Connecting Farsi Speakers Through Notion
Connecting Farsi Speakers Through Notion
From building a website to hosting webinars, we built a space for Farsi speakers to master Notion and collaborate.
From building a website to hosting webinars, we built a space for Farsi speakers to master Notion and collaborate.
10%
10%
Monthly growth
Monthly growth
+6
+6
Launched Notion Talks
Launched Notion Talks
+3,000
+3,000
Members within the first 6 months
Members within the first 6 months
Community
Website
Services
Webinars
My Role
My Role
Co-founder
Product Designer
Illustrator
Social Media Lead
Content Creator
Co-founder
Product Designer
Illustrator
Social Media Lead
Content Creator
Co-founder
Product Designer
Illustrator
Social Media Lead
Content Creator
(Dream) Team
(Dream) Team
Sodeh Mohammadabadi
Ehsan Harouni
Mostafa Palizdar
Aria Aliakbari
Alireza Eskandari
Sodeh Mohammadabadi
Ehsan Harouni
Mostafa Palizdar
Aria Aliakbari
Alireza Eskandari
Timeline
Timeline
Dec 2023
-Present
Dec 2023
-Present
Dec 2023
-Present
A Tweet, A Spark
It all started with a tweet from Sodeh about Notion (like anyone who's used it for more than 10 minutes, right?) and soon enough, replies came flooding in.
We quickly created a Telegram group. At that time, we didn’t have a clear plan. It was mostly about chatting, sharing tips, and taking about how we each used Notion.
As we started getting to know each other, the vision slowly emerged. There was excitement in the air. we could sense there was more to do here.
It all started with a tweet from Sodeh about Notion (like anyone who's used it for more than 10 minutes, right?) and soon enough, replies came flooding in.
We quickly created a Telegram group. At that time, we didn’t have a clear plan. It was mostly about chatting, sharing tips, and taking about how we each used Notion.
As we started getting to know each other, the vision slowly emerged. There was excitement in the air. we could sense there was more to do here.
Beginning
Beginning
Identifying the Challenges
As more members joined the Telegram group, we started noticing a few things. People were facing specific challenges when it came to using Notion, particularly in a Farsi-speaking context. We were hearing the same frustrations over and over again.
It started with the right-to-left text issues. Notion wasn’t built for RTL languages like Persian. Then, there was the issue of the Persian calendar. while many Iranians were used to the Solar calendar, Notion didn’t support it. Finally, Iran’s sanctions meant that people were having trouble accessing Notion without using a VPN.
And it wasn’t just complaints. people were sharing creative workarounds, offering their own solutions, and helping each other out. That’s when we knew we had to do more.
As more members joined the Telegram group, we started noticing a few things. People were facing specific challenges when it came to using Notion, particularly in a Farsi-speaking context. We were hearing the same frustrations over and over again.
It started with the right-to-left text issues. Notion wasn’t built for RTL languages like Persian. Then, there was the issue of the Persian calendar. while many Iranians were used to the Solar calendar, Notion didn’t support it. Finally, Iran’s sanctions meant that people were having trouble accessing Notion without using a VPN.
And it wasn’t just complaints. people were sharing creative workarounds, offering their own solutions, and helping each other out. That’s when we knew we had to do more.
Shaping the Vision
Armed with this growing understanding, we began to brainstorm. Every weekly meeting now had a clear focus. We asked ourselves:
Armed with this growing understanding, we began to brainstorm. Every weekly meeting now had a clear focus. We asked ourselves:
What kind of content would help new users navigate Notion more easily?
What kind of content would help new users navigate Notion more easily?
How could we provide real, tailored solutions for businesses and teams?
How could we provide real, tailored solutions for businesses and teams?
What if we could solve the RTL issue for Persian users?
What if we could solve the RTL issue for Persian users?
We knew that while the world had plenty of Notion communities, none were tailored for our language, culture, and specific challenges.
We knew that while the world had plenty of Notion communities, none were tailored for our language, culture, and specific challenges.
Building
Building
The Foundation
With a growing sense of purpose, the five of us took the plunge. It started simply: we built a website. It was basic at first, but it became the central hub for all things Notion in Farsi. Here, users could find updates, guides, and tips curated by the community, for the community.
With a growing sense of purpose, the five of us took the plunge. It started simply: we built a website. It was basic at first, but it became the central hub for all things Notion in Farsi. Here, users could find updates, guides, and tips curated by the community, for the community.
A Bigger Voice
We expanded onto social media next, opening accounts on Twitter (or X), LinkedIn, and Instagram. These platforms gave us an even bigger voice, allowing us to engage with Farsi-speaking Notion users all over the world, share content, and build momentum.
We expanded onto social media next, opening accounts on Twitter (or X), LinkedIn, and Instagram. These platforms gave us an even bigger voice, allowing us to engage with Farsi-speaking Notion users all over the world, share content, and build momentum.
The First Taste
One of our first real breakthrough came thanks to Mostafa. Notion’s lack of a Persian calendar had been a constant pain, so he took matters into his own hands. After hours of tweaking, testing, and fine-tuning, he developed and shared a custom Persian calendar that worked within Notion. Suddenly, people could organize their lives according to their native calendar, and it was a game-changer.
One of our first real breakthrough came thanks to Mostafa. Notion’s lack of a Persian calendar had been a constant pain, so he took matters into his own hands. After hours of tweaking, testing, and fine-tuning, he developed and shared a custom Persian calendar that worked within Notion. Suddenly, people could organize their lives according to their native calendar, and it was a game-changer.
Growing
Growing
Growing
Recognition
Our website and social media presence caught the attention of online news outlets, and soon we were being featured in articles and blog posts. With that exposure came our first sponsors. another milestone that gave us the validation we needed to keep pushing forward.
Our website and social media presence caught the attention of online news outlets, and soon we were being featured in articles and blog posts. With that exposure came our first sponsors. another milestone that gave us the validation we needed to keep pushing forward.
Notion Talk is Born
Around the same time, we launched Notion Talks, a series of monthly webinars where we invited experts and community members to share their Notion setups, tips, and insights. These webinars quickly became a cornerstone of our community, attracting users who were hungry to learn from the best.
Around the same time, we launched Notion Talks, a series of monthly webinars where we invited experts and community members to share their Notion setups, tips, and insights. These webinars quickly became a cornerstone of our community, attracting users who were hungry to learn from the best.
Advocating for the Community
However, there was still more work to be done. Notion wasn’t entirely accessible in Iran due to sanctions. We realized we needed to be more than just a resource. we needed to be advocates for Persian users. We started reaching out to Notion, presenting the challenges that our community faced, and pushing for solutions.
However, there was still more work to be done. Notion wasn’t entirely accessible in Iran due to sanctions. We realized we needed to be more than just a resource. we needed to be advocates for Persian users. We started reaching out to Notion, presenting the challenges that our community faced, and pushing for solutions.
Iterating
Website Redesign
As the community grew, so did the website. We didn’t just want a place for people to read tips. we wanted it to be a full-fledged platform. Based on feedback from users, we redesigned the site. We added features like a search function, an enhanced FAQ section, and even more resources for both beginners and advanced users.
As the community grew, so did the website. We didn’t just want a place for people to read tips. we wanted it to be a full-fledged platform. Based on feedback from users, we redesigned the site. We added features like a search function, an enhanced FAQ section, and even more resources for both beginners and advanced users.
Search Function
Home Page
Multiple Forms
Offering Services
At the same time, we started offering services tailored to Notion users. These weren’t just off-the-shelf solutions; they were personalized. We held one-on-one consulting sessions to assess the specific needs of users, whether they were individuals or businesses. and helped them implement Notion in a way that made sense for them. Some wanted custom templates, others needed their entire workflow automated. We even started designing Notion-style avatars, simple illustrations that represented users in a fun, minimalist way.
At the same time, we started offering services tailored to Notion users. These weren’t just off-the-shelf solutions; they were personalized. We held one-on-one consulting sessions to assess the specific needs of users, whether they were individuals or businesses. and helped them implement Notion in a way that made sense for them. Some wanted custom templates, others needed their entire workflow automated. We even started designing Notion-style avatars, simple illustrations that represented users in a fun, minimalist way.
Now and Then
Now and Then
Where We're Now
What started as a random tweet, followed by a small group chat, has now grown into a thriving community with thousands of members. We’ve evolved from a casual group of Notion enthusiasts into a dynamic, solution-driven team, advocating for Farsi speakers all over the world. And we’re only just getting started.
What started as a random tweet, followed by a small group chat, has now grown into a thriving community with thousands of members. We’ve evolved from a casual group of Notion enthusiasts into a dynamic, solution-driven team, advocating for Farsi speakers all over the world. And we’re only just getting started.
Where We're Headed
Looking ahead, the future of our community is full of promise. We envision expanding beyond just problem-solving and content creation. Our goal is to become the go-to hub for Farsi-speaking Notion users. We're also exploring ways to bridge the gap between tech and culture, integrating more localized features that fit users’ unique needs.
Our next big step? Making Notion even more accessible, scalable, and user-centric for our community members globally.
Looking ahead, the future of our community is full of promise. We envision expanding beyond just problem-solving and content creation. Our goal is to become the go-to hub for Farsi-speaking Notion users. We're also exploring ways to bridge the gap between tech and culture, integrating more localized features that fit users’ unique needs.
Our next big step? Making Notion even more accessible, scalable, and user-centric for our community members globally.
