First users strategy
How to get your first real users without an audience.
Getting your first users is the hardest part of building a product—not because it is complicated, but because it requires doing things that do not scale. The tactics that work at zero look nothing like the tactics that work at ten thousand.
Start with one person who has the problem
The most effective first user is someone you already know who has the problem you are solving. A single person who can give you a detailed account of their experience is more valuable than a hundred who sign up and disappear.
- Identify three to five people who match your target user description.
- Reach out directly with a specific ask, not a general link.
- Ask them to try the product and give you one honest reaction.
Post in the places where your problem gets discussed
Your first users are not waiting for you to find them. They are already in communities, threads, and subreddits talking about the problem your product solves. Go to them before you try to bring them to you.
Join a product discovery community
Product discovery platforms like Tamkar attract people who actively look for new software to try. Unlike a cold outreach or a social media post, a product discovery listing reaches people at the moment they are looking for something new.
Make getting started frictionless
Early users are generous with their time, but only briefly. If the product requires too many steps before they see value, they leave without telling you why. Reduce everything between signing up and the first useful moment.
- Remove required fields that do not add value.
- Show the core functionality in the first minute.
- Ask for feedback immediately after the first useful action.
Common questions
How do I get my first users without an audience?
Start with people who have the problem, reach out directly, join communities where the problem is discussed, and make a small, specific ask.
How many first users does a startup need?
There is no magic number. A few engaged users who explain their experience can teach you more than many signups who never try the product.
How can Tamkar help me get first users?
Tamkar puts your product in front of founders and early adopters who are interested in trying new tools and giving focused feedback.