How to Get Your First Users for a SaaS (A Simple, Proven Approach)

Getting your first users is the hardest part of building a SaaS.

Not because your product is bad, but because nobody knows it exists yet. Early traction does not come from launches, ads, or viral tricks. It comes from putting your product in front of people who already feel the problem.

This guide shows how founders actually get their first SaaS users without a big audience or budget.

Start With People Who Already Have the Problem

The biggest mistake founders make is trying to convince people they need a product.

Your first users should already be:

• Actively searching for a solution

• Complaining about existing tools

• Using workarounds like spreadsheets or manual processes

• Asking for recommendations

You are not creating demand. You are locating it.

Reddit Is One of the Best Places to Find Early Users

Reddit is where people talk honestly about their problems.

Every day, users post:

• “Is there a tool that can do X?”

• “What software should I use for Y?”

• “I tried Z and it did not work”

These users are not browsing. They are evaluating options.

The challenge is finding the right posts consistently without wasting hours searching.

That is why founders use reddix to monitor Reddit for keywords related to their SaaS and surface high-intent conversations in real time.

The First User Acquisition Loop

A simple loop that works for early-stage SaaS founders:

1. List keywords tied to your core problem

2. Track those keywords on Reddit

3. Read the full post and comments

4. Respond with a helpful and specific answer

5. Invite the user to try your product only if it fits

This approach works because it is helpful first and promotional second.

Using reddix removes the guesswork and lets you focus on conversations that actually convert.

Talk Like a Human, Not a Marketer

Early users are allergic to pitches.

What does not work:

• Dropping a link with no context

• Saying “Check out my SaaS”

• Overpromising features

What works:

• Acknowledge their problem

• Share a useful insight or solution

• Explain how you are approaching the problem

• Offer access, not a sales pitch

This builds trust and opens real conversations.

Competitor Users Are Low-Hanging Fruit

Your competitors already educated your market.

Look for:

• Reddit posts asking for alternatives

• Complaints about pricing or missing features

• Threads comparing tools

These users already understand the problem and are actively searching for something better.

Many founders track competitor names and features using reddix to catch these moments early.

Turn Early Users Into Momentum

Your first users should feel like collaborators.

Do things that do not scale:

• Onboard them personally

• Ask what confused them

• Follow up after first use

Their feedback gives you:

• Clearer positioning

• Better onboarding

• Stronger messaging

This is how products improve fast in the early stage.

Charge Earlier Than You Think

Free users validate interest. Paying users validate value.

You do not need perfect pricing. You need proof that someone will pay.

Charging early:

• Filters out low-intent users

• Forces clarity in your messaging

• Gives stronger feedback

Even a simple price is better than free forever.

Final Takeaway

Getting your first SaaS users is not about exposure.

It is about:

• Finding people with active pain

• Showing up in the right conversations

• Helping before selling

• Repeating what works

If you focus on intent-based channels like Reddit and use tools such as reddix to surface real demand, your first users come faster and with better feedback.