website: github.com
Word-of-mouth and Open Profiles
Invite early users from your network and allow easy sharing of content to attract more users.
['- Invite early users\n- Share content links\n- Encourage sharing']
website: intercom.com
Cold email marketing
Send personalized cold emails to potential users and continuously improve based on feedback.
['- Identify potential users\n- Craft personalized emails\n- Gather and act on feedback']
website: apple.com
Presenting their first product at local events
Showcase your product at relevant local events to attract early adopters.
['- Identify local events\n- Prepare a compelling presentation\n- Engage with the audience']
website: zoom.us
Offline advertising through billboards
Use targeted offline advertising in high-traffic areas relevant to your audience.
['- Identify high-traffic locations\n- Design compelling billboards\n- Monitor and optimize campaigns']
website: facebook.com
Personally inviting early users & Word-of-mouth
Invite friends and influential groups personally to create a strong initial user base.
['- Reach out to friends and groups\n- Create a referral program\n- Leverage influential groups']
website: twitter.com
Word-of-mouth
Encourage team members and early users to share with their networks to gain traction.
['- Encourage internal use\n- Share within networks\n- Attend relevant events']
website: airbnb.com
PR
Leverage media coverage by reaching out to relevant blogs and news outlets.
['- Identify relevant media outlets\n- Craft a compelling story\n- Reach out to journalists']
website: dropbox.com
Video marketing
Create engaging explainer videos and share them on platforms frequented by your target audience.
['- Create an engaging video\n- Share on relevant platforms\n- Monitor and respond to feedback']
website: slack.com
Word-of-mouth & PR
Use initial user feedback for product improvement and leverage tech media for coverage.
['- Get feedback from early users\n- Improve the product\n- Leverage tech media for coverage']
website: tinder.com
Personally inviting new users & Word-of-mouth
Target influential groups within your audience and use events to promote sign-ups.
['- Identify influential groups\n- Host promotional events\n- Encourage sharing']
website: stripe.com
Word-of-mouth & PR
Manually onboard early users and leverage media coverage to build credibility.
['- Personally onboard users\n- Leverage media coverage\n- Automate key processes over time']
website: microsoft.com
Leap of faith and cold calling
Reach out directly to potential customers with a strong value proposition.
['- Identify key contacts\n- Craft a compelling pitch\n- Follow up persistently']
website: gumroad.com
Cold email and virality
Send valuable cold emails and design your product to encourage sharing.
['- Craft valuable cold emails\n- Design product for virality\n- Gather and act on feedback']
website: twitch.tv
Using their own product + word-of-mouth
Use your product publicly and encourage users to share their experiences.
['- Use the product publicly\n- Share user experiences\n- Encourage sharing']
website: mixpanel.com
Manual user onboarding
Personally assist early users to understand their needs and refine your product.
['- Personally assist users\n- Gather feedback\n- Refine the product']
website: instagram.com
Word of mouth
Leverage personal networks and tech communities to spread the word about your product.
['- Leverage personal networks\n- Share within tech communities\n- Monitor and engage']
website: trello.com
Presenting at a tech conference
Launch at relevant industry events to reach early adopters and gain feedback.
['- Launch at industry events\n- Gather early feedback\n- Promote through attendees']
website: wordpress.com
Tapping into an existing userbase
Reach out to users of similar or discontinued products to offer a better solution.
['- Identify similar userbases\n- Offer a better solution\n- Engage with existing communities']
website: alibaba.com
Cold calling & demoing on location
Manually onboard early users and provide on-site demonstrations to show value.
['- Manually onboard users\n- Provide on-site demonstrations\n- Gather feedback and iterate']
website: producthunt.com
Word of mouth & Newsletters
Create a valuable newsletter and convert subscribers into a community platform.
['- Create valuable newsletters\n- Convert subscribers\n- Engage community']
website: skype.com
Word of mouth & PR
Leverage personal networks and media coverage to attract initial users.
['- Leverage personal networks\n- Engage media coverage\n- Monitor user responses']
website: hotmail.com
PR & Built-in virality
Use PR to create awareness and build features that encourage users to share your product.
['- Use PR for awareness\n- Build sharing features\n- Monitor growth']
website: pinterest.com
Word of mouth
Encourage initial users to invite others and use localized promotions to spread awareness.
['- Encourage user invitations\n- Use localized promotions\n- Engage with early users']
website: whatsapp.com
Word of mouth
Leverage personal networks and encourage users to invite their contacts.
['- Leverage personal networks\n- Encourage user referrals\n- Monitor and engage']
website: reddit.com
Word of mouth
Engage with relevant communities and use internal participation to create initial content.
['- Engage with relevant communities\n- Create initial content\n- Encourage user participation']
website: amazon.com
Word of mouth
Encourage your team to promote the product within their networks to gain initial traction.
['- Encourage team promotion\n- Leverage networks\n- Monitor and optimize']
website: paypal.com
PR
Leverage media events and demonstrations to attract initial users.
['- Leverage media events\n- Demonstrate value\n- Monitor and respond']
website: salesforce.com
Inviting users within their network
Invite potential users from your network to test and provide feedback on your product.
['- Invite potential users\n- Gather detailed feedback\n- Iterate based on insights']
website: zapier.com
Looking for users on product forums
Engage with users on forums relevant to your product and offer immediate solutions.
['- Engage on relevant forums\n- Offer immediate solutions\n- Convert forum users']
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