I've been shook by a recent discovery I've made:
The websites of the most influential entrepreneurs are ugly. 😳
I assumed with all that money they would find the most brilliant web developers to design them an insane UX where their thought leadership funnels beautifully into the open minds of their readers. I was wrong.
Website aesthetic doesn't matter in thought leadership.
It's like finding life changing advice packaged like soggy leftovers in digital tupperware, or having your therapist sit across from you in a pair of jorts.
Let's look at a few examples together.
1. Warren Buffett/Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway, which I bet you didn't know is based in Omaha, Nebraska, has a market capitalization of over $715 billion and is the sixth-largest public company in the world. The homepage is a single page with links, which looks like it was designed in 1999 and features a GEICO ad (how about that placement), but it's not Warren's cash register so he doesn't care.
The name at the top is enough.
Here's the website link: https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/
If you really want some amusement you can check out the eCommerce store for their activewear: https://berkshirewear.com/
2. Paul Graham
Paul is the founder of the prestigious startup incubator Y Combinator, which has produced some of the largest companies in Silicon Valley. He has been described as one of the most successful investors in the world. Dig into his essays through that link in the top left as they have shaped much of my thinking about company building.
His website feels like one of the listings from an Encarta 95 Encyclopedia CD-ROM.
Here's the website link: http://www.paulgraham.com/
3. blogmaverick from Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is the billionaire investor and owner of the Dallas Mavericks as well as a pillar of the show Shark Tank. He has 8.8 Million followers on Twitter.
Mark hasn't contributed to his blog since 2021, so maybe he's off designing a fancy new site, but just like the others, he has a place to drop his thoughts and that is all that matters. Who doesn't love a good drop shadow logo?
Here's the website link: https://blogmaverick.com/
4. Tim Ferriss
Tim is an OG of entrepreneur book writing, podcasting and digital content creation. He's been listed as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People." He is an early-stage technology investor/advisor (Uber, Facebook, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ others) and the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers, including The 4-Hour Workweek and Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers.
His site is the most appealing, and a real upgrade from his previous one, but in the same vein as the others, it is simply a place for his writing and thoughts without the bells and whistles.
Here's the website link: https://tim.blog/
5. Naval Ravikant
Naval is the co-founder, chairman and former CEO of AngelList and has over 2.1M Twitter followers who love to debate on his deep thoughts and controversial takes. His site isn't ugly or dated, but it thrives in whitespace and focuses solely on content.
Here's the website link: https://nav.al/
6. Seth Godin
Seth is one of the top marketing minds in the world and has written a daily thought on his site for over 7,000 consecutive days. His site isn't ugly. It's simple, and does exactly what he needs it to do.
Here's the website link: https://seths.blog/
7. Oprah
I don't need to tell you who Oprah is. Just take this one in.
Here's the website link: https://www.oprah.com/index.html
Today's newsletter isn't written as criticism. It's an expression of admiration. I have spent endless hours obsessing over aesthetic at the expense of output, while these giants have just gone for it. If nothing else, it's settled a debate digitally, personality does matter more.
Here's 4 takeaways for you:
- It's reader/consumer first. The customers can find what they need to. Effectiveness and simplicity are the winners in design language. Creativity can detract from experience.
- They treat their pages like journals. If you are writing thoughts down in a notebook, you aren't going to get the fanciest, most expensive notebook. You'll get the notebook you like writing in. All you need is a pen, a paper and a clear mind so you can think on paper.
- They do big things in the world, not on a website. Take note. The most successful people on social media create success off of it. Affording them the luxury to not give a sh*t what I think about their website. 😂
- They have become successful using the KISS method. Keep it simple, stupid.
Did I miss any websites? Reply to this email and I'll add them.
With purpose,
KC Holiday
📬 P.S. You now have a list of writers and entrepreneurs you should be learning from. 😉 Grab a glass of 🍷 and have a great Friday night.
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