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How I Discovered SaaS by Accident and Why Freelancing is a Goldmine of Ideas
r/Entrepreneur
7/21/2025
Content Summary
The author discovered SaaS by accident while working on a freelance project. They developed a Chrome extension for a client, which unexpectedly gained 250 users. The author then rebuilt the extension with a freemium model and gradually increased the subscription price, achieving 450 active users and $50 MRR. The author's second SaaS product, also from a freelance project, showed promising results. The post highlights the value of freelancing in identifying real business problems and solutions.
Opinion Analysis
The mainstream opinion is that freelancing is a valuable source of SaaS ideas, as it exposes real business problems and solutions. There is a debate about the future of Chrome extensions, with one commenter mentioning that Google is planning to retire them. Conflicting opinions exist on the calculation of MRR based on the number of users and their subscription tiers. The author's approach to starting small and increasing prices is seen as effective.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| autotok | https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/tiktok-auto-followers/jhdgfoolipineapalldbddgkafponopf?hl=fr&authuser=0 | Chrome Extension | Automates actions on TikTok, freemium model |
| whomails | https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/whomails-b2b-email-finder/jemgfambcgigiemhlmlhokhmlbdlficn?authuser=0&hl=fr | Chrome Extension | B2B email finder, freemium model |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Need for automation in business processes
- Difficulty in finding effective solutions for specific problems
Problems to Solve:
- Automating actions on platforms like TikTok
- Finding B2B email addresses efficiently
Potential Solutions:
- Developing Chrome extensions to automate tasks
- Offering freemium models to attract and retain users
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Starting small and gradually increasing prices
- Leveraging freelance work for real-world problem-solving ideas
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Using Chrome Web Store for free distribution and organic acquisition
- Building trust through extensions
Monetization & Product:
- Implementing freemium models
- Gradually increasing subscription prices based on user value perception
User Engagement:
- Creating useful tools that solve real problems
- Engaging with users through practical solutions