Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#1

Post by _Yassine_ » Fri, Apr 17, 2020, 7:43 PM UTC

It doesn't matter if I am launching an MVP, a finished software or app, people are reluctant and skeptical even though the products deliver on the promise.

What can founders do to get their first users?

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#2

Post by edimaudo » Fri, Apr 17, 2020, 7:49 PM UTC

Well there are options. Give them an incentive like a reduced price for the first 10 people to sign up.

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#3

Post by _Yassine_ » Fri, Apr 17, 2020, 7:58 PM UTC

edimaudo wrote: post #2

Well there are options. Give them an incentive like a reduced price for the first 10 people to sign up.

any ideas on how I can pinpoint where my target audience is?

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#4

Post by _Microft » Fri, Apr 17, 2020, 8:00 PM UTC

This might be an obvious suggestion but are you familiar with Do Things that Don't Scale already? There might be a few useful things in there.

http://paulgraham.com/ds.html

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#5

Post by sharemywin » Fri, Apr 17, 2020, 8:57 PM UTC

what is your product?

Also, you may want to flip it around and look for a set of users first. Reach out to a set of business users and see what problems they have.

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#6

Post by edimaudo » Fri, Apr 17, 2020, 11:26 PM UTC

_Yassine_ wrote: post #3

edimaudo wrote: post #2

Well there are options. Give them an incentive like a reduced price for the first 10 people to sign up.

any ideas on how I can pinpoint where my target audience is?

Well that would depend on what problem you are solving.

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#7

Post by _Yassine_ » Sat, Apr 18, 2020, 10:35 AM UTC

sharemywin wrote: post #5

what is your product? Also, you may want to flip it around and look for a set of users first. Reach out to a set of business users and see what problems they have.

Hey win! do you recommend any good resources that can help get in the flow of reaching out to people and finding out about their problems and frustrations?

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#8

Post by _Yassine_ » Sat, Apr 18, 2020, 10:38 AM UTC

edimaudo wrote: post #6

_Yassine_ wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

any ideas on how I can pinpoint where my target audience is?

Well that would depend on what problem you are solving.

yep, but any helpful resources from your point of view that explain the most important principles and approaches? what people that have actually done it that you think one should follow their advice. I am new to this but I feel that there are a lot of low quality content out there by people who just talk on the internet.

Re: Ask HN: Getting first users, an impossible task?

#9

Post by _Yassine_ » Sat, Apr 18, 2020, 10:39 AM UTC

_Microft wrote: post #4

This might be an obvious suggestion but are you familiar with Do Things that Don't Scale already? There might be a few useful things in there. http://paulgraham.com/ds.html

I am new to this. Amazing stuff, thanks for sharing!