Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out about getting your SIS software out there for coding bootcamps. I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on this.
Launching a software product, especially when you're bootstrapping, is always a challenge. But with a bit of a plan and some targeted effort, you can definitely validate your idea and start building a user base.
We'll need to look at content...
First off, I'd say that content is your best friend at this stage. Ads can be great, but before you even think about spending money, you need to create something valuable that will attract your target audience. Think about the problems coding bootcamps face with their current SIS systems. What are their pain points? What are they struggling with?
Turn these pain points into blog posts, guides, or even short videos. For instance, you could write articles like:
-> "5 Ways Your Current SIS is Failing Your Students"-> "How to Choose the Right SIS for Your Bootcamp: A Comprehensive Guide"
-> "The Ultimate Checklist for Streamlining Student Management in Coding Bootcamps"
These pieces of content aren't just about promoting your software. They're about offering genuine value and establishing yourself as an expert in the field. Host this content on a simple, dedicated landing page on your website or even a free platform like Medium or LinkedIn.
I'd say you should run ads...
Once you have your content ready, you can start running ads to drive traffic to your landing page. The key here is targeted ads. You need to reach the right people: coding bootcamp instructors and students.
LinkedIn is an obvious choice for this. You can target by job title (instructor, lecturer, etc.), bootcamp names, educational background, skills, and interests. This allows you to get very specific with your targeting. You could even target instructors at specific coding bootcamps.
Facebook/Instagram is a bit trickier, but you can still target by interests like "coding", "programming", "software development", and "coding bootcamps". You can also target people who've liked pages of coding bootcamps or related software.
One thing you'll wanna watch out for is to make sure you exclude anyone who works at a company that already sells student management systems, or your ad budget will quickly dissapear. This is super important.
The goal of these ads isn't to sell your software directly. It's to get people to visit your landing page and consume your content. In the ad copy, focus on the value you're offering: "Download our free guide to..." or "Learn how to..."
You probably should capture emails...
This is where the magic happens. On your landing page, include a clear call to action to capture email addresses. Offer something valuable in exchange for their email, such as:
-> A downloadable checklist
-> A free template
-> Early access to your software
The email list is your validation. If you're getting decent traffic to your landing page and a healthy percentage of visitors are signing up for your email list, then you know you're onto something. This indicates that there's real interest in your software and that you're addressing a genuine need.
If, on the other hand, you're not getting much traffic or your email signup rate is low, then you might need to rethink your product or your target audience. Maybe your value proposition isn't compelling enough, or maybe you're targeting the wrong people.
You'll need to keep people engaged...
Once you have a list of subscribers you should keep them engaged. That means sending them regular emails with updates, tips, and other useful information. Offer them exclusive content and benefits.
You could even ask for feedback on your software. What features are they most interested in? What problems are they hoping to solve? This feedback can be invaluable in shaping the development of your product.
When your software is ready for beta testing, give your email subscribers first access. This will reward their loyalty and give you valuable feedback before your official launch.
Remember, building a successful software product is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to adapt based on feedback. By following these steps, you can validate your idea, build a user base, and increase your chances of success.
This is the main advice I have for you:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Create Valuable Content | Develop blog posts, guides, or videos addressing pain points of coding bootcamps using current SIS systems. |
| Targeted Advertising | Run ads on LinkedIn and Facebook, specifically targeting coding bootcamp instructors and students. |
| Email Capture | Implement a clear call to action on your landing page to collect email addresses in exchange for valuable resources. |
| Engagement & Feedback | Regularly engage your email list with updates, tips, and exclusive content, and solicit feedback on your software. |
It does sound like you have a solid plan, but if this is all something you'd rather not focus your time on, you might consider getting some expert help. I recall one instance where we helped a B2B software client achieve 4,622 registrations at a cost of $2.38 per registration using Meta Ads. Also, I remember another project where we successfully reduced the Cost Per User Acquisition from £100 to £7 for a Medical Job Matching SaaS by using a combination of Meta Ads and Google Ads. We offer a free consultation to review your current strategy and see what we can do to help.
Regards,
Team @ Lukas Holschuh
