Having to write a cover letter explaining why I'm a good fit for the instance.

It's not a difficult ask, but it's going to turn a vast majority of potential users away from the service.

I understand the need for it, but a typical user is going to be confused by:

• Having to "sell" yourselves to some unknown individual, or group of individuals
• Choosing an "instance", when most users have never heard of such a thing, and don't understand how a federated system operates
• For the above: Understanding different instances and which one allows cross-instance posting
• Simplicity. None of this is "simple" in terms of making a new account for a social media platform. This is unlike any mainstream platform out there.

Again, I understand the need for all this. But your average user, which Lemmy desperately needs more of if it wants to become the safe haven for Reddit refugees, is going to be incredibly frustrated and dissuaded by the whole process.