xiry.

Marketing & Sales · Framework

A Practical Guide to Get Your First 100 Users for $0

A zero-budget marketing playbook for acquiring early SaaS users

From the Xiry library · Updated 11 October 2026

This framework outlines actionable, cost-free tactics to acquire the first 100 users for a new software product. Originally shared on r/SaaS, it breaks down early distribution into directory launches, building in public, active social listening, and high-intent SEO content. It offers a structured approach for solo founders and technical creators without marketing budgets.

The framework

Playbook to get your first 100 users without a marketing budget:

Launch everywhere, launch often: Launch on Fazier; Post on Betalist; Launch on Peerlist; Share in "Show HN" on Hacker News; Launch on Uneed; Share in "Products" on Indie Hackers; Showcase on r/SideProject; Submit to Product Hunt; Launch on Microlaunch.

Build in public on X/LinkedIn: Show what you're building with videos and screenshots; Post product updates; Ask for feedback on specific features; Share testimonials and case studies; Celebrate your wins; Follow 5-10 top accounts in your niche and engage with their posts.

Join online conversations: Scan X, LinkedIn and Reddit for relevant conversations; Track competitor mentions; Track keywords related to the problem you solve; Look for mentions of specific features; Get alerts for your product's category; Contribute meaningfully, share your product and disclose your affiliation.

Start with early-stage SEO: Write [competitor] alternative pages; Publish feature pages; Write [competitor] pricing pages; Create templates/examples galleries; Turn your FAQs into blog posts; Write [competitor] coupon/discount code pages.

What it's for

  • Plan a multi-platform distribution sequence for a new SaaS launch
  • Identify free startup directories and developer communities to submit to
  • Set up keyword tracking on social platforms to engage potential early adopters
  • Create targeted comparison and alternative pages to capture initial search traffic

Key points

  • Launch checklist covering platforms like Hacker News, Product Hunt, Uneed, Fazier, and Betalist
  • Build-in-public social strategies focusing on video updates, feedback requests, and niche networking
  • Conversation-monitoring techniques to find high-intent mentions across X, LinkedIn, and Reddit
  • Early SEO roadmap focusing on competitor alternative pages, pricing breakdowns, and template galleries

Pricing

Free

Details

Type
Framework
Category
Marketing & Sales
Topic
User Acquisition
Open source
No
Platforms
Web
For
Solo founders, indie hackers, and technical creators launching new software
Tags
saas, bootstrapping, growth, launch, marketing, indie hackers

Why it was saved

  • @natiakourdadze, 20 July 2025: Concrete launch channels and tactics an engineer can execute without a marketing budget

Related

Updated