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I am creating SaaS app and I need advice about how to grow

Hello! I am making a rich text editor with an aim on middle/long text, like scripts, articles, design-documents, books, etc. The killing features are minimalism and unique writing and formatting experience that I can't explain right now.

First I thought I'll just create base free version for demonstration purposes, and pro paid version with extended features like sync, cross-platform app, etc. But then, I found out the problems on setting up billing, legalizing business, acquiring, and prices for maintaining bank account... (I am from Russia btw, so I cannot use Stripe).

After some thinking, I came up with a new idea:

  1. Go to producthunt with an MVP, but still with many important features, like cross-platform access and cloud sync.
  2. The app is completely free, on landing page you can find roadmap, discord server link and patreon link.
  3. Firstly I'll just ask for support, but there will be patreon tiers with discord server privileges, and the most expensive tier with I'll implement your feature.
  4. Get feedback, fix bugs, implement some new features.
  5. Talk with users in discord server.
  6. Add tiers with devlog access, increased priority feature request, beta testing and only patreon features.

Is this a good strategy? Will I suffer from bad high-priority feature requests?

  1. 1

    Just curious what happened to your launch?

    • Lesson learned !!
    • After a year
  2. 1

    Hi, the first thing you should take care of is to define who are your competitors- (direct or indirect). What kind of problem you are going to solve and if this is the real problem people want to solve and pay for it. Based on that you can figure out which strategy to use. Do not focus on tech side so much, focus on real values for your users. Another thing - you’re saying soo much (in comments) about what you can’t do, need money etc - it is a bad sign for any investors)

  3. 1

    My advice would be to get it out there as quickly as possible so you can start gathering feedback. Personally, I would not expect a huge splash from Product Hunt, but rather think of it as a way to begin getting input. Ordinarily, I would argue against launching any product that had no clear and obvious revenue model (and I wouldn't really count Patreon as one). But if the legal and payment hurdles associated are that difficult, then perhaps your plan is acceptable if for no other reason than you need users and feedback as quickly as possible. Your idea of paid feature implementation is a good one given your restrictions. It's definitely possible for international customers to pay you in Russia via PayPal so you do have some recourse for payment.

    By the way, I know that Stripe Atlas is specifically off limits to Russian citizens. Have you looked into Estonian E-Residency? My limited understanding is that it grants you access to digital business services in the EU and I believe it's popular with Russian citizens.

    Have you considered reaching out to an incubator for help nurturing your idea and navigating the business side of things? For example, the бизнес-инкубатор at МГУ. Just a thought. I've spent a lot of time in Russia and the bureaucracy is dizzying so I wish you the best of luck. I'd like to think there are resources available over there to help get you access to the international markets, but it sounds like you've explored all that.

    1. 1

      Hello and thank you for your response!

      Yes, I looked at Estonian e-residensy, but it would require ~600€ to register a company, and I would need to declare 2500€ of authorised capital, which is too big money for me and my family, so I am starting as cheap as possible. My plan was to receive money from patreon and then create company in Estonia.

      Business incubator might review my application for too long, with my current speed the core might be complete in 2 weeks, and incubator would not give me money by that time. (Also I thought they are only for students, I'll definitely research that a bit more later.

      What would be clear and obvious revenue model in my case? Charging 8$ like Evernote? I am thinking about creating good product for people, and then, if and only if it is valuable for them, because I can't find that out before seeking feedback and creating community, sell paid features.

      Also, I won't publish only on product hunt, I'll go to platforms with my target audience, but do you know any general websites like product hunt?

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