How Cardd Bootstrapped To $30k MRR With Zero Marketing 😱📈
It's 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee and @ajlkn is sat at his laptop - making responsive HTML5 themes.
He wakes up, designs things, codes things then publishes things - everyday. And he's been doing this since the since the mid 2000's.
He's bored.
He wakes up, designs things, codes things then publishes things - everyday. And he's been doing this since the since the mid 2000's.
He's bored.
@ajlkn As he's scrolling down his backlog of released templates... he notices something - download figures on his one page templates seem to be much more popular than the multi site templates?
"Strange", he thinks to himself.
"Maybe there is an opportunity here?"
"Strange", he thinks to himself.
"Maybe there is an opportunity here?"
@ajlkn Step 1: Learn Relevant skills
AJ started learning to design responsive HTML5 templates over a decade ago...
Interestingly, you can go to HTML UP! to see AJ's skillset improve with each template.
AJ built very specific skills in a high growth niche: responsive web design...
AJ started learning to design responsive HTML5 templates over a decade ago...
Interestingly, you can go to HTML UP! to see AJ's skillset improve with each template.
AJ built very specific skills in a high growth niche: responsive web design...
@ajlkn Step 2: Don't Trust Yourself - Trust Data
In his own words:
"I was looking at the download counts of those. And they were huge, like those really caught on like people apparently really liked the one-page stuff, which I had no idea. It wasn't something that I was looking for."
In his own words:
"I was looking at the download counts of those. And they were huge, like those really caught on like people apparently really liked the one-page stuff, which I had no idea. It wasn't something that I was looking for."
@ajlkn Step 3: Niche Down
AJ was never going to beat Squarespace or Wix, especially as a #bootstrapped founder.
A valid approach for a new #SaaS business entering and existing market is too win over-served customers by niching down:
AJ was never going to beat Squarespace or Wix, especially as a #bootstrapped founder.
A valid approach for a new #SaaS business entering and existing market is too win over-served customers by niching down:
@ajlkn Step 4: Compound Audiences
AJ has been providing high quality content to his audience for over 10 years... just not in the form we're used to: HTML5 templates.
He has trust and authority in the niche...
AJ has been providing high quality content to his audience for over 10 years... just not in the form we're used to: HTML5 templates.
He has trust and authority in the niche...
@ajlkn Step 5: Nail Product Hunt
AJ launches on @ProductHunt:
9 days later, Product Hunt Tweet:
Then this happens:
AJ launches on @ProductHunt:
9 days later, Product Hunt Tweet:
Then this happens:
@ajlkn @ProductHunt (While we are here, you can get one of these in your inbox each week before everyone else: saashacker.co)
@ajlkn @ProductHunt Step 6: Open Up Onboarding
It took me 145 seconds to create and publish this site:
saashacker.carrd.co
My name and email were only required once I had create my site and wanted to publish.
It took me 145 seconds to create and publish this site:
saashacker.carrd.co
My name and email were only required once I had create my site and wanted to publish.
@ajlkn @ProductHunt Step 7: User Led Growth
When determining initial plan features, AJ choose to keep the majority of functionality free... apart from 4 small features.
And two of these are of particular interest
- Ability to use custom domains
- Removal of Carrd branding
When determining initial plan features, AJ choose to keep the majority of functionality free... apart from 4 small features.
And two of these are of particular interest
- Ability to use custom domains
- Removal of Carrd branding
@ajlkn @ProductHunt And you will need to check the full post here for Bonus Step 8: saashacker.co/saas-growth
(HINT: it's mentions Steve Jobs 🤓)
(HINT: it's mentions Steve Jobs 🤓)
