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Turned a viral Reddit post (1200 upvotes) into a micro-SaaS - now stuck on user acquisition after getting permabanned
r/microsaas
7/16/2025
Content Summary
A developer created Sprout Diary, a family journaling app, after a viral Reddit post about bedtime routines with toddlers. Despite initial success and user interest, they faced a Reddit permaban for self-promotion and now struggle with user acquisition. The app offers daily prompts, family collaboration features, and screen-time conscious design. Current challenges include finding alternative marketing channels beyond Reddit, scaling user base, and preparing for price increases. Commenters suggest Facebook groups, influencer marketing, and niche advertising platforms like Mumsnet.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinions suggest alternative marketing channels like Facebook groups and influencer partnerships. There's consensus about Reddit's strict self-promotion policies requiring more subtle engagement strategies. Some debate exists between paid advertising vs organic growth approaches. Conflicting views emerge on whether to prioritize parent-focused features vs child-accessible interfaces. Most agree the product validation from initial demand justifies continued development despite acquisition challenges.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprout Diary | https://sproutdiary.com | Family/Parenting App | - Family journaling with daily prompts |
- Shared "pods" for family members
- Parental posting to avoid child screen time
- Clean interface focused on daily habits | | Popsy | [Not provided] | Marketing Platform | - Mentioned as tried but underwhelming | | Mumsnet Advertising | https://advertising.mumsnet.com | Advertising Platform | - Suggested as potential marketing channel |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Difficulty finding digital solutions for family journaling
- Need to avoid excessive screen time for children
- Challenges in maintaining consistent family routines
- Lack of simple tools for parent-child interaction tracking
Problems to Solve:
- Creating structured family bonding activities
- Documenting children's daily learning experiences
- Facilitating family collaboration in journaling
- Providing age-appropriate reflection tools
Potential Solutions:
- Digital journaling platform with parental controls
- Pre-built templates for family interactions
- Shared family spaces for collaborative recording
- Screen-free participation options for children
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Leveraging viral content validation for product development
- Starting with low pricing ($1/month) to build user base
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Reddit community engagement (before ban)
- Facebook group outreach
- Influencer partnerships on Instagram/TikTok
- Niche newsletter sponsorships
- Targeted Reddit ads
Monetization & Product:
- Planned price increase to $5/month after user growth
- Focus on habit-forming daily features
- Parent-centric interface design
User Engagement:
- Shared family "pods" for collaborative use
- Simple daily prompts to encourage consistency
- Parental posting functionality to maintain engagement