In 2014, Peter Thiel called Twitter "horribly mismanaged" with "a lot of weed-smoking going on".
Today, X has its fewest employees in 10 years and highest usage ever.
The Elon Effect is real.
Here's how he transformed X into one of the most efficient businesses ever: x.com
Today, X has its fewest employees in 10 years and highest usage ever.
The Elon Effect is real.
Here's how he transformed X into one of the most efficient businesses ever: x.com
Let's rewind to 2014.
Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder and tech oracle, drops a bombshell on CNBC:
"Twitter is horribly mismanagedβprobably a lot of pot-smoking going on there."
Twitter's CEO at the time, responds with a joke about Doritos:
What stemmed this? x.com
Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder and tech oracle, drops a bombshell on CNBC:
"Twitter is horribly mismanagedβprobably a lot of pot-smoking going on there."
Twitter's CEO at the time, responds with a joke about Doritos:
What stemmed this? x.com
Perhaps a reference to a 2011 incident:
Snoop Dogg visited Twitter HQ and reportedly held an impromptu weed-fueled dance party.
Yes, really. A rap legend hotboxed Twitter's office.
Silicon Valley's "work hard, play hard" culture taken to the extreme...
Fast forward to 2022: x.com
Snoop Dogg visited Twitter HQ and reportedly held an impromptu weed-fueled dance party.
Yes, really. A rap legend hotboxed Twitter's office.
Silicon Valley's "work hard, play hard" culture taken to the extreme...
Fast forward to 2022: x.com
Twitter was struggling:
β’ $221M loss in 2021
β’ User growth stagnant
β’ Fierce competition from TikTok and Instagram
The "robust monopoly" Twitter once had was crumbling.
Many wondered: Was Thiel right all along? x.com
β’ $221M loss in 2021
β’ User growth stagnant
β’ Fierce competition from TikTok and Instagram
The "robust monopoly" Twitter once had was crumbling.
Many wondered: Was Thiel right all along? x.com
2023: Enter Elon Musk. His $44B takeover shocked everyone.
Critics said:
"Musk will destroy Twitter's culture!"
"He doesn't understand social media!"
"This is the end of Twitter as we know it!"
But Musk had a plan to prove them all wrong... x.com
Critics said:
"Musk will destroy Twitter's culture!"
"He doesn't understand social media!"
"This is the end of Twitter as we know it!"
But Musk had a plan to prove them all wrong... x.com
Musk's first move? Shocking but effective:
He laid off 50% of the workforce, from 7,500 to ~2,000 employees.
Most thought this would kill Twitter.
But usage actually went UP.
The Elon Effect was just beginning...
Why did firing employees work so well? x.com
He laid off 50% of the workforce, from 7,500 to ~2,000 employees.
Most thought this would kill Twitter.
But usage actually went UP.
The Elon Effect was just beginning...
Why did firing employees work so well? x.com
Two words: Parkinson's Law.
"Work expands to fill the time you give it."
In other words, give someone a week for a 2-hour task, and it'll take a week.
By drastically reducing staff, Musk forced efficiency. No time for bureaucracy or unnecessary meetings. Next?
"Work expands to fill the time you give it."
In other words, give someone a week for a 2-hour task, and it'll take a week.
By drastically reducing staff, Musk forced efficiency. No time for bureaucracy or unnecessary meetings. Next?
Musk rebranded Twitter to "X".
Why? To align with his vision of an "everything app".
This wasn't just a name change. It was a complete reinvention:
β’ AI
β’ Payments
β’ Video calls
X is becoming the WeChat of the West.
But Musk's most controversial move? x.com
Why? To align with his vision of an "everything app".
This wasn't just a name change. It was a complete reinvention:
β’ AI
β’ Payments
β’ Video calls
X is becoming the WeChat of the West.
But Musk's most controversial move? x.com
Overhauling Twitter's verification system.
He introduced Twitter Blue, allowing anyone to buy the coveted blue checkmark.
Critics called it the death of Twitter's credibility.
But it had two genius effects:
He introduced Twitter Blue, allowing anyone to buy the coveted blue checkmark.
Critics called it the death of Twitter's credibility.
But it had two genius effects:
1. It created a new revenue stream, reducing reliance on volatile ad dollars.
2. It gamified Twitter. People now had a reason to engage more.
The result?
Monthly active users grew to over 500 million, up 6% year-over-year.
Engagement is through the roof.
Musk's secret weapon? x.com
2. It gamified Twitter. People now had a reason to engage more.
The result?
Monthly active users grew to over 500 million, up 6% year-over-year.
Engagement is through the roof.
Musk's secret weapon? x.com
AI.
He's using X's massive data to train cutting-edge AI models.
This includes integrating his Grok chatbot directly into X.
Why does this matter?
Because X is becoming a testing ground for the future of AI.
But Musk's most impactful change isn't technological...
He's using X's massive data to train cutting-edge AI models.
This includes integrating his Grok chatbot directly into X.
Why does this matter?
Because X is becoming a testing ground for the future of AI.
But Musk's most impactful change isn't technological...
It's cultural.
He ended remote work, demanding a "hardcore" work ethic.
Many saw this as cruel.
But it had an unexpected effect:
It created a team of highly motivated "X-Men" (pun intended).
He ended remote work, demanding a "hardcore" work ethic.
Many saw this as cruel.
But it had an unexpected effect:
It created a team of highly motivated "X-Men" (pun intended).
The results speak for themselves:
β’ 45% increase in daily video views to 8.2 billion
β’ X usage is growing 30% faster than Instagram among Gen Z
β’ People spend 26% more time viewing ads on X vs other platforms
All with a fraction of the original workforce.
The big takeaway:
β’ 45% increase in daily video views to 8.2 billion
β’ X usage is growing 30% faster than Instagram among Gen Z
β’ People spend 26% more time viewing ads on X vs other platforms
All with a fraction of the original workforce.
The big takeaway:
Elon's made X the digital town square for the world's brightest minds.
Founders, leaders, and innovators are here β sharing insights you can't find anywhere else.
Not on X? You're missing the conversation shaping the future.
And if you'd like to get started creating on X x.com
Founders, leaders, and innovators are here β sharing insights you can't find anywhere else.
Not on X? You're missing the conversation shaping the future.
And if you'd like to get started creating on X x.com
Founders: Weβll build your personal/company brand on π (and beyond) without you lifting a finger.
To date, we've already helped 60+ founders get 2+ Billion combined views.
Interested in how we can do this for you? Book your free discovery call here: form.typeform.com
To date, we've already helped 60+ founders get 2+ Billion combined views.
Interested in how we can do this for you? Book your free discovery call here: form.typeform.com
Thanks for reading! A bit about me:
9 months ago, I was a banker in London when I found the opportunity of the decade:
Personal Branding.
So, I dropped everything to build @ThoughtleadrX β and we've since scaled to 20+ around the world.
Follow me for more content like this! x.com
9 months ago, I was a banker in London when I found the opportunity of the decade:
Personal Branding.
So, I dropped everything to build @ThoughtleadrX β and we've since scaled to 20+ around the world.
Follow me for more content like this! x.com
Weβre hiring!
Weβre looking for top writers & content strategists for our agency:
β’ Generalists
β’ Crypto/Web3
Note: English must be your 1st language, and you must be able to work in US time zones.
Want to work with our amazing portfolio of founders? Apply here: heathered-puma-5f6.notion.site
Weβre looking for top writers & content strategists for our agency:
β’ Generalists
β’ Crypto/Web3
Note: English must be your 1st language, and you must be able to work in US time zones.
Want to work with our amazing portfolio of founders? Apply here: heathered-puma-5f6.notion.site
Loading suggestions...