.

5. Analyze the data — study metrics, and survey users, to find out what they like and dislike and what features need to be added asap.

👉️ Learn more about launching your next MVP here: The Ultimate Guide to Launching Your MVP Without the Hassle

Sweet Tweets

Let us hear it

What did you think of this email? Tap your choice below and let us hear it