Kathryn Minshew

Acquiring Your First Users Out of Thin Air

“Build it, and they will come”  

But, no.  

Dead

Monthly unique visitors

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

Monthly unique visitors

0

200000

Not Dead

Acquiring Users Out of Thin Air 101 •  Design the first user experience •  Ask for word of mouth & make it

insanely easy •  Seek out like-minded groups •  Know how to approach reporters •  Become your own PR machine

1: Design the first user experience

2: Ask for word of mouth, and make it insanely easy

3: Seek out like-minded groups

4: Know how to approach bloggers & reporters

Approaching Bloggers & Reporters #1  

•  Concentrate on the right people – Start small – Target appropriately

Approaching Bloggers & Reporters #2  

•  Tell a good, clear, easy-to-repeat story – Who’s the hero of your project? – What’s the problem? The opportunity? – How is your solution going to be unique?

Important?

Approaching Bloggers & Reporters #3  

•  Be concise •  Relate your story to trends •  Understand: reporters are humans too!

5: Become your own PR Machine

Thank You!

Kathryn Minshew @Kmin TheMuse.com