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How Grammarly used feedback to facilitate growth

Faye Graham
|
April 28, 2020

Is there anything more annoying than someone correcting your grammar? Human error is hard to escape, but luckily, the creation of Grammarly in 2009 saved a nation from having to deal with the embarrassing fallout caused by everyday spelling mistakes and common grammatical slip-ups.

So how do you take a strong idea like Grammarly’s from a self-funded start-up, to a huge multi-million-dollar business? Founders Shevchenko and Lytyyn knew their market from the off and set out to sell directly to academics — namely universities and students.The ‘build it and they will come’ approach worked to a degree.

Grammarly had an outstanding product, but they knew they needed to do more.The key to their success and eventual growth though, boiled down to one thing — Feedback. Instead of trying to beat the competition and throw money into finding new avenues to expand into, they instead focussed their energy on getting detailed feedback.
Here, they then leveraged the mass of responses and data meticulously to make the best possible version of their product that they could. By cleverly streamlining their product, they then used its income to further develop. But what came next was the product of a true growth mindset.They decided to increase their potential sales funnel by making a free version of their software accessible. Giving everyone a taste of the action

The persistence to perfect their product is what made Grammarly viable. But knowing when to adapt was a skill that ultimately afforded them their triumph. Patience is a virtue. And growth? That’s a mindset.

Jolt. Teaching start up business.

So why do so few of us have creative breaks?

Because almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you.

Charles Darwin took long walks around London. Kurt Vonnegut made listening to jazz a daily priority. Fiona Apple disappeared for 6 years after the release of her third album.

So why do so few of us have creative breaks?
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I ask because I can often be found agonising over the "more". If only I posted on Instagram more, I'll think in the bath. I'd have more followers if I pitched to more publications. I need to post 2 more times a week, minimum. I could go on...

Between you and me, I've got frustrated with myself for browsing Facebook or watching too much TV more times than I can remember.

And I'm not alone. So many of us are terrified of taking a break, creatively speaking. We won't let a moment pass without listening to a podcast, consuming an article or sharing something.

The cognitive load is real, y'all.

But like Vitamin D, sleep and good food, it's not only ok to take a break, it's essential.

Living a successful life is also about knowing when not to work. For your best output, you need to focus on your input, too.

The world won't end if you disappear from the internet for a week or so. Your creativity won't suddenly stop. Your time is now, but your time was also then and it will be again.

Your dreams don't have an expiration date.

Many of us confuse being "busy" with being constructive. But you can only do your best work by taking breaks.

And science backs it up, too. The brain requires substantial downtime to do its most innovative thinking. The ideas you have while driving or in the shower aren't coincidental. They're a result of you taking a step back, whether you're aware of it or not.

Here's a challenge for you

Let yourself take a wonderful and indulgent break. Several breaks. Hell, get downright bored.

Put airplane mode on for a while. Sit down. Lie down. Be still. Do nothing. Observe. Listen to your mind. Let it do what it does without judging it.

Wallow in it. Don't be afraid of it. Push it as far as you can.

When you leave your laptop behind, something always happens. A new idea or a fresh perspective appears.

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"A spark of inspiration needs an empty cave."

Take proper breaks, often. Completely clear your mind. Your next best idea depends on it.

Taken by over 18,500 people; Calibrated by 100s of tech employees

By taking this 10-min test I can set myself up for success

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