How I Got My First Users with Minimal Marketing

Day 28: My 'Minimum Viable Marketing' Experiment: How I Got First Eyes on My Product Without a Marketing Plan (or Budget)

The moment I finished building the first functional version of my tool, a wave of panic washed over me. It was live, it worked, and then...

crickets. Absolutely no one knew it existed.

I had zero marketing plan, even less expertise, and a budget that was essentially $0.

This is the terrifying reality for many solo founders. You pour your heart and soul into building something, and then you're faced with the brutal question: how do you get anyone to actually see it?

I realized I needed a way to get initial traction, to validate the idea with real users, without getting bogged down in complex marketing strategies I didn't understand. I needed something simple, repeatable, and effective, even with no budget. So, I developed my "3-Pronged MVP Marketing" approach.

My '3-Pronged MVP Marketing' Approach

This isn't about fancy funnels or paid ads. It's about getting your product in front of the right people, authentically, with minimal effort. It’s a process designed for early-stage validation.

1. Direct Outreach (The Personal Touch)

This is the most straightforward, and often the most effective, way to get your first eyes on your product. It’s about leveraging your existing network and reaching out directly to people who might genuinely benefit.

I started by identifying a handful of people in my LinkedIn network who I knew were dealing with the exact problem my tool solved. I sent them personalized messages, explaining what I built and asking if they’d be willing to take a look and give me honest feedback. No sales pitches, just a genuine request for their input.

2. Niche Community Engagement (Be Where Your People Are)

Next, I looked for online communities where my target audience hung out. This could be subreddits, Slack groups, Discord servers, or even specific forums. The key is to find communities that are active and relevant to your product.

Instead of just dropping a link, I focused on providing value first. I’d participate in discussions, answer questions related to the problem my product solved, and only then, when appropriate, mention my tool as a potential solution. It’s about being a helpful member of the community, not just a marketer.

3. Leveraging Existing Content Platforms (Content Repurposing)

If you’ve already created content around your product or the problem it solves, use it! This could be a blog post, a tweet thread, a short video, or even a GitHub README.

I took the core problem my tool addressed and wrote a concise blog post about it. Then, I shared snippets of this post on Twitter, linking back to the full article.

I also shared the article in relevant communities (following their rules, of course). This approach attracts people who are already interested in the topic.

The Results: Surprising Traction

This "Minimum Viable Marketing" approach wasn't glamorous, but it worked. The direct outreach led to my first few actual users, who provided invaluable feedback.

Engaging in niche communities brought in a steady stream of curious individuals. And repurposing my content helped establish a small, but relevant, audience.

It wasn't a flood of users, but it was real interest. It was enough to validate that I was on the right track and to gather the feedback I desperately needed to improve the product.

Your Takeaway

If you're a solo founder feeling overwhelmed by marketing, remember this: you don't need a big budget or a complex strategy to get your first users. Focus on these simple, actionable steps:

• Reach out personally: Identify a few people who would benefit and ask for their feedback.
• Join relevant communities: Be helpful, then share your solution when appropriate.
• Repurpose your content: Use existing articles, tweets, or videos to attract interested people.

These low-effort tactics are your MVP marketing. They’re designed to get you initial validation and feedback, which is the most crucial step when you're just starting out. Don't wait for the perfect marketing plan - start getting your product in front of real people, today.