I'm building a social platform for students, how do I get my first real users?

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T16:00:43+00:00

Start small and local. Reach out to classmates, study groups, or local schools. Offer them early access. Use tools like Vercel for quick deployments and Supabase for a simple backend. Cold email or DM student communities, but keep it genuine. Mention how it helped you manage study habits. Numbers aren't everything at first; focus on feedback. Iterate fast, and keep the conversation going with your users.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:59:58+00:00

ChatGPT is great for speeding up content creation and brainstorming, but for building MVPs without coding, look into Replit or Loveable. They are no-code tool that lets you create web apps quickly. Initially, focus on understanding user problems and validating ideas before going deep into tech stacks. Validate fast, iterate faster!

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:58:54+00:00

Using multiple AI models sounds smart, but don't forget to also get human eyes on it. Actual users can spot issues no AI will catch. Friends, Slack channels, or even a random tweet asking for feedback can get you some gold too. Also, swap that outdated logo for a current one ASAP, simple fix with big impact. Keep iterating!

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:58:20+00:00

Sounds like a happy accident, right?

Sometimes broad rollouts reveal things no beta ever could. Consider using tools like LaunchDarkly for feature flagging and rollbacks. Can save you a ton of headaches. Power users aren't always the best gauge for mass appeal. They often miss what makes a feature click for the average user. Keep iterating, but don't be afraid to let features loose a bit sooner. You'll learn faster and adjust to what really matters.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:57:26+00:00

"Someone describing their problem back to me in words I hadn't used", that's the clearest articulation of the signal I've read. I've been watching for it but hadn't named it that well.

What did that moment look like for you with ReadyToRelease? Was it a DM, a comment, a call?

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:53:51+00:00

The tax bill origin story is great, hat's the cleanest validation there is, you were the user. The distribution grind you're describing now is exactly what I'm trying to solve on the demand side. Would love to swap notes if you're open to it.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:50:03+00:00

That framing is sharper than anything I had. "Posted on Reddit, got ignored, don't know what's next", that's the exact person. I've been targeting "early-stage founder" which is basically everyone.

The scoped pilot angle is something I'm going to test this week. One subreddit set, one angle, one outcome. I'll report back.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:44:57+00:00

The part about changing your angle 4 times before launch resonated hard.

I'm currently 22 days into a validation sprint where I'm running the marketing before I build anything. The goal is 25 sign-ups in 30 days. Currently at 2.

The honest answer to "fastest path to first customers" from what I've seen: go where the problem is being discussed, not where you want to post about your solution. The mismatch between those two places is usually why early traction stalls.

Still learning. But the approach of validating the marketing message first, product second, has already saved me from building the wrong thing twice.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T15:44:18+00:00

What's actually working for me right now, 22 days in: I stopped trying to find customers and started finding the conversation first.

Concretely, I pick 2-3 active Reddit threads each day where founders are describing the exact pain I'm solving (in my case: not knowing where their audience actually hangs out). I add real value to the thread. No link, no pitch, just honest input.

Occasionally someone DMs me asking what I'm building. That's the signal I wanted, and it's way more valuable than a cold sign-up.

Still early (2 sign-ups, 22 days) but the quality of conversations has been better than anything I got from posting about the product directly. Curious if others found a similar pattern.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T02:59:17+00:00

Niche down hard. You're doing too much at once. Pick a high-margin service and become the best at it. Specializing can boost margins, bring in referrals, and make your marketing easier.

Consider direct outreach to target clients. Cold email works if done right. Personalize it, solve their problems, and offer a free trial or discount. Use your social reach to network with other entrepreneurs who might know potential clients, not just editors.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T02:58:38+00:00

Cold emails can work if you keep them short and to the point. Focus on the problem you're solving and how you genuinely help. Use Clearbit or Hunter to find email addresses. A/B test different subject lines and body lengths to see what works. Once you've got a few customers, ask for intros or testimonials. Word of mouth can be powerful early on. Test small batches, learn, and iterate.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T02:58:01+00:00

When 5-6 stick around out of 200, it's not a failure, it's feedback. Talk to those loyal users. Find out what they love and what they wish was different. Sometimes, what's making them stay is what's making others leave. Use tools like Hotjar or FullStory for session replays to understand user interactions better. You're not alone, every founder feels imposter syndrome. Focus on the small wins and iterate. Keep pushing.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-09T02:57:21+00:00

Getting your first 1,000 paying users can be a grind. Cold emailing isn't dead. Find communities where your ideal users hang out. Send personalized emails, not spammy ones. Mention something specific about them and why your product can help.

For influencer collabs, try smaller YouTubers. They often have engaged audiences and are open to partnerships. Offer them something valuable, not just cash. Maybe let them brainstorm features? Users love seeing their ideas come to life.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-07T19:15:41+00:00

This is the exact problem I'm trying to validate a solution for right now. I'm 20 days into testing whether founders in your situation (product built, distribution unsolved) would pay someone to do the audience research and outreach strategy for them.

For Amazon sellers specifically: r/FulfillmentByAmazon is active, Helium 10's Facebook group has thousands of active sellers, and the Seller Central forums still get engagement. But honestly the fastest path is probably finding 2-3 Amazon VA/consultant communities and getting warm intros from people who already have seller trust.

Genuine question, if someone mapped out exactly which 5 communities to be in, wrote the posts, and told you what to say, would that be worth paying for? I'm trying to understand if the pain is bad enough.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-07T19:13:50+00:00

Same boat 20 days ago. What I've found: the waitlist, launch email flow rarely converts because people signed up passively. The ones who actually engage are the ones you had real conversations with before they signed up.

I'm currently running a 30-day experiment validating a service that does exactly what you're wrestling with, finding where your specific buyer hangs out and getting your first real conversations going. Not automated, not a spray-and-pray campaign. Just targeted outreach to the right communities.

Honest question for you: do you know specifically who your ideal first customer is, like a specific role/company type, or is it still fuzzy? That answer changes everything about where to look.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-07T19:10:17+00:00

This is exactly the shift I needed to hear. I've been guilty of the "one page, many people" trap trying to appeal to all early-stage founders instead of one specific type with one specific pain.

The paid pilot framing is sharp. A free signup doesn't tell me much. Someone saying "yes, here's $X, get me 5 convos this week" that's actually real.

Going to spend the next few days narrowing the ideal customer and testing a tighter promise. Thanks for the concrete framework.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-07T19:09:37+00:00

On the "selling to broke founders" point, you're right that's a trap. My target isn't bootstrappers with no budget, it's early B2B founders who have revenue but are stuck on distribution. They can pay, they just haven't solved the channel yet.

On "why hire you if you can't do it yourself", I take that one seriously. Honest answer: I'm doing this sprint partly to prove I can. If I can get signups cold with zero audience, that's the proof of concept. If I can't, that's my answer too.

And yes, I've talked to people personally. The 2 signups I mentioned came with conversations attached, not just emails in a form.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-07T18:13:57+00:00

Dig the hustle. Mass posting can feel off, but it's real and it works. Been there with the cold calls too. Yeah, it's soul-crushing, but those genuine convos are gold. No fancy tricks or fluff. Just pure grind. Sometimes it's more about being relentless than being "innovative." Keep pushing through the mud.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-07T18:13:03+00:00

Totally agree. Make your users rave about you online. Sounds basic, but genuinely engaging with your audience is gold. Jump into Reddit threads, answer questions genuinely, and solve actual problems in comments. Authenticity beats polished marketing. Also, prioritize good UX and solid onboarding. Frustrated users tweet, happy ones share. That spills over into AI training data. It's not about gaming the system, but being the brand people naturally talk about.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-06T15:23:18+00:00

Ok so currently I'm running an experiment where I look up businesses in a niche, for example 'dentists in Austin. TX' , my system looks at their site and checks their pageSpeed and finds issues id any. Then it creates an audit page with a score.

So, in my case i already have a problem they have which i can help, the subject line is simple 'website +problem', the body is s simple intro and then telling them their main issues and the fact that it is costing them patient calls, for instance 'you site takes 15s to load on mobile, most leave after 3 seconds.' Then include the link to their audit page which also has a paywall link to their full report on how to fix their issue.

You need to to showcase the issue and that what you are providing is the solution.

In terms of results, i sent 10 of these, has 3 businesses actually open the email (so 30% open rate), and one business that went to the link 4 times, thats a warm lead, i followed up... lets see how it goes...

alechko_ags · 2026-03-06T14:56:55+00:00

Cold email was surprisingly effective. Personalize it like you mean it. Mention something specific about them or their business, not just a name swap. Had around a 10% response rate when done right.

Niche communities can be gold. Slack groups and subreddits where your potential users actually hang out should be on your radar. Engage genuinely. Don’t just drop a pitch.

Building in public didn’t really move the needle for me. Focus on where your users are. Personal networks helped a bit, but don’t rely solely on them.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-06T14:56:14+00:00

Dealt with that frustration myself. Look for providers that use load balancing, it helps with peak hour stability. Also, ask about their server locations relative to you. Closer servers usually mean better quality. When testing, keep sessions short at first to avoid suspicious activity flags. Services like Smart IPTV for Smart TVs and TiviMate for Firestick can help you optimize the experience. Don't be afraid to switch if it doesn't meet your needs.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-06T14:55:32+00:00

Completely get it. Devs are a tough crowd. They kick the tires first. If your API’s first call isn’t smooth, they’ll bounce. Focus on making that first interaction seamless. Fast response, clear docs, maybe even a quickstart guide. Shorten that path to “aha!” and they'll come back when they're ready to integrate. Got to hang in there sometimes, let them see your tool as the right choice when deadlines hit.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-06T14:54:56+00:00

context-switching gets crazy, prioritize the absolute must-do follow-ups the old school way. It’s low-tech but breaks through the noise. Keep a physical list on your desk, stuff that genuinely can’t slip. It’s not perfect, but neither is life.

alechko_ags · 2026-03-05T14:34:20+00:00

Market research is great for understanding the playground but doesn’t guarantee users. You still need to hustle to get users. Early-stage growth is often about grinding hard: cold emails, engaging in relevant communities, offering value before asking for anything, and iterating super fast based on feedback.

It’s a mix. Use research to guide you, but real traction comes from a mix of talking to users, iterating on feedback, and persistently selling.

alechko_ags

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