How do you get your first customer who is not your Mom?
I feel like this may be a super newbie question to ask. But I guess at some point it needs to live on the internet. I am a developer and long time wanapreneur. I've read many business magazines (INC, FastCompany, Young Entrepreneur) I decided recently to make the switch. Having trouble finding a new job, I started dreaming about flying in jets on Weds. and creme brulee for breakfast. And then I shipped a Chrome extension to the chrome store.
I heard all of these wonderful things about people growing and getting their 200th customer but I am struggling to pick up 3. I know it's something to do with my messaging but I have a great product, I have proof it works and I am actively maintaining it.
Things I've tried:
• I announced on Facebook to friends that I had launched a chrome extension
• I announced on Instagram that I had launched.
• I methodically replied to Youtube comments on Videos about growing accounts on Instagram
All in All over the course of a week, I've picked up 1 new customer a friend and in talks with a potential customer about the chrome extension.
The extension costs $1.99 per month (super affordable ). It does what it say's it does.
It was inspired by my need to help out my brother with his account, so I have proof that it works. But alas, I do not know how to market it.
This is the product:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/instagarden/eoifihmcbclogfdfodgaonbfiaemmokj
I know how it feels man. It feels shitty reading about other people's success when you yourself have worked so hard and sacrificed all your hours/time/social life, yet you still have nothing to show for it (yet). It ruins your self-esteem and it's super fucking demoralizing. You feel like throwing in the towel, but hell you're so far down the rabbit hole now might as well just go for broke.
That's how I feel anyway right now. I recently launched and have some users (no paying customers yet, but it's not like I'm pushing it hard... yet). For perspective, I took about 1 year before I signed up my first customer with my first SaaS product. Yeahh... I'm a laggard like that.
I'm telling you to let you know that sometimes it might take a little longer. People who say "if it's going to happen, it would have happened by now" are defeatist people you should ignore. Some things take longer for some people -- everyone is different, but we all will get there if we put in the work continuously, tirelessly, and -- most importantly --with introspection.
Know why you're working on your app. Know what's the next step. Keep doing the work, stay on track, and eventually miracles happen.
In the spirit of the coming new year, I hope that the best of this year will be the worst of next year for you. I'll be looking forward to your "got my first customer" post soon!
Much respect @simplisticallysimple. I'll chime in. With RiteKit...
But we stay at it, eight years in 100% self-funded, cash-flow positive.
I don't know the stack you used for this, but you may want to look into some front-end framework like Vue.js.
If I'm being honest, it's just an ugly UI. A pretty UI can be a huge difference when it comes to gaining customers.
It can be hard to find customers in the very beginning. In my opinion, the best way to find customers is to write about the problem you are solving, how you are solving, and what the ultimate goal is. Write well and have an online home like a blog. As you're exploring the problem, find other people who have the same problem. They will be your first customers.
That being said, I can say I would never use your product because I find the follow for follow method to be scammy. It's disingenuous to other people and it's also not helping you gain engaged followers. Sure, you might get some impressions out of it in the end, but it's way easier to get that by just posting high-quality content.
Find a problem where people are willing to pay for your solution. Be vocal, and you will find customers. If there is indeed a market for your chrome extension, then you just need to find where those people hang out and tell them about it.
Your website is down?
You need to focus on your sales pitch. Sell a story. Sell a successful story of a real customer.
I'm VERY interested in the product, but with no website and just 1 ugly screenshot, I wouldn't give it a second thought.
Drop me a line, though