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I raised $2.5M ten years ago. Here's what I learned after burning through it all.
r/SaaS
6/25/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhihu | https://www.zhihu.com | Social Media/Community | Chinese Quora equivalent, used for content distribution |
| https://www.wechat.com | Social Media/Messaging | Platform for content distribution and community building |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Users consumed content but became too knowledgeable and price-sensitive to purchase
- Low-frequency nature of home renovation led to poor retention
- High user acquisition costs for standalone app
- Difficulty monetizing engaged user base
- Team misalignment on business strategy
Problems to Solve:
- How to monetize a highly informed user base
- How to build sustainable revenue with low-frequency product category
- How to reduce customer acquisition costs
- How to align team on core business model
Potential Solutions:
- Focus on monetizable items (e.g., soft furnishings instead of heavy renovation)
- Stay within existing platforms (WeChat/Zhihu) to leverage platform gravity
- Prioritize revenue generation from day one
- Build strong leadership to unify strategy
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Focus on solving real customer problems rather than impressing investors
- Prioritize revenue over vanity metrics
- Align with platform gravity instead of fighting it
- Build strong leadership for decisive strategy
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Leverage existing social platforms (WeChat/Zhihu) for lower-cost acquisition
- Create high-quality content to attract users early in their journey
- Use affiliate marketing during high-traffic events (e.g., Singles Day)
Monetization & Product:
- Identify monetizable user behaviors early (e.g., decorative item purchases)
- Avoid low-frequency categories unless monetization strategy accounts for it
- Validate product-market fit before scaling
- Focus on sustainable revenue models instead of "scale first, monetize later"
User Engagement:
- Build communities on platforms where users already exist
- Create valuable content that establishes expertise
- Listen to user purchasing patterns (e.g., Singles Day spreadsheet success)