4 ms·

This guy led Docker's marketing-first approach here on HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=shykes https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=shykes https://hn.a

This guy led Docker's marketing-first approach here on HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=shykes https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=shykes https://hn.algolia.com/?query=author:shykes%20docker&sort=byDate&type=comment https://hn.algolia.com/?query=author:shykes%20docker&sort=by... I put CloudFlare in a similar boat, but CloudFlare seems more tech-savvy (apart from one giant screw-up that cemented marketing-first for me). I'll always be sad that marketing wins.

c_r_w 9y ago
What does that mean, "marketing-first approach?" Is this a common distinction in the Hacker News culture?
- discussedbefore 9y ago
  If I had to pick a more common phrase to research on HN, it would be "growth hacking". By marketing-first I mean growth hacking/PR is priority #1. I'm not saying anything against this person professionally or personally, it is more a textbook example of marketing hustle as key to financial success. I prioritize technology ahead of marketing, and am currently struggling to flip this around. PS. I didn't know Docker was YCS10, so props to YC for connecting with this person early. Growth hacking definitely fits into the YC culture.
  - sah2ed 9y ago
    > I prioritize technology ahead of marketing, and am currently struggling to flip this around. May I ask why you feel strongly about a technology-first approach? I can think of someone that tried your exact approach, but it didn't end well. He happens to be a member of this community [0] and he wrote a great blog post [1] introspecting as to the reasons why technology-first approaches don't work in the world we live in. If you've not read it, I encourage you to do so. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=coffeemug https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=coffeemug [1] http://www.defmacro.org/2017/01/18/why-rethinkdb-failed.html http://www.defmacro.org/2017/01/18/why-rethinkdb-failed.html
    - discussedbefore 9y ago
      I just love tech a lot more than marketing, probably primarily because I'm much better at tech! I'm glad that RethinkDB seems to be headed toward a happy ineding as a community, and thanks for the pointer to the write up.
wmf 9y ago
IMO Docker and CloudFlare have lived up to their hype more than most startups, so it seems pretty cynical to complain about their marketing.

c_r_w 9y ago

What does that mean, "marketing-first approach?" Is this a common distinction in the Hacker News culture?

discussedbefore 9y ago
If I had to pick a more common phrase to research on HN, it would be "growth hacking". By marketing-first I mean growth hacking/PR is priority #1. I'm not saying anything against this person professionally or personally, it is more a textbook example of marketing hustle as key to financial success. I prioritize technology ahead of marketing, and am currently struggling to flip this around. PS. I didn't know Docker was YCS10, so props to YC for connecting with this person early. Growth hacking definitely fits into the YC culture.
- sah2ed 9y ago
  > I prioritize technology ahead of marketing, and am currently struggling to flip this around. May I ask why you feel strongly about a technology-first approach? I can think of someone that tried your exact approach, but it didn't end well. He happens to be a member of this community [0] and he wrote a great blog post [1] introspecting as to the reasons why technology-first approaches don't work in the world we live in. If you've not read it, I encourage you to do so. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=coffeemug https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=coffeemug [1] http://www.defmacro.org/2017/01/18/why-rethinkdb-failed.html http://www.defmacro.org/2017/01/18/why-rethinkdb-failed.html
  - discussedbefore 9y ago
    I just love tech a lot more than marketing, probably primarily because I'm much better at tech! I'm glad that RethinkDB seems to be headed toward a happy ineding as a community, and thanks for the pointer to the write up.

wmf 9y ago

IMO Docker and CloudFlare have lived up to their hype more than most startups, so it seems pretty cynical to complain about their marketing.