How to get Users for your startup- the best 7 responses on the internet & How 10 Startups got their first users
Discover proven strategies any startup can use to secure early users, validate ideas, fine-tune marketing, and stand out in a crowded market
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I came across this Reddit thread and was really impacted by the stress I felt coming out of the OP.
I realise for so many founders starting, the biggest wall to climb at the beginning is getting those early users.
I thought I would go through all the answers in the thread and organize the best ones.
Here we go
1. Validate Your Idea Before Launching
Before spending time and effort on broad marketing, make sure people actually want what you’re building.
Conduct interviews, send surveys, or run small tests with real users.
This helps you confirm that your tool solves a genuine problem and refines your pitch before going wide.
2. Define Your Ideal Client Profile (ICP)
Not everyone will want or need your product
Narrow down who would benefit the most—students dealing with endless PDFs, journalists scanning articles, or researchers working across multiple tabs.
Once you identify a clear target audience, it’s easier to tailor your outreach and get initial traction.
3. Start With People You Know
Your friends, classmates, work colleagues or family are often the most accessible group for initial feedback.
If you’re a student, test it among your peers and professors. If they’re excited, they’ll become early adopters and help spread the word.
This real-world feedback can guide you in improving the user experience before you try larger campaigns.
4. Identify Exactly Where Your Users Hang Out
It’s not just about who needs your product—it’s also about knowing where they spend their time (specific subreddits, LinkedIn groups, Slack communities, campus clubs, etc.).
Engage in these spaces, offer value, and show how your extension helps with their day-to-day tasks.
When you meet your audience on their turf, your pitch feels more natural and relevant.
5. Cold Outreach (But Make It Targeted)
Cold outreach can still work—especially if it’s personalized.
Don’t blast generic messages. Instead, look for individuals whose pain points match your solution. L
inkedIn groups for productivity enthusiasts or technology communities on Reddit can be good places to start, as long as you craft a genuine, concise pitch explaining exactly how your extension helps them.
6. Clarify Your Unique Value Proposition
When competing solutions already exist, potential customers need a clear reason to choose your product over others.
Whether it’s offering superior speed, an intuitive interface, or special integrations that simplify workflows, showcase your competitive edge in your marketing.
A concise, memorable tagline can also help communicate your unique value proposition and capture attention quickly.
7. Create a Short, Impactful Demo or Pitch
Sometimes people don’t “get” your product until they see it in action.
A short 15-second to 30-second demo video showing your extension summarizing an article or scrolling to a specific paragraph can be very persuasive.
Keep the demo simple, focus on the user benefit, and provide a clear call-to-action for installing the extension.
How 10 of the worlds biggest startups got their first users
I hope you found this valuable! Talks soon!
I like the flow of the post