Home/r/indiehackers/2025-07-31/#how-to-overcome-no-one-cares-about-your-startup-phase
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How did you overcome the “no one cares about your startup” phase?

r/indiehackers
7/31/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the challenges of gaining initial traction for a startup, particularly in the health and social impact space. Users share experiences about struggling to find interested users and the frustration of feeling like they're 'shouting into the void.' The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, direct outreach, and refining messaging. Many suggest focusing on solving real problems, testing with external users, and using long-form content to build trust. Some emphasize the need to understand the market better and not build without validating the problem first.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinions in the discussion revolve around the importance of validating the product-market fit before scaling, engaging with the right communities, and being persistent. Many users agree that early-stage struggles are common and part of the process. However, there are some conflicting views: some believe that building without validation is risky, while others argue that it's necessary to learn from failures. Additionally, some users emphasize the power of long-form content, while others focus more on direct outreach and community engagement. Overall, the conversation reflects a mix of practical advice, frustration, and encouragement for perseverance.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Bubblaihttps://bubblai.com/AI-powered productivity toolNot explicitly mentioned in the post, but referenced by a user as their product

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in acquiring the first real users
  • Feeling like they're shouting into the void
  • Struggling to validate if their product solves a real problem
  • Challenges in finding and engaging with potential customers

Problems to Solve:

  • Building a product that people actually want
  • Overcoming the early-stage lack of interest
  • Improving messaging and positioning to resonate with the target audience
  • Identifying and connecting with the right community or users

Potential Solutions:

  • Engaging with communities related to the product's niche (e.g., health and social impact)
  • Creating long-form, sincere content to build trust and visibility
  • Testing MVPs with external users to gather feedback
  • Focusing on direct outreach and presenting solutions to potential clients
  • Refining messaging based on feedback and user behavior

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Engaging with the target community and participating in relevant discussions
  • Iterating based on user feedback and refining the product or messaging
  • Focusing on building genuine relationships with early adopters
  • Using long-form content to establish authority and attract attention

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Posting on platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and Facebook Groups
  • Direct outreach to people who have expressed similar problems online
  • Leveraging organic traffic through consistent content creation
  • Building a presence in niche communities

Monetization & Product:

  • Emphasizing product-market fit and ensuring the solution addresses a real need
  • Testing the product with external users to identify unintended use cases
  • Focusing on clear value propositions and messaging that resonates with the target audience

User Engagement:

  • Actively listening to user feedback and iterating on the product
  • Building a sense of community around the product
  • Encouraging early adopters to become advocates for the product