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Show HN: How you got your first 10 users for your product?

6 points by ujjwal524 ↗ HN
We are all building some kind of product or business and gaining the initial set of users can be a difficult task.

They are not only the users, but they play a very big role as they believed in your product, they should provide the non-biased review about your product and that will define how you'll shape your product.

So, I would be grateful if you can share the process of getting your initial set of users.

By this, we'll learn from each other's experience, we'll appreciate each other's effort and help out the maker who need help with their initial set of users.

Comment below the strategies

If you want to discuss with me, then you can connect with me through Twitter: @ujjwal_sukheja

5 comments

[ 0.21 ms ] story [ 23.3 ms ] thread
smackeyacky
The product I make is a very specialised system in the agriculture industry. The first 10 customers were a mix of old clients from a previous job and new clients who read about the product from an ag news source. I had to rely heavily on my personal reputation in the early days but that has become less important now. I also hired a sales coach to help me (technical background) break through my limitations in closing deals. One interesting thing was the original direct sales model was terrible, drove 45,000km that year around my country doing delivery and training to ensure those customers had the best chance of success. Sold some gear to a customer who rents the equipment out and all the subsequent growth came from that model.

Those first customers didn't turn out to be as critical as I thought, the real change came from finding a scalable business model. There was no way I could have continued what I did that first year.

dualthro
Do you have a blog about this anywhere? I'd love to read the story in more detail.
smackeyacky
No I probably should write it down before I forget though.
segmondy
YC offer's startup school. I recommend you join it.
alek_m
One way that really worked for us in the beginnings was through participating to a local startup weekend or an event of that nature. This is a slightly less traditional approach, but one you should definitely take to your advantage. I’ve been a participant myself and now, as an organizer, I’ve seen many ides fully blossom and set sale to becoming a full-blown business.

You will find people you could bring on in your team, develop the idea further and have the chance to present it in front of established entrepreneurs who could fund it, or help you find someone who can.