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If copycat apps could succeed, there would be millions of Twitter and facebook clones since it is not that hard to duplicate their technology. What make 37 sig
by maxwin 17y ago
If copycat apps could succeed, there would be millions of Twitter and facebook clones since it is not that hard to duplicate their technology.
What make 37 signals successful are not just their app, but their brilliant marketing skills,well known blogs and fantastic designs. These set of skills are not that easy to copy.
- deleted 17y ago[deleted]
- fjabre 17y agoAgreed. I wouldn't even attempt to copy them and would not consider this a copycat app. I only use them as a shining example of well marketed/executed office productivity apps, a large space in which I intend to play in. I just wonder if they would have been more successful with a different revenue model...
- growt 17y agoApps like Twitter and Facebook need a critical mass of users to function ("all my friends are there"). But online project management works if you use it just for your team. So don't think your examples match this situation. You're right with the marketing of course, but that could work as well for other markets.
- ssharp 17y agoThis is exactly right. And given the somewhat simple nature of a product like Basecamp, I'm surprised that no cheaper, legitimate alternative has really popped up and/or gained traction.
- fjabre 17y agoYeah quite true. FB & Twitter are #1 in their markets (Twitter being a true innovation) not b/c they have a few million users but b/c they have 10s of millions and in FB's case 100s of millions. No one even knows about the #2s in that space. Whereas with 37signals and other productivity apps there is plenty of room to be #2 or #3 or even carve out a nice well paying niche for yourself - all but impossible in an ad supported model where you need that critical mass or you go the way of Friendster..