Matchmakers

If you're looking for a date, you've come to the wrong site. But if you're looking for a book about network effects, Matchmakers may be for you.

The book is all about why some companies take off with seemingly impenetrable network effect moats, while others flounder. I particularly appreciated the discussion around "ignition"...how are some companies able to master "the chicken and egg problem" of having enough members to attract other members in order to create the sought-after network effects?

Unfortunately, while most books can probably be trimmed down to the size of an article, this one wouldn't take much more than a tweet storm. The authors repeat themselves over and over about how network effects work and how they differ from ordinary businesses. The case studies are interesting, but the concepts (i.e. new ideas brought to the table) are few and far between in my opinion.

If you're a total beginner to network effects, or if you want to add some case studies to your repertoire, Matchmakers: The New Economics of Multisided Platforms may be for you.