What’s your go-to strategy for getting your first 100 users?

Question

Hien Nguyen | Sailee · Accepted Answer

@lenny_rachitsky’s newsletter breaks down seven strategies for acquiring your first 1,000 users, including (1) offline outreach, (2) online outreach, (3) inviting friends, (4) creating FOMO, (5) leveraging influencers, (6) getting press, (7) building a community. My favorites have been number three and two.

If you struggle to find people to reach out to, it may signal a lack of familiarity with your product category or industry.

I highly recommend founding members should focus on building relationships with their target audience early on to ensure they are addressing a real need (pain), collect feedback and iterate quickly.

Olinda Gray · Answer

Inviting 20 people I knew would genuinely benefit from the product. And once they loved it, they spread the word to their circles.

Violetta Chernobuk · Answer

Getting the first 100 users is all about being scrappy and personal:

1️⃣ Talk to your network: Reach out to friends, colleagues, and even old contacts who might find your product valuable. Personal invites show you care and get genuine feedback.

2️⃣ Targeted communities: Find where your audience hangs out (Reddit, Facebook groups, LinkedIn) and share your product in a helpful, non-spammy way. Solve problems, don't sell!

3️⃣ Build in public: Share your journey on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn. Transparency builds trust and draws in early adopters who love to support small teams.

4️⃣ Incentives: A small giveaway or exclusive early-bird benefits can make people excited to try your product and spread the word.

5️⃣ Customer love: Turn early users into ambassadors. Treat them like royalty, listen to their feedback, and make them feel part of the journey.

Answer

Leverage personal networks, offer early access or exclusive benefits, and gather feedback to refine the product.

Answer

Offer Freemium or free credits to try.

Ryo “ella” je · Answer

Product Hunt users are really into startups, tech, and cool new products. So, I think if you hang out in those communities or drop your product in related subreddits or Discord groups, you'll probably catch some attention. Just my two cents😆

BeckyCardenas · Answer

For me, it's all about community engagement. I’d start by joining relevant forums and social media groups where my target audience hangs out. I’d offer value first—share useful tips or insights—and gradually introduce my product or service. Word of mouth is powerful, so making sure early users have a great experience can lead to organic growth. Plus, listening to feedback from these initial users can help refine the offering.

BeckyCardenas · Answer

For me, it's all about leveraging social media and community platforms where my target audience hangs out. I'd start by creating valuable content that solves a problem or answers questions they have. Engaging with potential users directly, joining relevant groups, and participating in discussions can also help build initial traction. Offering something for free or a special launch deal is another great way to attract those first users.

ElizabethSmith · Answer

For me, it's all about leveraging social media and personal networks. I’d start by creating a buzz on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, sharing sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes content to build interest. Also, reaching out to friends and family to get their feedback and support can be really helpful. It’s important to engage with potential users directly and listen to what they have to say.

CaraMarie · Answer

For getting those first 100 users, I’d focus on building a strong community around my product. Start with social media and forums where your target audience hangs out. Offer something of real value, like free trials or exclusive content, to get people interested. Also, reaching out to influencers or small groups that align with your niche can help spread the word. Personal connections and genuine engagement are key at this stage!

AlexisNavarro · Answer

To get those first 100 users, I’d focus on creating a strong community around the product. Start with social media and forums where your target audience hangs out. Offer something valuable for free to spark interest, like a webinar or an exclusive content series. Personal outreach can also work wonders; reach out to potential users directly and ask for feedback. Word of mouth is powerful, so make sure your early users have a great experience to share!

MelissaMagana · Answer

For me, it's all about community engagement. I'd start by joining relevant online forums and groups where my target audience hangs out. I’d offer value first, not just push my product. Also, creating a referral program can be super effective. Offer something that makes people want to tell their friends. Lastly, leverage social media, but don’t just post; interact! It’s about building genuine connections.

TammyHebert · Answer

For getting those first 100 users, I’d focus on building a strong community around the product. Start with social media and forums where your target audience hangs out. Offer something of real value, like exclusive content or early access, to incentivize sign-ups. Word of mouth is powerful too, so make sure your product is good enough that people want to talk about it. Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out personally; a little human touch can go a long way!

TammyClark · Answer

For getting those first 100 users, I’d focus on building a strong community around the product. Start with friends and family to get initial feedback and support. Then, leverage social media and forums where your target audience hangs out. Offering something of real value or a unique selling point can also help attract early adopters. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of good old networking and word-of-mouth!

What’s your go-to strategy for getting your first 100 users?

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