5 ms·

Ask HN: How to attract beta users for my SaaS startup

4 points by eddyT 8y ago

I have launched beta version of my agile retrospective tool. And now looking to attract beta users. What are the best practices others have used to get initial users and feedback. here is link: www.reetro.io

Etheryte 8y ago
While this might be a bit of a sour pill, I would recommend finding people who are actually interested in your idea before starting to build it. That way you can discuss what the users want and need before you even build anything, meaning you don't burn your runway only to later find out you built the wrong thing. Some good candidates are local companies that use agile — compile a list of local companies that seem relevant and go through their hiring pages, usually it's something that's covered there, if applicable. From there on you can reach out and see if they're interested in cooperating with you. The value in targeting local companies first is that you can meet face-to-face for pretty much free.
- eddyT 8y ago
  Thanks for the good advice. I have started to crate a list of local companies in Copenhagen and will start to approach them from next week.
mindcrime 8y ago
Look for relevant Meetups / user-groups in and around your area. Contact the organizers and see if you can give a quick schpiel at their meeting. Often times groups have a policy like "whoever sponsors pizza for the meeting gets 10 minutes to pitch their company" or something along those lines. Or maybe they just ask for a donation. Or maybe they let you do it for free if you ask nice. Who knows? Just get in touch and give it a try.
- eddyT 8y ago
  Thanks, I will try to find such communities here in Denmark, and see if i can get someone to agree for a little demo. This idea is also good, I can use the advertisement budget on sponsoring pizzas and can get some exposure to my product.
provlem 8y ago
Check out the list of Websites to Submit your Startup Website or App URL for Beta Users http://freelancer.usercv.com/blog/30/websites-to-submit-your-startup-website-or-app-url-for-beta-users http://freelancer.usercv.com/blog/30/websites-to-submit-your... It has extensive list where you can post and ask for reviews or feedback for your product.
- eddyT 8y ago
  Thanks, this is an excellent list

4 points by eddyT 8y ago

Etheryte 8y ago

While this might be a bit of a sour pill, I would recommend finding people who are actually interested in your idea before starting to build it. That way you can discuss what the users want and need before you even build anything, meaning you don't burn your runway only to later find out you built the wrong thing. Some good candidates are local companies that use agile — compile a list of local companies that seem relevant and go through their hiring pages, usually it's something that's covered there, if applicable. From there on you can reach out and see if they're interested in cooperating with you. The value in targeting local companies first is that you can meet face-to-face for pretty much free.

eddyT 8y ago
Thanks for the good advice. I have started to crate a list of local companies in Copenhagen and will start to approach them from next week.

mindcrime 8y ago

Look for relevant Meetups / user-groups in and around your area. Contact the organizers and see if you can give a quick schpiel at their meeting. Often times groups have a policy like "whoever sponsors pizza for the meeting gets 10 minutes to pitch their company" or something along those lines. Or maybe they just ask for a donation. Or maybe they let you do it for free if you ask nice. Who knows? Just get in touch and give it a try.

eddyT 8y ago
Thanks, I will try to find such communities here in Denmark, and see if i can get someone to agree for a little demo. This idea is also good, I can use the advertisement budget on sponsoring pizzas and can get some exposure to my product.

provlem 8y ago

Check out the list of Websites to Submit your Startup Website or App URL for Beta Users http://freelancer.usercv.com/blog/30/websites-to-submit-your-startup-website-or-app-url-for-beta-users http://freelancer.usercv.com/blog/30/websites-to-submit-your... It has extensive list where you can post and ask for reviews or feedback for your product.

eddyT 8y ago
Thanks, this is an excellent list