What are the best strategies to find your first 100 users for a new productivity tool?

Question

I feel like read so many blogs, watched so many tutorials, and followed so much advice but nothing is effectively growing the SaaS start-up I work for.

I'm looking for some actionable advice on how to find and attract the first 100 users.

What tactics have worked best for you previously?

Any tips to create genuine engagement and build a strong foundation of initial users would be appreciated!

Juliette BEGUE · Accepted Answer

+1 to @walter_e_strunk's answer :)

I’ll add something:
Create a database with your network contacts.
Ask them to bring you 3 other contacts (email addresses required) and keep it going from there.

It’s best if you have a way to motivate them (maybe a free month?).
In "just" 3 steps, you'll have 130 email addresses.

Based on your unfair advantage, I'll let you figure out how many you can convert with an awesome launch email :)

Answer

Comment Deleted

Emily Grace Thompson · Answer

Ask for referrals from friends/family to find your initial users. Post on relevant forums and subreddits about your tool. Reach out to influencers in the productivity space and offer free access for a shoutout. Run some targeted social media ads. Consider doing a Product Hunt launch to get exposure. The key is going to where your target users already hang out online and getting the word out!

Answer

I'd try these tactics for the first 100 users: 1) Reach out to your personal network of friends, family, and colleagues who might find the tool useful. 2) Post about it on relevant forums, Reddit subs, and social media groups where your target audience hangs out. 3) Find where your competitors are getting users (review sites, blogs that cover them, etc) and get featured there too. 4) Consider a targeted ad campaign on social media to reach relevant folks. Focus on delivering real value to those initial users and turning them into advocates! And definitely use some AI to help generate marketing copy and assets ;)

Answer

I believe we should begin with our immediate circle, such as friends, acquaintances of friends, former colleagues, and classmates, to establish a foundational user base of around 20 individuals. By delivering exceptional service to this initial group, we can then utilize their satisfaction to generate organic product buzz, which could potentially reach an additional 40 users. This strategy can be iteratively applied to continue expanding our user base.

Echo · Answer

To get your first 100 users for a productivity tool, start by reaching out to friends, colleagues, and personal contacts. Join niche communities on Reddit or Facebook, offering value before introducing your tool. Create a sense of exclusivity by offering early access or beta invites, and use platforms like Product Hunt to attract early adopters. Collaborate with micro-influencers or bloggers to reach their audience. Share user feedback and testimonials as social proof. Lastly, consider small, targeted ads on platforms like Facebook or Google to attract specific users interested in productivity tools.

Answer

Its secret theory.

Dinda Nancy · Answer

Join online communities where your target users hang out. Share your tool, help others, and don’t just promote yourself all the time.

Cristian Stoian Urzica · Answer

For the first 100 users, I'd say to take them from your competition + some friends. Scrap your competition's social media/LinkedIn, etc... for users and then dm them. Good luck!

Malka Parveen · Answer

Set up a landing page  with an email sign up before you launch. Use social media to get people interested and capture their emails.

Ulrica Storset · Answer

I agree with @walter_e_strunk to tap into your own network first. Only problem is that they can be "to nice" and not tell the harsh truth, so you get overly positive feedback and support that don't reflect the true market. (yes, that happened to me). Read The Mom Test.

What are the best strategies to find your first 100 users for a new productivity tool?

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