I’ve always been a “product guy.”
From early-stage B2B startups to legacy systems, my philosophy was simple: Build the right product, and it will sell itself. I bought into the dream of Product-Led Growth (PLG)—if the code is good enough, the users will come.
But that worldview was shattered by a single question asked during a meetup with folks from HF0 (a top-tier residency for founders).
I was casually pitching my idea to disrupt the real estate market in Korea. I focused on technical excellence and features. Then, a repeat founder asked:
“If you had the perfect product right now, how would you get a million users to use it?”
I froze.
I mumbled something about “good SEO” or “help from investors” but deep down, I knew those were antique answers. I had a plan for the code, but I had zero plan for the people.
That silence made me realize how much the game has changed.
Looking around, the most successful launches aren’t just about “better features.” They are about attention:
- I see viral reels from Cluely taking over my feed.
- I see Sam Altman and Elon Musk acting as the primary hype-man for their fabulous AI models
- I see technical founders on X building massive audiences that serve as ‘guaranteed distribution’ before they even launch their first version.
The “Builder” is now the “Influencer.”
The new norm isn’t a press release; it’s a Discord server buzzing with activity. It’s founders engaging directly on LinkedIn and X, turning their personal journey into a marketing channel. The “moat” is no longer just the tech; it’s the community.
With this realization, I’m adding a new dimension to my work. I’m not just building code anymore; I’m building a narrative.
I’ve started my journey on X, stepping out of my quiet developer comfort zone to build a personal brand. The product still matters—but now I know that if I don’t speak up, nobody will care how good the code is.
Tech.Zealot 
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