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I launched 3 products solo, all dead, What the hell am i missing?
r/indiehackers
7/9/2025
Content Summary
A solo developer shares frustration after launching 3 failed SaaS products despite technical competence. The post highlights struggles with user acquisition, ineffective 'build in public' approaches, and marketing challenges. Commenters emphasize the critical need for pre-validation, long-term content marketing, design partners, and shifting focus from building to selling. Key insights include the importance of audience building before product development, leveraging niche SEO strategies, and the necessity of persistent marketing efforts over technical perfection.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinions emphasize:
- Marketing/distribution being more critical than product development
- Need for pre-launch validation through design partners
- Long-term content marketing strategies (SEO, niche content)
- Importance of audience building before product creation
Controversial aspects:
- Debate about Product Hunt's effectiveness (some call it useless without VC backing)
- Conflict between 'build-first' vs 'validate-first' approaches
- Disagreement on organic vs paid marketing effectiveness
Notable perspectives:
- Some advocate for Shopify apps as low-marketing solutions
- Strong support for fake door testing/MVP validation
- Divided opinions on whether failed products should be maintained for SEO
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prodcast | Not specified | Content Creation | Design and functionality praised |
| MakerLauncher | https://makerlauncher.com | Launch Platform | Beta platform for connecting builders with launchers |
| Shopify Apps | Not specified | E-commerce | Leverages platform's organic traffic |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Difficulty finding initial users
- Lack of marketing skills/knowledge
- Post-launch silence and lack of traction
- Building products without validated demand
- Burnout from solo development
Problems to Solve:
- Effective user acquisition strategies
- Validating product-market fit before building
- Maintaining motivation through failures
- Finding distribution channels
- Balancing development with marketing
Potential Solutions:
- Focus on SEO/long-tail content marketing
- Build audience/community before product launch
- Use design partners/pre-sales validation
- Partner with marketing-focused co-founders
- Create fake door tests/landing page validation
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Building micro-niche content over years
- Cold outreach and 1:1 sales
- Shopify platform leverage for organic traffic
- Pivoting based on market feedback
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Long-tail SEO content strategy
- TikTok/Reels social media monetization
- Paid advertising amplification
- Community building around problems
Monetization & Product:
- Focus on intense pain points with 2-10x better solutions
- B2B validation with 3-5 design partners
- B2C validation with 15-20 early users
User Engagement:
- Consistent content creation as marketing
- Using product stories in documentation
- Building tools that require zero marketing