15
From a few friends to 20+ countries - early growth of our app
r/SideProject
7/8/2025
Content Summary
The post details the organic growth journey of FeelThere, a mobile app enabling creators to stream live to multiple platforms simultaneously. Starting with friends as beta testers, the app has expanded to 20+ countries through word-of-mouth without paid advertising. Key strategies include direct outreach to live-streaming creators via email/social platforms, maintaining active social media presence, and leveraging user referrals. Commenters suggest implementing referral rewards, video testimonials, localization, and community listening tools like Pulse for Reddit to sustain growth.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinions celebrate the organic growth through creator networks and emphasize maintaining this momentum. There's consensus on:
- Word-of-mouth as validation of product-market fit
- Importance of direct creator outreach
- Value of low-cost referral systems
Controversial aspects include:
- Whether to prioritize localization early vs. maintaining core features
- Debate on optimal reward structures for referrals (badges vs. functional perks)
Notable suggestions:
- u/IssueConnect7471 advocates for aggressive referral systems with visible tracking
- Implied debate between manual outreach scalability vs automated growth tools
- Emphasis on video testimonials over text-based marketing
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FeelThere | Not mentioned | Live Streaming | Multi-platform streaming from phone |
| Mixpanel | Not mentioned | Analytics | User activation tracking |
| AppFollow | Not mentioned | App Management | Not specified |
| Pulse for Reddit | https://usepulse.ai | Community Listening | Niche subreddit discovery |
| Branch | Not mentioned | Deep Linking | Invite tracking and link management |
| Firebase Remote Config | Not mentioned | App Configuration | Dynamic feature adjustments |
| CapCut | Not mentioned | Video Editing | Auto-subtitle overlays for short videos |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Creators need a phone-only solution for multi-platform live streaming
- Difficulty building trust as a new/unknown SaaS product
- Manual outreach requires significant effort
Problems to Solve:
- Simultaneous streaming to multiple platforms (Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Twitch)
- Organic user acquisition without paid promotion
- Maintaining referral momentum and viral growth
Potential Solutions:
- In-app referral system with unique codes and rewards
- User-generated video testimonials/montages
- Localization for high-engagement markets
- Community listening through niche subreddits
- Deep linking integration for seamless sharing
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Organic word-of-mouth growth through creator networks
- Direct outreach to live-streaming creators
- Leveraging user-generated content for marketing
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Personal outreach via live stream platforms and email
- Social media presence on IG/Facebook/LinkedIn
- Niche community discovery through Pulse for Reddit
Monetization & Product:
- Focus on mobile-first multi-streaming capabilities
- Potential freemium model with reward tiers
- Prioritizing localization based on activation data
User Engagement:
- In-app referral tracking with visible counters
- Reward systems (badges/extra streaming hours)
- Video testimonials shared across social platforms
- WhatsApp integration for key markets