7
What was the ONE growth move that actually worked for your product?
r/SaaS
7/10/2025
Content Summary
The post asks SaaS founders to share one unexpected growth tactic that actually worked for their product. Contributors highlight strategies like personalized cold emails (15% response rate), organic user testimonials on Twitter, Reddit posts in niche communities, listing on AppSumo (acquired 950 customers), early adoption of Bluesky tools, and Loom video demos. Key themes include the power of personalization, leveraging niche platforms, and the impact of authentic user advocacy.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream Opinions:
- Personalized outreach (cold emails, Loom videos) outperforms generic marketing
- Organic user testimonials and word-of-mouth are highly effective
- Niche platforms (Reddit, Bluesky, AppSumo) drive unexpected traction
Conflicting Views:
- Some attribute success to luck/timing (e.g., Bluesky spike), while others emphasize preparation
- Debate on LTD vs. subscription models: AppSumo users retained on LTD while new users moved to subscriptions
Other Perspectives:
- Early community engagement (PeerPush) seen as valuable for peer learning
- SEO content targeting competitor alternatives can yield long-term traffic
- Reddit's effectiveness varies by subreddit and content relevance
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loom | https://www.loom.com | Video Messaging | Personalized demos, clear communication |
| AppSumo | https://appsumo.com | Marketplace | Listing platform for SaaS deals, customer acquisition |
| PeerPush | https://peerpush.net | Community Platform | Share-to-rank system, peer engagement |
| Bluesky | https://bsky.app | Social Media | Analytics, follower management tools |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Difficulty getting responses from cold outreach
- Uncertainty about effective marketing channels
- Challenges in scaling personalized communication
- Need for authentic user testimonials
- Finding niche platforms for promotion
Problems to Solve:
- Acquiring initial users/traction
- Converting prospects into customers
- Building word-of-mouth referrals
- Identifying untapped growth opportunities
- Scaling personalized outreach efficiently
Potential Solutions:
- Personalized cold emails with genuine research
- Leveraging user testimonials and word-of-mouth
- Listing on niche directories (e.g., AppSumo)
- Creating targeted content/demos for specific communities (e.g., Reddit)
- Using video tools (e.g., Loom) for personalized demos
- Engaging in emerging platforms early (e.g., Bluesky)
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Focusing on niche platforms early (Bluesky)
- Leveraging user testimonials for social proof
- Listing on deal marketplaces (AppSumo)
- Creating targeted content for competitor keywords
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Personalized cold emails (15% response rate)
- Organic social sharing (Twitter testimonials)
- Reddit posts in niche communities
- Niche directory listings (AppSumo, PeerPush)
- Video demos (Loom) for clarity and speed
Monetization & Product:
- Transitioning from LTD to subscription models for sustainability
- Overdelivering to users to generate testimonials
- Building tools for emerging platforms (Bluesky)
- Competitor-alternative content for SEO traffic
User Engagement:
- Actively listening to customer feedback
- Engaging in community platforms (PeerPush share-to-rank)
- Encouraging organic word-of-mouth referrals
- Cross-posting content across platforms