Getting your first 100 users is often the hardest part of the journey. It's a mix of hustle, experimentation, and doing things that don't scale. Here are five approaches to start with.
1. Post in Niche Communities
Instead of shouting into the void on major social media, find where your target users already hang out. Is it a specific subreddit, a Slack community, a Discord server, or an online forum? Become an active member, provide value, and only mention your product when it genuinely solves a problem being discussed. Don't spam.
2. The Power of Manual Outreach
Find 50 potential users on platforms like LinkedIn, X/Twitter, or by searching for companies that fit your ideal customer profile. Send them a personal message. Not a template. Mention their work, ask a relevant question, and briefly explain how your tool could help them specifically. The goal is to start a conversation, not to make a sale.
3. Create Content That Solves a Problem
Write a blog post, create a short video, or design a simple free tool that solves a tiny but annoying problem for your target audience. For example, if you're building a project management tool, write an article titled "The 5 Best Ways to Prioritize Your Tasks When Overwhelmed." This builds authority and attracts the right people.
4. List Your Product in Directories
Directories can give a new product some early visibility and a few backlinks. Each directory has its own audience, so pick the ones that align with your product, fill out your listing completely, and make your messaging clear. It's low effort, but don't expect a single listing to carry your growth. BuildVoyage is one option: you can launch your product here and log milestones as it grows.
5. Leverage Your Personal Network (The Right Way)
Don't just ask your friends to sign up. Ask them if they know anyone in your target industry. A warm introduction like, "Hey, my friend is building a tool for marketers, and I thought of you" carries far more weight than a cold message, because it arrives with someone's trust attached.
Keep Going
Getting to 100 users takes time. Combine these approaches, track where each signup came from, and double down on the channels that bring you the most engaged users. For more on talking to the people you find, see Customer Interviews That Don't Suck.