We don’t want to create unnecessary friction for our early adopters, but we need to ask for some effort and investment to ensure their commitment is meaningful.
Why? When people invest effort—whether time, energy, money, or attention—they value what they receive differently. They become more engaged, more committed to success, and more likely to provide valuable feedback.
This isn’t about making things unnecessarily difficult but about creating the right barriers and tension that filter for those who truly care. Those willing to invest in what we’re building and who will become not just users but advocates.
Yes, free and frictionless might attract more initial interest. But meaningful effort attracts more meaningful engagement. And meaningful engagement is what builds movements that last.
The quality of early adoption matters more than the quantity.