24
I recently launched my startup - and no gives a shit. Here’s what I did wrong.
r/SaaS
7/4/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SparkToro | Audience Research | Helps identify podcasts and newsletters followed by target niche | |
| Typeform | Survey Tools | Used for creating fast survey links | |
| Pulse for Reddit | Community Engagement | Helps find threads where target users are active |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Building generic products without specific audience targeting
- Launching without prior marketing or user validation
- Competing with established platforms with network effects
- Difficulty acquiring initial users for social/networking products
Problems to Solve:
- Finding quality professional connections efficiently
- Avoiding generic networking events/platforms
- Connecting with niche professional groups (e.g. female founders, NYC startup peers)
- Validating product ideas before development
Potential Solutions:
- Conduct pre-launch validation via landing pages/ads
- Focus on ultra-specific niches (e.g. 'seed-stage PMs hunting cofounders')
- Direct user interviews and demo testing
- Rewriting copy using exact pain point language from target users
- Engaging in niche communities (Slack, Reddit, meetups)
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Validate demand through waitlists/landing pages before building
- Narrow audience targeting to specific sub-groups
- Continuous marketing over time vs single launch events
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Paid ads for early validation ($50 test budgets)
- Niche community engagement (Discord, subreddits)
- Direct outreach via DMs/calls to target users
- SparkToro for audience research
Monetization & Product:
- Build paid solutions vs free networking tools
- Focus on solving specific pain points vs broad needs
- Prioritize product-market fit through user interviews
User Engagement:
- Participate in existing user communities (Slack, meetups)
- Use Pulse for Reddit to find active discussions
- Create hyper-targeted messaging using user's own words