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From MVP to MVE: Making Your Creative Work Insatiable

Have you ever wondered how to make your creative work stand out and keep people returning for more? In this post, I’ll explore an exciting journey from MVP to MVE.

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Don’t worry if these terms sound new—I’ll break them down and show you how they can help make your creative projects even better.

A Little Bit of History

Before we dive in, let’s talk about where these ideas came from. The concept of MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, has been around in the business world for a while. But it became trendy thanks to a guy named Eric Ries. In 2011, he wrote a book called “The Lean Startup,” where he explained how MVP could help new businesses test their ideas quickly and cheaply.

The idea of MVE, or Minimum Valuable Experience, is newer and doesn’t have one clear inventor. It grew out of people realizing that making something work wasn’t always enough, especially in creative fields. They started thinking more about how to make things that people would enjoy and want to experience again and again.

What are MVP and MVE?

Let’s start with MVP. It stands for Minimum Viable Product. Imagine you have a great idea for a new toy. Instead of spending months building the perfect toy with all the bells and whistles, you might first create a simple version to see if kids like it. That’s an MVP – the basic version of your idea that works just well enough to test it out.

Now, MVE takes things a step further. It means Minimum Valuable Experience. Instead of just making something that works, you’re creating something that people enjoy and want to experience again and again. Think of your favorite book or game – it’s not just functional; it’s fun and engaging. That’s what MVE is all about.

The Journey from MVP to MVE in Creative Work

So, how do we go from MVP to MVE in the world of creativity? It’s like leveling up in a video game. You start with the basics (MVP) and then add cool features and details to make it more awesome (MVE).

When working on an MVP in a creative project, you might focus on getting your main idea across. Maybe you write a short story with a beginning, middle, and end. But when you move to MVE, you start thinking about how to make that story grab people’s attention. You might add exciting characters, create a unique world for your story, or develop surprising plot twists.

The big difference is that MVE emphasizes how people feel when they experience your work. It’s not just about telling a story anymore—it’s about making people laugh, cry, or be on the edge of their seats with excitement.

Case Studies: How Brands Evolved from MVP to MVE

Let’s look at real-world examples of how brands started with a basic product (MVP) and then developed it into something that offers a much richer experience (MVE).

Airbnb: From Air Mattresses to Global Hospitality

MVP: Airbnb started in 2007 when two guys in San Francisco couldn’t afford rent. They put an air mattress in their living room and offered it to visitors as a cheap place to stay, along with breakfast. This simple idea was their MVP, showing that people were willing to stay in someone’s home instead of a hotel.

MVE: Over time, Airbnb became a platform offering unique experiences worldwide. Now, you can book entire homes, participate in local experiences led by hosts, and even stay in castles or treehouses! They’ve created a valuable experience beyond just finding a place to sleep.

Instagram: From Photo Filters to a Social Media Giant

MVP: Instagram started as a simple app called Burbn that lets people check in at locations, make plans for future check-ins, earn points for hanging out with friends, and post pictures. The founders noticed that people liked the photo-sharing part, so they focused on that for their MVP.

MVE: Today, Instagram is much more than a photo-sharing app. It offers stories, reels, live videos, shopping features, and many ways to interact with others. They’ve created a valuable experience where people can express themselves creatively, connect with friends and celebrities, and even run businesses.

Spotify: From Music Streaming to Personalized Audio Experience

MVP: Spotify began as a simple music streaming service in Sweden. Their MVP allowed users to listen to music without downloading files illegally. It was basic but solved a big problem for music lovers.

MVE: Now, Spotify offers a rich experience beyond just playing songs. They create personalized playlists based on your listening habits, offer podcasts, provide live lyrics, and even have virtual concerts. They’ve turned music listening into a comprehensive audio experience.

Dropbox: From File Storage to Collaborative Workspace

MVP: Dropbox started with a simple idea – a folder on your computer that syncs with the internet, allowing you to access your files from anywhere. Their MVP was just this basic syncing feature.

MVE: Today, Dropbox offers much more than just file storage. It has become a collaborative workspace where teams can work on documents in real time, share large files easily, and integrate with many other work tools. They’ve created a valuable experience that makes working together easier, even when people are far apart.

Slack: From Internal Tool to Communication Hub

MVP: Slack began as an internal tool for a game development company. It was a simple chat system that helped the team communicate while building a game.

MVE: Slack has evolved into a comprehensive communication platform for businesses. It now offers video calls, file sharing, hundreds of integrations with other work tools, and even uses AI to help summarize conversations. They’ve created a valuable experience that changes how teams work together.


What We Can Learn

These examples show us how powerful it can be to start simple (MVP) and build up to something more exciting and valuable (MVE). These companies began by solving a fundamental problem and kept improving by thinking about what would enhance their users’ experiences.

When you’re working on your creative projects, remember these stories. Start with your core idea, but always consider how you can improve your audience’s experience.


Embrace the MVE Mindset

Moving from MVP to MVE is about more than just improving your work. It’s about changing how you think about creativity. Instead of just making something that works, you’re creating experiences that people love and want to return to again and again.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to make something good but something great that people can’t stop thinking about. By creating valuable experiences and using strategies to make your work insatiable, you can create things that connect with people.

So, the next time you start a creative project, think beyond just getting it done. Think about making it an experience people will love and remember. That’s the power of MVE and how you can make your creative work insatiable.

The Evolution Continues

It is exciting to think about how ideas like MVP and MVE have changed how we approach creative work. When Eric Ries first wrote about MVP, he probably didn’t imagine his business concept would influence artists and writers. The people who started talking about MVE were building on his ideas to make them even better for creative fields.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll develop the next big idea that changes how we think about creativity. The world of creative work is constantly evolving, and there’s always room for new ideas and approaches. So keep experimenting, keep creating, and who knows where your ideas might lead.

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