Ask HN: How hard it was for you to get initial traction?

Fellow HNers:

I'm sure I'm not the only one on the quest for initial traction of a new (SaaS) startup.

It's long. It's hard. It tries the patience and the sanity. But we're not alone in our quest are we? Nay, we have each other.

Tell us tales of your initial traction. What was it like? How did it feel? What did you try? What worked? What didn't? Where are you now?

Inspire us to continue. Inspire us to persevere. Inspire our dreams.