Amazon Press Release First
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Amazon uses a unique "work backwards" approach where they write a press release for a product before building it. This helps align teams and clarify the customer value proposition early.
Core Press Release Method Components
- Write a complete press release before building anything
- Focus on customer benefits rather than technical features
- Keep it simple - should be understandable by general public
- Include mock customer quotes and pricing details
- Aim for 1 page maximum length
Key Benefits
- Forces clarity of thinking upfront
- Helps identify if product is worth building
- Aligns teams around common vision
- Makes sure customer value is clear
- Prevents wasting resources on unclear ideas
Writing Process
- Start with customer problem/need
- Describe solution in customer-friendly terms
- Include specific details about:
- Product features
- Pricing
- Availability
- Customer quotes
- Company quotes
- Revise until compelling and clear
- If can't write exciting press release, product probably isn't worth building
Implementation Tips
- Write multiple drafts
- Get feedback from others
- Keep refining until exciting
- Use as alignment tool throughout development
- Reference regularly to stay on track
- Update as needed but maintain core vision
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too technical/internal focused
- Not including specific details
- Making it too long/complex
- Focusing on features over benefits
- Not including customer perspective
This method helps Amazon ensure they're building things customers actually want rather than just what's technically interesting to build.
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.