Our buddy sold his app for $200M in just 6 weeks?!
About This Episode
Serial entrepreneur Dan Porter discusses how he turned a nearly bankrupt gaming company into a $200 million exit with 'Draw Something' in just six weeks. He shares his unconventional approach to building culture-led brands like Overtime and explains why hiring people with diverse, non-linear backgrounds is superior to hiring MBAs.
Episode Description
Show Notes
- 0:00Intro
- 1:29Story behind OMGPop gaming company
- 5:23Creating viral mobile game Draw My Thing (now Draw Something)
- 12:0225 million users a day, 1 million drawings every 5 seconds
- 24:10Zynga bought the game for $200M 6 weeks after launch
- 32:30The real power of money
- 38:32Working with Richard Branson and Ari Emmanuel
- 47:44Building Overtime (creating a brand that is part of culture)
- 52:28The Travis Scott effect
- 1:06:45Dan's life advice
Links
Check Out Shaan's Stuff
Check Out Sam's Stuff
Key Takeaways
Invert the competitive nature of products by using 'streaks' to foster collaboration, which prevents users from churning after a loss and creates a sense of social obligation.
Simplify marketing by selling the 'dream' of the end result rather than listing technical features; stripping away metadata and complex instructions makes a product more accessible to a global audience.
Build a cult brand by creating 'organic watermarks,' such as exclusive apparel or hand signs, which allow community members to recognize each other and protect your content from being stolen without credit.