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How to Get Your First 100 SaaS Users?

  • Writer: Rahul
    Rahul
  • Apr 2
  • 3 min read
How to get first 100 SAAS users?

Starting a SaaS business is exciting—until you realize you need actual users to make it work. The first 100 users are the hardest to get, but they’re also the most important. They’ll give you feedback, help you refine your product, and (if you’re lucky) become your biggest advocates.


So, how do you go from zero to your first loyal customers? Here’s what’s worked for me and other founders who’ve been in the trenches.


1. Tap Into Your Personal Network (Yes, Really)


Before you start cold outreach or paid ads, look around. Your first users might already be in your LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or even your family group chat (if they fit your ICP).


  • Friends & colleagues – They’ll be more forgiving of early bugs.


  • Industry contacts – Ask for feedback, not sales. People love giving opinions.


  • Former coworkers/clients – If they trusted you before, they might trust your new product.


Pro Tip: Offer free access in exchange for honest feedback. Early users who feel heard will stick around.


2. Find Your Ideal Customer (Before They Find You)


Spray-and-pray marketing doesn’t work for SaaS. You need a laser-focused Ideal Customer Profile (ICP).


  • Who has the pain point your SaaS solves?


  • Where do they hang out online?


  • What messaging will make them stop scrolling?


Tools to help:


  • Apollo.io – Find and contact potential users.


  • LinkedIn Sales Navigator – Filter by job title, industry, and company size.


  • Hunter.io – Get email addresses for cold outreach.


3. Be Everywhere (Without Being Annoying)


You don’t need a huge ad budget—just consistency.


  • Twitter/X – Threads on SaaS growth, pain points, and behind-the-scenes.


  • LinkedIn – Engage with decision-makers by commenting on their posts.


  • Reddit & Quora – Answer questions (subtly mention your solution if relevant).


  • Indie Hackers & Product Hunt – Build in public and attract early adopters.


Key Rule: Provide value first, pitch later.


4. Launch on Startup Platforms (The Right Way)


A Product Hunt launch can bring in your first 100+ users—if done well.


  • Prepare in advance – Build an email list of supporters.


  • Engage early – Comment on other launches to build credibility.


  • Leverage the snowball effect – Share your PH success on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Reddit.


Other platforms to try:


  • BetaList (for beta testers)


  • SaaS directories (like SaaSHub, Capterra)


5. Give It Away (Temporarily)


People love free stuff. Use that to your advantage.


  • Free trials (7-30 days)


  • Freemium model (basic features free, premium paid)


  • Beta access (in exchange for testimonials & feedback)


Pro Tip: Don’t give lifetime free access—set clear upgrade paths.


6. Create Content That Pulls Users In


Instead of begging for attention, build content that attracts your ideal users.


  • SEO-optimized blogs (answer common pain points)


  • Case studies (show how your SaaS solves real problems)


  • Free tools (e.g., calculators, templates—great for viral sharing)


Example: If you’re a CRM tool, create a "Cold Email Template Generator" to attract sales teams.


7. Turn Users into Advocates (Referrals Work)


Happy users = your best marketers.


  • Offer discounts for referrals (Dropbox famously grew this way).


  • Feature testimonials prominently – Social proof builds trust.


  • Create a private community (Slack/Discord) for engaged users.


8. Paid Ads (Only If You Have a Funnel)


If you have good budget, paid ads can work—but don’t expect instant ROI.


  • LinkedIn Ads (great for B2B)


  • Google Ads (target high-intent keywords)


  • Facebook/Instagram (if your audience is there)


Focus on lead capture (newsletter signups, demo requests), not direct sales.


9. Obsess Over Customer Success


Your first users will churn if onboarding sucks.


  • Interactive tutorials (Loom videos, step-by-step guides)


  • Quick support (live chat, fast email responses)


  • Feedback loops (surveys, NPS scores)


10. Engage in Niche Communities


Forums and groups are goldmines for early adopters.


  • Reddit (r/SaaS, r/Entrepreneur, niche subreddits)


  • Facebook Groups (Startup Founders, SaaS Growth)


  • Slack/Discord communities


Rule: Help first, promote second.


Final Thought: It’s a Grind (But Worth It)


Getting your first 100 users isn’t easy, but it’s the most rewarding phase. You’ll learn more from these early adopters than any fancy marketing campaign.


Which strategy will you try first? Let me know in the comments!

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