Going from 0 to 1,000 users is excruciatingly hard, especially for first time builders πͺ
Here's how I did it starting from scratch with Filter Coffee, and you can too...
Here's how I did it starting from scratch with Filter Coffee, and you can too...
1/
For the first week or so, I just wrote the email to myself. This helped me understand the process, polish writing, and figure out a basic layout.
It is easy to give up in these early days. This helped ensure I'll stick with the project.
For the first week or so, I just wrote the email to myself. This helped me understand the process, polish writing, and figure out a basic layout.
It is easy to give up in these early days. This helped ensure I'll stick with the project.
2/
With some confidence I forced 15 or so friends and family members to sign up for Week 2.
When others consume and judge your work, you're automatically more effective and mindful about what you write.
Subs: 15 π
With some confidence I forced 15 or so friends and family members to sign up for Week 2.
When others consume and judge your work, you're automatically more effective and mindful about what you write.
Subs: 15 π
3/
By Week 3 I had written more than 15 issues and that's when I mustered the courage to broadcast it to my entire contact list on Whatsapp π€£
Wasn't my ideal audience but it gave me some views.
288 contacts. 50 people signed up.
Subs: ~75
By Week 3 I had written more than 15 issues and that's when I mustered the courage to broadcast it to my entire contact list on Whatsapp π€£
Wasn't my ideal audience but it gave me some views.
288 contacts. 50 people signed up.
Subs: ~75
4/
Convinced that Whatsapp is effective, I shamelessly blasted groups I was part of.
Got some subs, few pushed back.
Had a professor tell me "share study material only please. No forwards." π₯±
Lesson: Pick your audience. Anticipate rejection. Not everyone wants your product.
Convinced that Whatsapp is effective, I shamelessly blasted groups I was part of.
Got some subs, few pushed back.
Had a professor tell me "share study material only please. No forwards." π₯±
Lesson: Pick your audience. Anticipate rejection. Not everyone wants your product.
5/
But sometimes even a hint of traction keeps you from stopping. I knew Whatsapp worked.
Doubled down here. Asked close friends for broadcasts. +150 subs overnight by week 4.
Until here, open rates were 5-6%. Still hadn't found THE audience.
Subs: ~225, mostly folks in Goa
But sometimes even a hint of traction keeps you from stopping. I knew Whatsapp worked.
Doubled down here. Asked close friends for broadcasts. +150 subs overnight by week 4.
Until here, open rates were 5-6%. Still hadn't found THE audience.
Subs: ~225, mostly folks in Goa
6/
Got a little active on Twitter by then. Never knew this platform was being used for things beyond "political debates" π
Clueless, I began shamelessly tweeting general "struggles" of a first-time builder. Most of it was BS, but I kept it raw. Thanks, @tejas_rd for the tip.
Got a little active on Twitter by then. Never knew this platform was being used for things beyond "political debates" π
Clueless, I began shamelessly tweeting general "struggles" of a first-time builder. Most of it was BS, but I kept it raw. Thanks, @tejas_rd for the tip.
7/
I'd tweet links to the newsletter every day and we'd get 5-6 more readers here.
People slowly began noticing.
I was consistent with the email too, so that helped build trust with total strangers.
and of course, the memes helped me stand out.
I'd tweet links to the newsletter every day and we'd get 5-6 more readers here.
People slowly began noticing.
I was consistent with the email too, so that helped build trust with total strangers.
and of course, the memes helped me stand out.
8/
By week 8 or @kunksed found the NL, which I'm guessing he shared within some of the communities he runs.
Go 50-75 subs overnight.
These were the first readers I got outside my circle, and in the "knowledge worker" community this platform fosters.
Subs: ~400
By week 8 or @kunksed found the NL, which I'm guessing he shared within some of the communities he runs.
Go 50-75 subs overnight.
These were the first readers I got outside my circle, and in the "knowledge worker" community this platform fosters.
Subs: ~400
9/
The "knowledge workers" loved the curation, and shared it with their other smart friends.
I had unknowingly found my audience.
Daily email frequency meant rate of interaction was higher. Many with large following gave shouts on Twitter, within a couple weeks we were at 700+
The "knowledge workers" loved the curation, and shared it with their other smart friends.
I had unknowingly found my audience.
Daily email frequency meant rate of interaction was higher. Many with large following gave shouts on Twitter, within a couple weeks we were at 700+
10/
One of the biggest shouts came from @anmolm_ , which brought in 150-200 subs. Thanks Anmol! π
Habitual nature of the product worked in my favor.
No matter hail or storm, it'd land in your inbox every morning. Consistency became our biggest strength.
Week 11, subs: ~900
One of the biggest shouts came from @anmolm_ , which brought in 150-200 subs. Thanks Anmol! π
Habitual nature of the product worked in my favor.
No matter hail or storm, it'd land in your inbox every morning. Consistency became our biggest strength.
Week 11, subs: ~900
11/
The word of mouth kept spiraling out from there.
On August 15, about 3 months in, we hit the first 1000 subscribers.
It was unreal.
Hard to point out a single thing that worked. But authenticity and consistency stand out, always.
The word of mouth kept spiraling out from there.
On August 15, about 3 months in, we hit the first 1000 subscribers.
It was unreal.
Hard to point out a single thing that worked. But authenticity and consistency stand out, always.
12/
Bottomline: show patience. Earn trust via consistency. Show your personality, and keep it simple. And use WhatsApp effectively early on.
My goal here is to openly share learnings, no matter how dumb, to help whoever is stuck right now. Hopefully more silly insights comingπ
Bottomline: show patience. Earn trust via consistency. Show your personality, and keep it simple. And use WhatsApp effectively early on.
My goal here is to openly share learnings, no matter how dumb, to help whoever is stuck right now. Hopefully more silly insights comingπ
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