You shipped your app. You tested it. It works.

Now you're staring at zero users and wondering how the hell you're supposed to get people to actually use the thing you built.

You're not alone. Most developers can build a solid product but have no idea how to get it in front of people. You don't have a marketing budget. You don't want to run ads. You just want real users who will actually benefit from what you made.

Here's the truth: you don't need a marketing degree or a big budget to get your first users. You need five channels, a consistent process, and the willingness to show up and talk about what you built.

This guide breaks down exactly how to get your first 100 users using LinkedIn, Reddit, Product Hunt, Indie Hackers, and Twitter. No theory. Just tactical playbooks you can execute this week.

Why Most Apps Never Get Users (And How to Avoid It)

Most apps die quietly because founders make one critical mistake: they build in silence, then expect a launch day miracle.

You spend six months coding. You tell nobody. You post "I made a thing!" on launch day. You get three upvotes and zero users.

The problem is not your app. The problem is that nobody knows who you are, why you built it, or why they should care.

The solution is simple: build in public.

Building in public means sharing your progress before you launch. It means talking about the problem you're solving, the decisions you're making, and the lessons you're learning while you build.

When you build in public:

• You create an audience that's already invested in your journey
• You validate your idea with real feedback before launch
• You build credibility and trust with potential users
• You have people waiting to try your app when it's ready

Every channel in this guide works better when you've been showing up consistently. One-off promotional posts don't convert. Consistent value-sharing does.

If you're still building, start documenting now. If you've already launched, it's not too late—start sharing your post-launch journey instead.

Now let's break down the five channels.

Channel 1: LinkedIn (Your Highest-ROI Channel for B2B Apps)

LinkedIn is the most underrated channel for getting your first users, especially if you're building anything B2B, SaaS, or productivity-related.

Why LinkedIn beats other channels:

• Higher intent users: people are in professional mode, actively thinking about work problems
• Longer content lifespan: a good LinkedIn post can generate engagement for 3-5 days vs. 30 minutes on Twitter
• Built-in credibility: your profile and work history add context that makes people trust you
• Algorithm favors creators: LinkedIn actively boosts posts from individuals over companies

The catch: LinkedIn rewards consistency. You can't post once and expect results. But if you commit to sharing 3-4 times per week for a month, you'll see traction.

The LinkedIn Playbook: Build in Public for 30 Days

Here's the exact process to get users from LinkedIn:

Week 1-2: Share your "why" and early progress

Don't lead with your product. Lead with the problem.

Post ideas:

• "I built [app] because I was frustrated with [specific problem]. Here's what I'm trying to solve..."
• "Spent the weekend building [feature]. Here's what I learned about [technical insight]."
• "Talked to 10 potential users this week. The #1 complaint about existing tools is [pain point]."

Keep it human. Share screenshots, code snippets, or simple mockups. People engage with authenticity, not polish.

Week 3: Launch announcement (with proof)

Now you've built context. People know who you are and what you're building.

Your launch post should include:

• The problem you're solving (one sentence)
• Who it's for (be specific: "founders launching on Product Hunt" not "entrepreneurs")
• What makes it different (your unique angle)
• Social proof (beta user testimonial, usage stats, anything that shows traction)
• Clear CTA with link

Example structure:

"For the past month, I've been sharing my journey building [app].

Today, it's live.

[App] helps [specific audience] solve [specific problem] by [unique approach].

10 beta users have already [specific result].

If you're struggling with [pain point], try it: [link]

What questions do you have?"

Week 4: Share results, learnings, and user stories

Your best content comes after launch:

• "We got 50 users in the first week. Here's what I learned..."
• "A user told me [specific feedback]. So we're changing [thing]."
• "Here's our week 1 dashboard. Not amazing, but here's what we're improving..."

This keeps momentum going and attracts new users who missed your launch post.

Making LinkedIn Work: Practical Tips

1. Optimize your profile for conversions

Your headline should explain what you do and who you help, not just your job title.

Bad: "Software Engineer at XYZ Corp" Good: "Building [app] to help founders get their first users | Ex-Google"

Add a featured section with a link to your app.

2. Engage before you post

Spend 10 minutes per day commenting on posts in your niche. When you provide real value in comments, people check out your profile and see your app.

3. Use the right format

LinkedIn's algorithm favors:

• Posts with line breaks and white space (easier to read)
• Native images or videos (not just links)
• Posts that spark conversation (end with a question)

4. Don't just drop links

If your post is just "Check out my app [link]", it'll flop. Tell a story, share a lesson, then naturally mention your app as the solution you built.

If you're building something that helps people create content or manage their LinkedIn presence, tools like Postiv can help you maintain consistency without burning out. It's designed for founders who need to show up regularly but don't have time to stare at a blank text box every morning.

For more on LinkedIn strategy, check out our guides on how to build a personal brand and how to write LinkedIn posts that actually get engagement.

Channel 2: Reddit (High Intent, Low Trust—Here's How to Win)

Reddit is a goldmine for early users, but it's also a minefield if you approach it like a marketer.

Redditors can smell self-promotion from a mile away. Post a lazy "I made this, check it out" and you'll get downvoted into oblivion or banned.

But if you provide value first and share your app as part of a genuine contribution, Reddit can drive hundreds of highly engaged users.

The Reddit Playbook: Value First, Promotion Second

Step 1: Find your subreddits

Start with these communities where indie builders share projects:

• r/SideProject (376k members) - specifically for sharing projects you built
• r/Entrepreneur (3.5M members) - broader business audience
• r/startups (1.5M members) - startup founders and operators
• r/IMadeThis (115k members) - show off what you built
• r/AlphaandBetausers (50k members) - designed for beta product launches

Also search for niche subreddits related to your specific problem space. Building a tool for designers? Check r/web_design, r/UI_Design, etc.

Step 2: Read the rules (seriously)

Every subreddit has posting rules in the sidebar. Some allow promotion on certain days only. Some require you to have comment karma before posting. Some ban direct links.

Violate the rules and you'll get banned. Follow them and you'll succeed.

Step 3: Contribute first

Before posting about your app, spend a week commenting and helping people in your target subreddits. Answer questions. Share insights. Be useful.

This builds karma and credibility. When you eventually share your app, people recognize your username and give you the benefit of the doubt.

Step 4: Write a valuable post (that happens to mention your app)

The best Reddit posts teach something or share a journey, with your app as a side note.

Winning formats:

"Here's what I learned" post:

• "I spent 3 months building [app]. Here are 5 mistakes I made and how I'd do it differently..."
• Include your app as context, not the main point
• End with "If anyone wants to try it, here's the link. Happy to answer questions."

"I solved [problem]" post:

• "I was frustrated that [existing tools] didn't do [thing], so I built my own solution..."
• Explain the problem in detail
• Show how you solved it (screenshots, code snippets)
• Offer to share access

"Feedback request" post:

• "I just launched [app] for [specific use case]. Would love feedback from this community..."
• Be genuinely open to criticism
• Respond to every comment

Step 5: Engage with every comment

The Reddit algorithm rewards posts with high engagement. If you reply to every comment within the first hour, your post stays at the top longer.

Be helpful, humble, and responsive. Thank people for feedback. Answer technical questions. Don't get defensive when someone criticizes your app.

Reddit Red Flags to Avoid

• Don't post the same thing to 10 subreddits in one day. Reddit tracks cross-posting and will shadowban you.
• Don't use a brand new account. Build karma first by contributing to discussions.
• Don't ignore negative feedback. Respond professionally and people will respect you more.
• Don't delete your post if it doesn't do well. Leave it up and learn from it.

Reddit is high-variance. Some posts get 2 upvotes. Some hit 500 and drive a wave of users. Test different angles and track which subreddits convert best for your specific app.

Channel 3: Product Hunt (The 24-Hour User Sprint)

Product Hunt is the most concentrated way to get users in a single day. A successful launch can bring 500-2,000 visitors and dozens of new users in 24 hours.

But it's not passive. You need to prep for at least a week and stay engaged all day on launch day.

The Product Hunt Playbook: Launch Day Strategy

Week Before Launch: Prep and Outreach

1. Create your Product Hunt account early. New accounts with no activity get less visibility. Comment on a few products the week before your launch to build a track record.

2. Prepare your assets:

   • 3-5 screenshots or demo GIFs showing key features
   • A 1-minute demo video (optional but helps conversions)
   • Tagline (under 60 characters, explain what you do and for whom)
   • Description (3-4 paragraphs: problem, solution, unique angle, CTA)
   • First comment (add context, share your story, ask for feedback)

3. Build your hunter list. Reach out to your network (LinkedIn, Twitter, email list) and let them know you're launching. Ask if they'd be willing to upvote and comment on launch day.

Don't ask for upvotes from strangers or offer incentives—Product Hunt will penalize you.

Launch Day: The First 6 Hours Are Critical

Product Hunt's algorithm heavily weights early engagement. Products that get traction in the first few hours stay at the top all day.

6am-12pm (Product Hunt runs 12:01am-11:59pm Pacific):

• Launch as early as possible (12:01am PT if you can)
• Share on LinkedIn, Twitter, Reddit, and Indie Hackers within the first hour
• Respond to every single comment on Product Hunt
• Thank people who upvote and engage
• Share updates in your first comment ("We just hit 50 upvotes! Here's what I'm learning...")

12pm-6pm:

• Keep responding to comments
• Share mid-day update on social: "We're #3 on Product Hunt right now! If you haven't checked it out yet: [link]"
• Engage with other products launching that day (genuine engagement, not reciprocal upvote farming)

6pm-12am:

• Final push on social media
• Respond to late comments
• Prepare a recap post for the next day

Day After Launch:

Share your results:

• "We launched on Product Hunt yesterday and got [X upvotes, Y users, Z feedback]. Here's what I learned..."

This often drives a second wave of traffic from people who missed launch day.

Product Hunt Best Practices

• Launch on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Avoid Fridays (less traffic) and Mondays (more competition).
• Have a working product. "Coming soon" pages get downvoted. Ship something people can actually use.
• Offer a launch-day deal. Many successful launches include a discount code or free upgrade for Product Hunt users.
• Don't buy upvotes or use bots. Product Hunt detects this and will bury your launch.

Product Hunt works best when combined with other channels. If you've been building in public on LinkedIn, your Product Hunt launch becomes an event your audience is already waiting for. For more on coordinating launches, see our guide on using LinkedIn for your Product Hunt launch.

Channel 4: Indie Hackers (The Long Game for Bootstrappers)

Indie Hackers is a community of 200k+ founders, developers, and bootstrappers. It's slower than Product Hunt but higher quality—users here are serious about tools that solve real problems.

The key: Indie Hackers rewards transparency and depth. You can't fake it.

The Indie Hackers Playbook: Milestones and Community

Strategy 1: Post milestones

Indie Hackers has a dedicated milestones section where you can share progress updates.

Post when you:

• Get your first paying customer
• Hit $100 MRR, $1k MRR, $10k MRR
• Reach 100 users, 1,000 users, etc.
• Launch a major feature
• Learn something valuable

Each milestone post should include:

• The metric (revenue, users, whatever you're celebrating)
• How you got there (specific tactics, not vague advice)
• What you're doing next
• A link to your app

People follow your journey and convert into users over time.

Strategy 2: Start a company log

Create a dedicated page for your startup and post weekly or bi-weekly updates. This builds a chronological story of your progress.

What to include in each log entry:

• Metrics update (users, revenue, engagement)
• What you shipped
• What you learned
• What you're struggling with
• What's next

The struggling part is important. Indie Hackers users respect honesty. If you only post wins, it feels like marketing.

Strategy 3: Engage in the forum

The Indie Hackers forum is where the real value is. Post questions, answer questions, share insights.

High-value forum posts:

• "Here's how I got my first 10 customers for [app]..."
• "I spent $X on ads and got Y customers. Here's the breakdown..."
• "What's your biggest challenge with [problem your app solves]?" (research post that leads to natural product mention)

Always include context about your journey. Your profile should link to your app, so engaged readers will naturally check it out.

Why Indie Hackers Is a Long Game

You won't get 500 users overnight from Indie Hackers. But you'll get 5-10 highly engaged users who become advocates, give detailed feedback, and stick around.

It's a quality-over-quantity channel. Treat it like a community, not a marketing platform, and it pays off over months.

Channel 5: Twitter/X (The Builder Community)

Twitter is where developers and founders hang out, share progress, and discover new tools.

It's also the noisiest channel. Your tweet has a 30-minute lifespan before it's buried. But if you show up consistently, Twitter builds momentum over time.

The Twitter Playbook: Daily Sharing and Engagement

Build in public with daily updates

The most successful founders on Twitter share small wins and lessons every day.

Tweet formats that work:

Progress updates:

• "Day 14 of building [app]: just shipped [feature]. Learning that [insight]."
• Include a screenshot or short video

Lessons learned:

• "Built [feature] three different ways before realizing [simple solution]. Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one."

Metrics and milestones:

• "We hit 50 users this week. Not huge, but here's what's working: [list]."

Founder struggles:

• "Spent 4 hours debugging [thing] just to realize I had a typo. Humbling."

The key is consistency. One tweet won't move the needle. 30 days of daily tweets builds an audience.

Tactics to Grow Faster on Twitter

1. Engage before you tweet

Spend 15 minutes per day replying to tweets from other founders in your space. Thoughtful replies get you noticed by their audience.

2. Use threads for depth

When you have something valuable to share, break it into a thread:

"5 things I learned getting my first 100 users:

1. [Lesson with context]
2. [Lesson with context] ..."

End with a CTA: "If you're working on [problem], I built [app] to help: [link]"

3. Pin your launch tweet

Keep your best-performing tweet about your app pinned to your profile. When people discover you through replies, they'll see it immediately.

4. Cross-promote your content

If you're posting on LinkedIn or writing on Indie Hackers, tweet about it:

"Just shared my Product Hunt launch playbook on LinkedIn. Here's the short version: [3 quick tips]. Full post: [link]"

5. Join founder communities

Twitter Spaces, group chats, and hashtags like #buildinpublic and #indiehackers connect you with other founders who can amplify your launch.

Don't Sleep on Twitter Ads (If You Have $50)

While this guide focuses on free channels, Twitter ads are worth mentioning because they're cheap and targetable.

For $50, you can promote your launch tweet to people who follow accounts in your niche. It's the lowest-cost paid channel for testing messaging and driving early users.

How to Combine These Channels for Maximum Impact

The magic happens when you use all five channels together.

Here's a realistic 30-day plan to get your first 100 users:

Week 1: Build momentum on LinkedIn and Twitter

• Post 3x on LinkedIn about your progress
• Tweet daily about what you're building
• Engage in Reddit communities (no promotion yet)

Week 2: Continue sharing, add Indie Hackers

• Post 3x on LinkedIn (share a lesson, a feature, a user conversation)
• Tweet daily
• Post your first milestone on Indie Hackers
• Start a company log

Week 3: Soft launch + Product Hunt prep

• LinkedIn: "We're launching next week. Here's what to expect..."
• Tweet: "Launching [app] on Product Hunt on [date]. What questions should I answer in our launch post?"
• DM past users, friends, colleagues: "We're launching on PH soon, would love your support"
• Prep Product Hunt assets

Week 4: Launch everywhere

• Monday: Post on Reddit (r/SideProject, relevant niche subreddit)
• Tuesday: Launch on Product Hunt
• Tuesday-Thursday: Share Product Hunt link on LinkedIn, Twitter, Indie Hackers
• Friday: Post recap on all channels ("We launched on Product Hunt, got X users, here's what happened...")

Post-launch: Keep showing up

The biggest mistake is disappearing after launch week. Keep posting:

• User stories and testimonials
• Feature updates
• Metrics and milestones
• Lessons learned

This is how you go from 100 users to 1,000.

If you're building a B2B or SaaS product and LinkedIn is your primary channel, maintaining a consistent posting schedule is critical. Many founders use tools like Postiv to plan and schedule content in advance so they don't have to start from scratch every day.

For more strategic advice on early traction, see our guides on how to get your first users for SaaS and how to get customers for your startup.

Traction Metrics: What to Track

You're posting on five channels. How do you know what's working?

Track these metrics weekly:

Most important metric: activated users, not just sign-ups.

A user who signs up but never completes onboarding is worthless. A user who signs up and takes the first meaningful action in your app is 10x more valuable.

Focus on channels that drive activated users, even if they send less total traffic.

When to Double Down vs. Move On

After 30 days, you'll have data. Some channels will work. Some won't.

Double down when:

• You're getting consistent engagement (replies, comments, DMs)
• Users from that channel are activating at a high rate
• You enjoy the format and can sustain it long-term

Move on when:

• You've posted consistently for 30 days with zero traction
• Users from that channel sign up but never activate
• The time investment doesn't match the return

It's okay to go all-in on one or two channels. You don't need to be everywhere. You need to be where your users are.

The Bottom Line

You don't need a marketing budget to get your first users. You need a plan, consistency, and the willingness to show up.

Here's the simplest possible playbook:

1. Pick two channels where your audience hangs out (LinkedIn + Product Hunt for B2B, Reddit + Twitter for dev tools, etc.)
2. Build in public for 30 days. Share progress, lessons, struggles. Create context before you ask for anything.
3. Launch everywhere on the same week. Coordinate Reddit, Product Hunt, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Indie Hackers for maximum momentum.
4. Keep showing up post-launch. Share results, user stories, and updates. Most users come from week 2-8, not week 1.
5. Track what converts. Focus on activated users, not vanity metrics.

If you're a developer or founder who knows how to build but struggles with marketing, check out our guide on vibe coding and marketing and our tactical playbook on how to market your app.

The hardest part is starting. Pick one channel. Post today. You'll be surprised how fast momentum builds when you just show up consistently.

Now go get your first users.