I’m pre-revenue. Here’s the funnel I’m using to get my first 10 users.
I’m building Lime Boost, a developer tool that makes it easier to deploy software to AWS.
We’re pre-revenue, and right now my goal is simple: Get 10 developers to use Lime Boost for a real deployment.
Instead of trying to build a big marketing funnel, I’m starting with something useful.
I’m building Lime Boost Starter, an open-source application with working code for things almost every application needs, like user login and sign-up.
The idea is: Useful open-source code → Try the Starter → Deploy it to AWS with Lime Boost → Build your own application on top → Become a Lime Boost user
I’m also writing about what we’re building on places like Indie Hackers, LinkedIn, X and developer communities.
For other pre-revenue founders: what worked best for getting your first 10 real users?
That funnel is a good starting point because the Starter gives people a concrete reason to try Lime Boost instead of asking them to evaluate a pitch. For the first 10, I’d treat each deployment as a design-partner session: ask what they were trying to ship, where setup slowed them down, and what would make them use it again next week. Keep the ask to one small action (try the Starter or share one repo), then follow up only after they’ve had a chance to use it. A short, specific “I noticed X in your project; would Y help?” usually beats a broad launch announcement.
Great advice! Thank you!