How to Find Your First 100 Users Before Writing Code

So you’ve got a killer idea for a product, and you’re itching to dive into code. But wait—before you lose yourself in the maze of development, let’s talk about finding your first 100 users. Trust me, you’ll want to have these early adopters locked in before you write a single line of code. Why? Because they can validate your idea, give invaluable feedback, and help you pivot before it’s too late. Here’s how you can do it.

Community Engagement

Start with Niche Communities

First things first, get involved in niche communities where your potential users hang out. If you’re building a SaaS product for digital marketers, you better be active on platforms like GrowthHackers or inbound.org. Share insights, engage in discussions, and subtly mention your upcoming product. But don’t spam—contribute value first.

Example: When I was working on a SaaS product for e-commerce, I spent weeks on Shopify forums and Facebook groups. By the time I was ready to launch, I had a list of 50 interested users just from genuine conversations.

Leverage Reddit and Quora

Reddit and Quora are goldmines for finding potential users. Use Reddit’s search function to find relevant subreddits. Engage with the community by answering questions and sharing your insights. On Quora, write detailed answers that showcase your expertise.

Pro Tip: Create a Google Alert for keywords related to your industry. This will help you jump into Reddit threads and Quora questions early.

Waitlist Building

Create a Landing Page

Before you write a single line of code, set up a landing page to capture emails. Use tools like Unbounce or Carrd for this. Make sure your value proposition is crystal clear, and include a strong call-to-action (CTA) to join the waitlist.

Real Numbers: A simple landing page for one of my past projects collected 250 emails in just three weeks with minimal promotion.

Offer Incentives

Create a sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Offer exclusive early access, discounts, or special features for those who sign up for your waitlist. This not only incentivizes sign-ups but also makes your early adopters feel valued.

Content Marketing

Blog Like You Mean It

Start a blog that addresses the pain points your product aims to solve. Use SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find high-volume, low-competition keywords. Write blog posts that genuinely help your target audience.

Example: For a marketplace platform, I wrote a series of blog posts on”How to Choose the Right Marketplace Platform for Your Business” which brought in 1,000+ organic visits in the first month.

Guest Posting

Leverage the audience of established blogs in your niche. Write guest posts that link back to your waitlist landing page. This not only builds your credibility but also drives targeted traffic.

Direct Outreach

Personalized Cold Emails

Cold emailing still works if done right. Use tools like Hunter.io to find email addresses and send personalized emails. Don’t sell—educate. Share why you’re building the product and how it can solve their specific problems.

Framework:

1. Personalize the email with their name and a specific detail about their business.
2. Introduce your product and its value proposition.
3. Provide a clear CTA, like signing up for the waitlist or scheduling a call.

Network Like Your Launch Depends On It

Attend industry events, webinars, and local meetups. Talk to people, share your vision, and get them excited about your upcoming product. You’d be surprised how many partnerships and early users you can secure just by showing up and talking.

Category-Specific Tactics

SaaS

• Webinars & Workshops: Host webinars that provide value and subtly pitch your product. I once hosted a workshop on”Streamlining Workflow with Automation” that brought in 20 early adopters for a SaaS tool.

Marketplace

• Beta Access to Sellers: Get sellers on board by offering them beta access. This creates supply before demand, a critical factor for marketplace success.

D2C

• Influencer Partnerships: Partner with micro-influencers who align with your brand. Offer them free samples or commission for each sign-up they drive.

Mobile

• App Store Optimization (ASO): Even before launching, you can start building a pre-launch page on the App Store. Collect emails and offer early access.

The ‘Sell Before You Build’ Approach

The key here is to sell the vision before you have a fully-fledged product. Use all the strategies above to validate your idea and build a community. Only then should you start writing code, knowing that you have a base of eager users waiting.

Conclusion

Finding your first 100 users before you write code isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. From community engagement to content marketing and direct outreach, these strategies are battle-tested and founder-approved. Remember, building an MVP is as much about understanding your users as it is about coding.

Ready to get your MVP off the ground? At mvp.cafe, we specialize in helping founders like you validate and build MVPs that users love. Let’s ship your next big thing together.