What is the Cold Start Problem as described by Andrew Chen?

The Cold Start Problem, as described by Andrew Chen, refers to the initial challenge faced by networked products when they launch. These products need users to provide value, but attracting these initial users can be difficult without an existing network or user base. It's a chicken-and-egg problem where the product needs users to be valuable, but it's hard to attract users without the product already having value.

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When a product has a built-in feature that encourages collaboration, it can spread on its own. "This is the Product/Network Duo at work again, where the product has features to attract people to the network, while the network brings more value to the product," Chen writes. Finally, The "Economic Effect" is where network effects improve business models over time via improved feed algorithms, increased conversion rates, premium pricing, and more.

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The Cold Start Problem

When a networked product launches, it faces a chicken-and-egg problem: people need to use it for it to be worth anything. So how do you start the very...

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