Where to Find Early Users for a Startup (Before You Spend on Ads)

Early users don’t come from ads.
They come from proximity to the problem.

If you’re struggling to get your first 10, 50, or 100 users, it’s not because your product isn’t good. It’s because you’re looking in the wrong places.

Here’s where successful founders actually find early users, and how to do it without burning time or money.

The #1 Rule: Go Where the Pain Already Exists

Early users don’t want to be marketed to.
They want relief.

That means you need to show up where people are:

• Asking questions

• Complaining about broken solutions

• Comparing tools

• Looking for workarounds

These are high-intent environments, not social feeds.

Reddit: The Most Underrated Early-User Channel

Reddit is where users explain their problems in raw, unfiltered language.

You’ll see posts like:

• “Is anyone else struggling with X?”

• “I tried Y and it didn’t work”

• “What tool should I use for Z?”

These people are perfect early users because:

• They’re already motivated

• They give honest feedback

• They’re willing to test unfinished products

The challenge is finding the right threads consistently.

That’s why founders use reddix. Instead of manually searching, you surface real-time Reddit posts tied to your startup’s keywords and pain points.

Indie Communities (But Don’t Pitch)

Places like:

• Indie Hackers

• Niche Discords

• Slack groups

• Founder forums

These work only if you participate, not pitch.

The play:

1. Share what you’re building

2. Ask for feedback, not signups

3. Offer access, not a sales page

Early users want to feel involved, not sold to.

Twitter/X (Replies Beat Posting)

Posting into the void doesn’t get early users.

Replying does.

Search for:

• “Looking for a tool that…”

• “Anyone know a good way to…”

Jump into conversations already happening.

This works best when paired with Reddit discovery using reddix, so you’re not relying on one platform for signal.

Existing Tools’ Users (Ethical Piggybacking)

Your competitors already found your audience.

Look for:

• Reddit threads mentioning competing tools

• Reviews complaining about missing features

• “Alternatives to ___” posts

These users are actively looking for something better, which makes them ideal early adopters.

How to Approach Early Users (This Matters More Than Where)

Bad approach:

“Hey, check out my startup!”

Good approach:

• Acknowledge their problem

• Share what you’re building to solve it

• Ask if they want early access

• Invite feedback, not conversion

Early users want influence, not marketing copy.

Turn Early Users Into a Growth Engine

Your first users give you:

• Language for your landing page

• Feature validation

• Testimonials

• Referrals

Capture:

• What almost stopped them from using your product

• What finally convinced them

• How they describe the problem in their own words

This feedback loop is how startups escape the “nobody cares” phase.

Why This Beats Paid Acquisition Early On

Ads:

• Require polished messaging

• Burn cash fast

• Hide weak product-market fit

Early-user sourcing:

• Exposes flaws immediately

• Forces clarity

• Builds loyalty

That’s why most successful founders start with intent-driven channels like Reddit, especially when supported by tools like reddix that surface real demand instead of guesses.

Final Takeaway

Early users don’t live on landing pages.

They live in:

• Reddit threads

• Community discussions

• Comment sections

• Complaint posts

If you:

• Show up where problems are discussed

• Lead with value, not a pitch

• Systemize discovery instead of guessing

You’ll find early users faster and build something they actually want.

And if Reddit is part of your strategy, reddix gives you the leverage to do it consistently.