Gaining 2,200+ visitors on our first week launching an AI tool
The Hustle is Real: Launching an AI Startup in Week One
Hi, Indie Hackers, our last article about getting 20,000 organic visitors was a blast, so let's talk about the wild ride that was the official launch week of adsby.co. Buckle up, because this story has drama, lessons, and maybe even a few laughs (at our expense!).
The Plan: Lasers, Not Shotguns
Let's rewind. Since day one, we knew launching an AI tool meant being laser-focused. Forget trying to be everywhere, we had to dominate our niche. Remember those free tools and the content grind? That was all about building momentum (and yes, testing our sanity).
We built our strategy around three key areas: AI, digital marketing, and helping small businesses/startups. Every piece of content, every decision, had to hit that sweet spot in the middle.
Behind the Scenes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
As the designs came in, the devs started coding the frontend. Meanwhile, the backend team was in full-on research mode with APIs. Picture this: OpenAI docs open on one screen, Google Ads and OAuth tutorials on the other. It was beautiful chaos!
But hey, we had content, traffic was slowly growing, and thanks to some killer Product Hunt launches, we built a solid mailing list. Things were looking promising.
Launch Week: Let the Games Begin
We started, like any self-respecting startup, with Product Hunt. It's my Gotham City – chaotic, a bit shady, but with the potential for epic wins. And boy, that launch day was a rollercoaster! We got tons of attention and upvotes early on... and then those 'upvote sellers' started flooding my inbox. Ugh.
Long story short, we didn't buy votes, and Product Hunt's mysterious algorithm decided to bury us on the list. No matter, we still walked away with some sweet backlink juice and newsletter features.
After the Hunt: The Pivot
Post-launch, we hit every AI-focused website and newsletter that helped get traction for our free tools. The content hustle never stopped, and we got those new visitors rolling in. Plus, we finally triggered that massive 2,000+ person waitlist email. Conversion wasn't sky-high, but that's okay.
We don't have fancy social media right now – the focus is on being part of existing conversations. That means Indie Hackers posts, Reddit threads, LinkedIn discussions – wherever our audience is. Our personal LinkedIn networks helped, plus, my last article getting featured was an awesome surprise!
Week One: The Numbers
So, the results? Over 2,200 new visitors, 60+ users, and 26 free trials started. We'll see if those convert in the coming weeks, but those numbers feel good.
The Big Lessons
- Feedback is KING: Gemini helped me write some personalized emails to new users, and the insights were pure gold. We even offered some extended trials to keep learning!
- Early adopters are your MVPs: Bond with them now, money comes later.
- The innovation train never stops: We've got an idea funnel going, and that's a whole different beast I'll tackle in next week's post.
That's it for launch week. We're not #buildinpublic gurus yet, but I'll be sharing this #growinpublic journey along the way. Hope this helps, and if you're launching, hit me up – the struggle is real, but so are the rewards!
Let me know if you like the changes!
Why would you NOT buy my product?
I enjoyed reading "The Hustle is Real". How do you balance content creation and product development together?
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the article. Balancing content creation and product development is definitely a challenge. We've found that dedicating our daylight hours to core development works best. Then, in the evenings, we switch gears to content creation. Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini have been lifesavers – they help us streamline ideation and writing, making sure those late-night sessions are productive!
Thank you for sharing your journey. May I know which one has the most impact: Indie Hackers posts, Reddit threads or LinkedIn discussions in your case?
For us, the biggest impact came from newsletters. We spent some time building to list our product at newsletters and Product Hunt launches made us visible for them to give a place. Indie Hackers was a close second – that community has been amazing for feedback! My personal LinkedIn network hasn't been as impactful yet, likely since my connections are mostly from my corporate background.
Thanks for your informative content!
That is amazing.
I too launched on Product Hunt and received amazing feedback. I was scared earlier before I launched the product but then I gained MVP feedback which is why I am pivoting.
Miles to go before I sleep :D
Awesome milestone reached with your organic traffic. Looking forward to following along with this!
I agree, bonding with your early adopters is definitely key. They even wrote blogs for us (Clearmind), and we were able to tap into various geographies because of that.
That's so true! Early adopters are like your marketing ambassadors. Love that you got that organic blog love happening too! Did that come from actively reaching out, or did they approach you? I'm always curious about how others build those relationships. 😊
Focusing narrowly on your niche and target audience from the start is key to gaining traction quickly. It sounds like your laser focus on AI, digital marketing and small businesses paid off in driving relevant traffic and users in the first critical weeks.
Building momentum through free tools and content is a smart strategy. It helped you test your solution, learn what resonates and build an engaged audience primed to try your full offering at launch. Their early feedback through trials will be invaluable.
While launches bring excitement, unpredictable factors like algorithms can interfere. Pivoting nimbly to focus on conversations your audience is already having shows resourcefulness. Ongoing testing and listening will serve you well as you refine your approach.
Awesome!
This is so spot-on! Thanks for taking the time to break it down like this. You're absolutely right: the early feedback will be crucial as we continue to iterate. I'm interested to hear – what are some of the ways you stay on top of the conversations happening in your niche? Any tools or communities you find helpful?
In "The Hustle is Real: Launching an AI Startup in Week One," the author shares a gripping account of the challenges and triumphs of starting an AI company. The narrative immerses readers in the intensity of the startup world, highlighting the resilience required to navigate its complexities. Through vivid storytelling, the book offers valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey, inspiring aspiring founders to embark on their ventures.
Thank you so much for those kind words! I really wanted to capture both the highs and the lows of the entrepreneurial journey. I'm glad that sense of realism came through. Hopefully, it helps aspiring founders feel motivated and prepared at the same time! 😊
Very valuable testimony! Many lessons to learn.
I really like this quote "Forget trying to be everywhere, we had to dominate our niche"!!!
Totally agree! It's tempting to spread yourself thin early on, but laser focus is often what leads to major breakthroughs. Out of curiosity, what's your niche, and how are you dominating it right now?
My niche is founders looking for investment. My focus was to find a strong USP in relation to all the competition.
It's not worth creating another platform like all the others... if it doesn't have a strong USP. Sometimes it doesn't even need to be that strong... but it has to exist.
Amazing story! I am about to do my Product Hunt launch today.
Cool, good luck!
We have tried mainstream social media marketing, and it has yet to be fruitful. Gemini is great for writing ad copy.
Couldn't agree more. We found way more success with targeted content strategies than trying to be everywhere at once. Gemini rocks for that!