How to Get Your First 100 Users
Even if You Suck at Marketing
Launching a product is exciting, but getting your first 100 users can be a daunting task, especially if marketing isn’t your strong suit. While there are no shortcuts, the good news is that there’s a straightforward way to achieve this, even if you don’t have a marketing background. It’s all about persistence, being strategic, and using the tools at your disposal.
I have also written a book on marketing if you want to take a deep dive into marketing and know how to get long-term paying customers for your SaaS, “Marketing Strategies to Grow Your SaaS” which will cover all the necessary steps and strategies in depth to help you take your SaaS from scratch and get some real paying users.
Here’s a roadmap to getting your first 100 users.
1. Launch Everywhere
When it comes to getting your product in front of potential users, visibility is everything. Launch your product on as many platforms as possible. Think Product Hunt, DevHunt, BetaList, Peerlist, AppSumo, Indie Hackers, and Dailypings. If they let you list your product. Don’t wait for the "perfect moment." The more places you show up, the more eyes you attract. It’s all about casting a wide net.
2. Post on Socials Like Your Life Depends on It
One post won’t do the trick. You have to be consistent and relentless. Post every day, multiple times a day if you can. Use social media like a megaphone. Whether it’s Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, tweak your posts based on what resonates. Review your performance, tweak, and repeat. You need to be visible, and you need to keep showing up. Going viral isn’t easy, but the more you post, the higher your chances. Keep pushing until you hit that sweet spot.
3. Stalk Your Competitors
Take a look at your competitors. See where they’re getting traction. Where are they listed? Where are they being talked about? Submit your product to those platforms too. It’s not just about waiting for organic traffic. You need to go after the opportunities that your competitors have already capitalized on. Use tools if needed, but don’t hesitate to do it manually. The goal is to put your product out there wherever people are looking.
4. AI + SEO = Free Traffic
The good news is that SEO doesn’t have to be a mystery. And AI tools like ChatGPT can make it a lot easier. Spin up blog posts that target high-traffic keywords. 50 solid blog posts can move mountains for your product. Plus, with some strategic SEO, you can drive free traffic to your site without constantly having to pay for ads. Get your domain rating to 15+ and watch the organic growth start rolling in.
5. Run Some Ads
Don’t shy away from paid ads. Google Ads, Facebook Ads, even Bing Ads, whatever it takes to get your message in front of potential customers. Run targeted ads and optimize once, then let them run. Ads can be a great way to jump-start your growth, but it’s essential to track your ROI and ensure that the budget is spent effectively.
6. Cold DMs/Replies
Once you know where your people are hanging out, go after them. Cold DMs and replies can be highly effective if done right. But keep it short, personal, and most importantly, real. Don’t spam people with a generic pitch. Be helpful. Offer value. Introduce yourself and be genuine. A single sentence pitch is often enough. Just be clear about who you are and what your product does.
The more effort you put in, the more chances you’ll have to find your first batch of users. Once you hit 100 users, getting the next 1,000 will feel easier, but only if you stay consistent and keep iterating.
