“Three years after founding the party, we became the first political party for people under 30, we had 25% of those votes which was an absolute sensation.
We were a technology party so our gender somewhat mirrored the technical courses at the university.
Among first time male voters we had a 38%.
That blew the establishment out of the water. Completely blew them out of the water.
We did that with less than one percent of their budget.
This was followed by successes all over Europe, next was Berlin in 2011and it followed pretty much in a lot of places.
We were called the fastest growing political movement.
Now we’re in a little bit of growth pains but that’s part of what happens.
There is always where you feel like you’re treading water in terms of just following through.
But the world is run by those who show up and keep showing up.
(
’s note: This speech was in early 2016, and so Rick was absolutely right, the world is run by those who show up as the pirates almost won the election in Iceland not too long ago)
So how do you create this tactical advantage? How do you turn this idea into this magnitude with a cost/efficiency advantage?
You put your ideas into practice, you practice voluntarism.
The Swarm organization has tens of thousands of volunteers, the swarm organization is not a branch of full time employees it’s just tens of thousands of volunteers, and there is a Futurama quote here:
“When push comes to shove, you gotta do what you love, even if it’s a bad idea”.
I mean, what kind of full time idiot thinks he can change the world by starting a new political party?
― Rick Falkvinge; Attracting and Organizing a Swarm to Help You Change The World.
Everyone Loves Crazy Ideas
Doing research for an outreach program, I've just learned a couple of days ago from Noah Kagan (Buzzsumo, Mint, Facebook employee number 30...etc) that the most successful companies in Silicon Valley usually spend a great time before the launch compiling a list of at least a million dollars worth of buying customers right out the gate.
Airbnb got their list of potential customers from craigslist, Paypal from eBay, Snapchat from Vine... Etc.
Now, this tactical advantage here, though it sounds like an overkill is very often the key that unlocks the door to mass-adoption.
Well, not directly - and not guaranteed of course - but it’s always your best shot to attract a critical mass, and from there it’s where it goes really fast.
Have you ever wondered why certain clubs leave the line outside grow while the dance floor is a total ghost town?
It’s to create the perception that everyone wants to go there and the rest follows. Because for so many people, if the rest believes it, then it must be true.
That’s why starting businesses always seem to focus on reaching critical mass.
There are so many ways to get there, although the online magazines will tell you to create a perception, to growth hack your audience... I personally I lean more marketing in a voluntary way where you target those who have more predisposition of adoption, just like the examples of Paypal and Airbnb above.
But it doesn't mean it's the only way, each person works with what works for them best, test, try, and write about it.
Either way, it's fascinating to see so many people moving to that direction.
Are we gonna see critical mass this 2017?
I don’t know.
All I know is that we have a mini-swarm that shows up and continues to show up, and if we use that tactical advantage as well, then maybe steemit will change the world.
I have a feeling this is going to be interesting year and hope to see you all there!
Have a great weekend!