Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out, I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on marketing your SaaS product. I understand the initial launch can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you're juggling multiple roles. It's common to feel disheartened when initial strategies don't pan out as expected, but don't worry, it's all part of the process!
First off, it sounds like you're pouring a lot of energy into Reddit, which, while it can work, is a tough nut to crack and is very time-consuming. I'd say you probably shouldn't focus too much on reddit. When you are trying to grow a company, you should focus your effort on things that drive growth, and I am afraid spending all your time commenting on Reddit is not going to lead to many signups.
Given your budget constraints, you need strategies that offer a decent return on time invested. Let's explore some cost-effective alternatives that could be a better fit:
You probably should look at Content Marketing...
Content marketing is a great way to show off what you know, get people landing on your website, and eventually, hopefully, converting those clicks into users.
Think about what problems your ideal customer faces. What questions do they have? What are they searching for online? Then, create content that answers those questions and solves those problems. This could be in the form of blog posts, articles, guides, videos, or even infographics. The key is to provide valuable, informative, and engaging content that positions you as an authority in your field.
Optimise your content for search engines (SEO). This means using relevant keywords, writing compelling meta descriptions, and building backlinks from other websites. SEO is a long-term game, but it's a highly effective way to drive organic traffic to your website. When people search for solutions related to your SaaS product, you want your content to show up at the top of the search results.
Make sure you are giving value. The content you provide should be helpful and show your expertise. This isn't some quick post where you write a post about how amazing your product is - but an honest and in-depth article.
Share your content on social media. Promote your blog posts and articles on your social media channels to reach a wider audience. Engage with your followers and encourage them to share your content as well.
I'd say you should get listed on directories...
Getting listed on relevant software directories and review sites can significantly boost your visibility and credibility. These platforms are often frequented by users actively seeking solutions like yours.
Identify relevant directories and review sites. Research industry-specific directories and review sites where your SaaS product would be a good fit. Some popular options include Capterra, G2, TrustRadius, and Product Hunt (though it didn't work out so well the first time). When you are looking to be listed on product sites, make sure they are the right ones. You want to find sites that have users who would be interested in your SaaS product.
Create a compelling listing. Craft a clear and concise description of your SaaS product, highlighting its key features, benefits, and unique selling points. Use high-quality screenshots and videos to showcase your product in action. Don't forget to include a link to your website.
Encourage customer reviews. Positive reviews can greatly influence potential customers' purchasing decisions. Reach out to your existing users and ask them to leave a review on the directories where you're listed. Offer incentives, such as discounts or free upgrades, in exchange for their feedback.
We'll need to look at free trials and the website design...
I had a look at another redditor selling accounting systems and their ads were also not working. It turns out their website wasn't persuasive, the free trial wasn't free, and overall the design wasn't good and very B2B.
Make sure you offer a free trial of your SaaS product. Your competition probably does this, and if they don't, you will be ahead of the curve. You can always upsell them to a paid version.
Make sure your design isn't something out of the 90s. These days, lots of softwares have amazing and sleek design. You will need to up your game if you want to get noticed.
Make sure your landing page is persuasive. We usually hire copywriters for our landing pages who have experience in the SaaS niche to make sure they understand the tech and sell it well. The copy can make or break your campaign.
I've detailed my main recommendations for you below:
| Area | Recommendation | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Strategy | Shift focus from Reddit to content marketing | Content marketing is more scaleable |
| Website | Add a free trial | Many competitors do this. You should also do it. |
| Website Design | Make sure you are not stuck in the 90s | Design is important to persuade customers |
| Listings | Get your app listed in all the relevant directories. | If you get listed on websites that already have your audience, you can get more users. |
I know running a B2B SaaS isn't easy, but you should keep grafting. We have helped clients get thousands of customers, all from just split testing and implementing better landing page designs. Regarding scaling software campaigns, I recall one instance where we reduced the Cost Per User Acquisition from £100 to £7 for a Medical Job Matching SaaS by split testing and optimising their campaigns across Meta Ads and Google Ads.
If you'd like to explore this further, I'm happy to book in a free consultation where we can review your strategy and account together.
Regards,
Team @ Lukas Holschuh
