Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#1

Post by jasonlingx » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 7:28 AM UTC

http://cansend.com/

I've tried posting a Show HN - got 5 points, 1 new user, some feedback on my site's lack of info.

I've submitted it to the mailchimp integrations directory - got listed but no new users.

I've tried pitching it to startup people I know, website owners - I've tried pitching it at startup meetups, events - people think it's a cool idea but no one to actually try it yet.

I've also tried posting to programming groups, forum software groups...

Would be grateful for any good ideas

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#2

Post by pizza » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 8:31 AM UTC

Here's some armchair advice: focus on e-mail and hunt for website owners that send out newsletters. Make sure to tell them exactly why what you're offering is better than what they already have.

Some organizational advice: have less stuff on the landing page. Keep the what and the why, but have the how elsewhere. And there's a lot of wasted real estate with that grey box; try to use it to pitch.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#3

Post by jmathai » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 9:08 AM UTC

There's a lot of text on your home page. A clear synopsis would help convert users that show up. Do you know if people visit but don't sign up or are they not visiting at all?

I agree with `pizza` though, target specific website owners and see if they'd be willing/interested in using your service. You really have to know what the value proposition is though, which is a good practice anyways.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#4

Post by impostervt » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 11:56 AM UTC

It actually seems like a VERY useful tool for forum-type sites. Who else would use it? Maybe focus on some specific markets, and reach out directly to owners of those sites.

The site does look unfinished without any images.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#5

Post by jasonlingx » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 1:14 PM UTC

impostervt wrote: post #4

It actually seems like a VERY useful tool for forum-type sites. Who else would use it? Maybe focus on some specific markets, and reach out directly to owners of those sites. The site does look unfinished without any images.

Yes it was built for a forum site I ran. But any kind of site that generates more than 1 page a day would benefit from automated newsletters. Any site that generates more than around 10 pages or so a day would benefit from automated social sharing.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#6

Post by tstegart » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 1:50 PM UTC

Clickable: http://cansend.com/

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#7

Post by tstegart » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 1:53 PM UTC

jmathai wrote: post #3

There's a lot of text on your home page. A clear synopsis would help convert users that show up. Do you know if people visit but don't sign up or are they not visiting at all? I agree with `pizza` though, target specific website owners and see if they'd be willing/interested in using your service. You really have to know what the value proposition is though, which is a good practice anyways.

I second the above. The current text "Intelligent fully automated email newsletters and social media sharing for your website" is pretty useless. Tell a business owner how it will save them time or money and how its better than what you suspect they use.

You might want to do a search for "landing page copy" in an effort to increase your sign-ups.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#8

Post by rdubb » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 3:04 PM UTC

As a first impression from viewing the site, I didn't understand what it was offering. It mentions social sharing, but it wasn't until I read over the copy a few times that I actually understood that your service will takes new content from a website and post links to that content on social media sites and newsletters. I agree with what other people are saying, try to make it clearer what you're offering.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#9

Post by barakstout » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 11:18 PM UTC

Try to show it to as many people as you can. Post some youtube videos on how-to. Use every web 2.0 network you can to try to get more people to your door step.

Re: Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

#10

Post by byjess » Tue, Jul 24, 2012, 11:30 PM UTC

changing news letter providers is a high hurdle for people. The fact that it is "free" doesn't matter, since its such a pain to setup and run campaigns.

I would buy google ads on newsletter related keywords so you know you are getting people looking for a solution to try.

Also your copy is bad and your proposition is unclear.