How to find your first users
First users almost never come from ads. They come from conversations, from communities where your problem already exists, and from pages they find while searching for a solution. Here is a method, in the order to apply it.
1. Describe the problem before the product
Your tagline should say in one sentence which problem you solve and for whom. “Your monthly budget without a spreadsheet” says more than “an innovative finance app”. Test it on three people from your audience: if they can’t repeat it, simplify.
2. Go where your audience already talks about the problem
Forums, groups, subreddits, Discord servers, professional communities: look for messages where people describe your problem in their own words. Reply helpfully, without a link at first, then suggest your tool when it truly answers the question.
- Write down the exact words they use: you will reuse them on your site and for SEO.
- Follow each community’s self-promotion rules.
- A helpful answer stays visible for months; an ad is forgotten the same day.
3. Publish your project where people look for new things
Launch platforms attract curious early adopters who enjoy testing. Publish a complete listing: clear tagline, screenshots, a short video, pricing and link. On produrise, your listing stays discoverable after launch, by category and by problem solved.
4. Ask for feedback, not compliments
First users are valuable because they tell you what blocks them. Ask precise questions: “What made you hesitate?”, “What did you look for and not find?”. Blind reviews (first impressions without seeing votes) give more honest answers.
5. Turn every user into a relay
A happy user talks about your tool when it’s easy: a link to share, a badge for their website, a reason to come back. Reply to every comment and publish your updates: each one is a new chance to be seen.
Avoid
- Buying votes or fake reviews: they get detected and destroy trust.
- Launching everywhere on the same day without time to answer messages.
- Waiting for the product to be “perfect”: early feedback is worth more than one more feature.