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[return to "Ask HN: How are you acquiring your first hundred users?"]
1. ednite+IB[view] [source] 2025-05-13 14:09:46
>>amanch+(OP)
For my SaaS, the first 100 users were almost too easy. I partnered with a company sitting on thousands of clients and offered my tool—free—to just 10% of their list. But I didn’t sell features. I asked what their clients hated most, then built a fix for that. One well-placed feature, and the doors swung open. Real users, real feedback—and we’re still building on that foundation.

Then there’s my blog. A creative sandbox, no overlap with my day job. No built-in audience. No distribution. Still waiting on subscriber #1 (Mom, seriously—now would be a good time).

Takeaways:

    Partner with someone who already has meaningful reach.

    Solve a real, hair-on-fire problem.

    Offer something free to earn early trust.

    Knock on doors, pitch relentlessly, repeat. And hope the gods of luck are listening.
As for the writing side—different beast. Slower burn, no roadmap, no shortcuts. Still wandering in the woods, but enjoying the walk. Open to ideas—and subscribers. (Mom… last chance.)
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2. diordi+1J1[view] [source] 2025-05-13 20:41:35
>>ednite+IB
i'm sorry but does this not read like chatgpt output to anyone else?

edit: I know a lot of ESL people use chatgpt now online so maybe thats an explaination

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3. thatjo+AJ1[view] [source] 2025-05-13 20:45:28
>>diordi+1J1
Yes, the "hair on fire" and "knock on doors" are signs for me.
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4. ednite+Ki2[view] [source] 2025-05-14 01:13:52
>>thatjo+AJ1
What’s wrong with saying “hair on fire” and “knocking on doors”? Granted, I’m bald—but still, the words and thoughts are mine (even if some are structured by ChatGPT). I’ll admit my blogging skills need work, but it’s an original process, and it’s a start. Thanks for the feedback.
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