# Hypelink Missions > Creators can launch Hypelink missions that get their fans to share a post with their own networks, so it reaches a lot more people. A case study from my time as the founding product designer at Backstage. Web page: https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/backstage/creating-participating-in-a-hypelink Creators can boost the virality of their content by launching Hypelink missions, empowering their fans to share it within their networks. Product Design · Backstage · Finished in 1 month · www.backstage.army Get the Backstage app: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/backstage-join-your-tribe/id1569019928) · [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.creatorstack.commune&hl=en_US&gl=US) ## Overview ### Building the super app for creators to manage their super fans. Backstage is an exclusive app for creators to connect deeply with their audience, monetize their content, and grow their creative business. The company raised $2M in seed funding from Accel, OnDeck, and PointOne Capital. In this project, I worked on “Hypelink” feature that enables creators to work with their fans and make their online content go viral by adding an element of gamification. - **Role:** Lead Designer – Research, Interaction Design, Prototyping, QA Testing, Project Management - **Team:** 1 Co-founder, 1 Product Manager, 2 Developers, 1 QA Engineer - **Timeline & Status:** 1 Month, Feature is live on the product ## Impact Metrics ### The product grew from 0 to 100k users with a total of 40k+ hypelinks launched to date. - **100k+** Total Users - **40k+** Hypelink Launched - **24%** Engagement Time Increase ## Demo A short glimpse of the Hypelink creation and participation flows in the Backstage app. (video: https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/videos/creating-participating-i-demo-YoUu9EUBjp.mp4) ## Problem Space ### Creators find it hard to make their content go viral and are looking for ways to get help from their fans. Creators frequently encounter difficulties when it comes to promoting their content online and achieving virality. Currently, they lack the necessary tools and platforms to collaborate with their fans in a coordinated effort to promote their work. The following is the story of Airrack, a creator who took matters into his own hands. He created a website where his fans could actively participate in promoting his content, ultimately helping him reach the impressive milestone of 1,000,000 subscribers on YouTube! ![Airrack’s fan mission website](https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/images/creating-participating-i-problem-space-89g48OnsDX.png) He developed a platform where each fan would receive a personalized link to share with their network. Depending on the number of subscribers they brought in, fans would receive rewards. Upon speaking with several creators, we discovered that many of them desired a simple way to create and launch similar missions. This insight inspired us to create “Hypelinks”. ![Airrack’s fan missions and rewards](https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/images/creating-participating-i-problem-space-gVOnunT2ol.png) If you want to know more on how Airrack grew from 0 to 1 million subscribers in a year, check out this [YouTube Video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZEVw5a21MA) ## User Segment ### Backstage is designed to cater to both creators and their loyal fans. ![Backstage user segments diagram](https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/images/creating-participating-i-user-segment-J937Fc6Jlm-nobg.png) ## Design Process ### A lean, ship fast, test and iterate approach. ![Backstage design process diagram](https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/images/creating-participating-i-demo-ovUA8YaE0S-nobg.png) ## Solution: Creating a Hypelink ### Creators can create and launch Hypelink missions in a simple, fast and intuitive way. Video: [Creating a Hypelink](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iznTwzLkKs) [Link to Figma Prototype](https://www.figma.com/proto/TIkFrtCPsOiLBD7GCiZpTr/Challenges---Creator-Side?page-id=1214%3A8404&type=design&node-id=1-4733&viewport=-436%2C100%2C0.26&t=hzQ7dxybZ8i2C2uU-1&scaling=scale-down&starting-point-node-id=1%3A4733&mode=design) (creating a Hypelink) #### User flow: Creating a Hypelink How does a Creator launch a new Hypelink mission using the Backstage app? ![User flow: creating a Hypelink](https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/images/creating-participating-i-solution-creating-a-challenge-g4TqdEvoxi-nobg.png) ## Solution: Participating in a Hypelink Mission ### Fans can easily participate in Hypelink missions and win rewards for their effort. Video: [Participating in a Hypelink](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjYfMP0mu8s) [Link to Figma Prototype](https://www.figma.com/proto/LklHu2yc1YJe4LFyfbPH0t/Challenges---Fan-Side?page-id=1208%3A8072&type=design&node-id=6-6226&viewport=1314%2C-1783%2C0.12&t=3FRwC65DSbrHQqWO-1&scaling=scale-down&starting-point-node-id=6%3A6226&mode=design) (participating in a Hypelink mission) #### User flow: Participating in a Hypelink Mission How does a Fan participate in a Hypelink mission and win rewards? ![User flow: participating in a Hypelink mission](https://www.karthiksivacharan.me/assets/images/creating-participating-i-solution-participating-in-a-ch-fdKN2tkfWq-nobg.png) ## Challenges Faced ### Working in a fast-paced, early-stage startup in a completely new domain was a challenging and enriching experience. - **👨‍💻 Solo Product Designer**: After the first few months, I was the sole product designer in the team, overseeing both product development and marketing efforts. - **🧭 Unexplored Problem Space**: Creator economy was a completely new space for me, and I had little understanding of the user segment. - **🙋‍♂️ Different User Segments**: I had to constantly switch context and design, considering that creators and their fans would have a different experience while using the product. - **❗ Feature Creep**: Because we were operating in a “ship fast and iterate” mindset with limited user understanding, I had to say no to many feature additions and enhancements. ## Learnings & Takeaways ### I loved working in a resource-constrained and ship-fast environment. - **🔎 Understanding the core motivation of users is crucial**: Doing user interview calls with creators and their fans made me realise that what people want and what they say they want might not always be the same. - **🧠 The smartest way to design is not to reinvent the wheel**: When designing a product in an unexplored space, the smartest and quickest way to design is to take inspiration from existing products that work. - **🙋‍♂️ Involving all the stakeholders at the start of the process is important**: While collaborating and working in small teams, I learned the value of gathering ideas and input from every team member right at the outset of the design process. - **❗ A good relationship with the PM & developers makes life easier**: Learning to speak the language of PM and developers and making adjustments to work with them towards a common goal made my job as a designer less stressful. ## The End Thank you for your time. Feel free to reach out if you have any feedback. --- ## Working on something and need a designer who can also build it? [Let’s talk](mailto:karthiksivacharan@gmail.com) · [Book a call](https://cal.com/ksivacharan) · [X](https://x.com/k_sivacharan) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthik-sivacharan/) · [GitHub](https://github.com/Karthik-Sivacharan)