From Idea to 60 Signups in 5 Days: The Whirlwind Launch of IllustraAI

Hey indie hackers! 👋

So, I launched my new AI tool, IllustraAI, on Reddit and things went a bit crazy. We're talking 150+ upvotes and 60 signups within 24 hours. Wild, right?

I'm gonna break down exactly how I did it, so you can try it too. Buckle up!

The Secret Sauce: A Killer Demo Video

First things first: I made a demo video. Not just any video, but one that would make people stop scrolling and go "Whoa, what's that?"

Here's how I cooked it up:

1. Kept it short and sweet - 30 seconds of pure awesomeness.
2. Showed IllustraAI in action - people love seeing the magic happen.
3. Share a little message about yourself in the comment section. Be authentic!

Picking the Right Subreddits

I didn't just throw my post anywhere. The one I posted on:

• r/SideProject

Why this sub? Because it allows self-promotion and meets the vibe of my product.

Crafting a Reddit Post That Slaps

Here's the secret recipe for my post:

1. Title: "I created a site to create beautiful Notion-style illustrations"
   (Clear, exciting, and a bit of a humble brag)

2. Post body: Demo video right at the top (uploaded directly to Reddit)

3. The first comment trick: I immediately dropped a comment:

   • Quick explanation of what IllustraAI does
   • Why I made it (people love a good backstory)
   • Link to try it out

Engagement: Be Like Sonic, Gotta Go Fast!

The moment I posted, I was glued to my screen. Every comment got a lightning-fast reply. It's like hosting a party - you gotta mingle!

This does two things:

1. Reddit's algorithm loves active posts.
2. People are more likely to join a lively conversation.

When Things Blow Up

As the post gained traction, I:

• Took notes on every feature request (hello, product roadmap!)
• Addressed concerns openly and honestly. No PR speak here.

Why This Worked (and Why It'll Work for You Too)

1. I knew my audience. Redditors love seeing cool projects, especially if you're a fellow maker.
2. The demo video did the heavy lifting. Show, don't tell!
3. I was genuinely excited about IllustraAI, and that enthusiasm was contagious.
4. I treated everyone like a potential co-founder. Their input was gold.

Your Turn!

Alright, I've spilled the beans. Now it's your turn to take Reddit by storm. Remember:

• Make a video that stops the scroll
• Know your subreddits
• Craft a post that sparks curiosity
• Engage like your startup depends on it (because it might!)

Oh, and if you're curious about IllustraAI, check it out at illustraai.com. I'd love to know what you think!

Now, hit me with your questions. Have you tried launching on Reddit? Any epic wins or fails? Let's chat in the comments and learn from each other.

Remember, your next big break could be just one Reddit post away. So what are you waiting for? Go make some noise!