1/ Why is growing a consumer social app hard?

A functioning app is a necessary condition, but one you have 100% control over. It is not sufficient.

You then have 4 difficult problems to solve—at the same time. 

In order of difficulty:

1. Awareness
2. Onboarding
3. Retention
4. Interesting and entertaining content

shouldn't the content be higher on that list?  without content you cant have any of the other things.

I am a maker. I communicate through photos. Also do metal casting, 3d prints,
AI, robotics and mashups of all of these things.
http://tmophoto.com


The content is the hardest thing to do. But you don't have content without solving (to some initial degree) the first 3 items