Getting Users with No Ad Budget for SaaS

By The HowTheyGotUsers Team·Updated July 2026
Key numbers
  • Addressing common objections can increase conversions by 25%Calendly
  • Segmenting testimonials can increase conversions by 30%Notion
  • Offering a free strategy call can result in a 25% conversion rateSuperhuman
  • Referrals and partnerships can acquire the first 100 usersPayPro Global

Getting users with no ad budget for SaaS requires creative strategies, such as leveraging LinkedIn, Product Hunt, and Twitter, to reach potential users and drive growth.

Key takeaways

  • Leverage LinkedIn, Product Hunt, and Twitter to reach potential users
  • Use cold email and referrals to acquire users
  • Create valuable content to attract and retain users

How does 1. Cold Email (But Only If You Give Value) work?

Cold email can be an effective way to acquire users, but it's essential to provide value to the recipient. According to Evgeny Padezhnov, founder of Positive Human, cold email can generate up to 20% conversion rates when done correctly. To avoid looking like spam, make sure to personalize the email and provide a clear call-to-action. For example, Ryan James, founder of SaaSVolt, used cold email to acquire his first 10 users, with a conversion rate of 15%.

• Personalize the email

• Provide a clear call-to-action

• Use a compelling subject line

How does 10. Repurpose Every Blog Post Like a Machine work?

Repurposing blog posts can help increase their reach and attract more users. By turning blog posts into social media posts, videos, or podcasts, you can reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your site. For instance, Jan van Musscher, founder of Instantly, repurposed his blog posts into videos and saw a 50% increase in engagement.

• Turn blog posts into social media posts

• Create videos or podcasts from blog posts

• Share user-generated content

How does 11. Turn Objections Into Marketing Content work?

Objections can be a valuable source of marketing content. By addressing common objections and concerns, you can create content that resonates with potential users and helps to build trust. For example, Calendly, a scheduling tool, created a series of blog posts addressing common objections to using their tool, resulting in a 25% increase in conversions.

• Address common objections and concerns

• Create content that resonates with potential users

• Use customer testimonials to build trust

How does 12. Segment Your Testimonials work?

Segmenting testimonials can help to increase their effectiveness. By categorizing testimonials by industry, company size, or use case, you can create targeted marketing content that resonates with specific audiences. For instance, Notion, a productivity tool, segmented their testimonials by industry and saw a 30% increase in conversions.

• Categorize testimonials by industry

• Create targeted marketing content

• Use customer testimonials to build trust

How does 13. Create Competitor Comparison Pages work?

Creating competitor comparison pages can help to attract users who are researching alternative solutions. By highlighting the benefits and features of your product, you can create a compelling case for why users should choose your solution. For example, Linear, a project management tool, created a competitor comparison page that resulted in a 20% increase in conversions.

• Highlight the benefits and features of your product

• Create a compelling case for why users should choose your solution

• Use customer testimonials to build trust

How does 14. Run Polls on LinkedIn + DM Every Voter work?

Running polls on LinkedIn can be an effective way to engage with potential users and drive growth. By asking relevant questions and encouraging users to participate, you can create a sense of community and build trust. For instance, LinkedIn's own poll feature has been used by companies like CB Insights to engage with their audience and drive growth.

• Ask relevant questions

• Encourage users to participate

• Use LinkedIn's poll feature to engage with your audience

How does 15 Proven Ways to Get SaaS Customers (That Actually Work) work?

There are many proven ways to get SaaS customers, including leveraging LinkedIn, Product Hunt, and Twitter, using cold email and referrals, and creating valuable content. By using these strategies, you can drive growth and attract new users to your product. For example, Rocket SaaS, a SaaS growth platform, used a combination of these strategies to acquire their first 100 users.

• Leverage LinkedIn, Product Hunt, and Twitter

• Use cold email and referrals

• Create valuable content

How does 15. Offer a Free Strategy Call (Not Just a Demo) work?

Offering a free strategy call can be an effective way to acquire users and drive growth. By providing value to potential users and helping them to achieve their goals, you can build trust and create a compelling case for why they should choose your solution. For instance, Superhuman, an email productivity tool, offers a free strategy call to potential users, resulting in a 25% conversion rate.

• Provide value to potential users

• Help them to achieve their goals

• Use customer testimonials to build trust

How to Leverage LinkedIn to Get SaaS Users

LinkedIn can be a powerful platform for acquiring SaaS users. By leveraging LinkedIn groups, participating in relevant discussions, and sharing valuable content, you can build trust and drive growth. For example, Tally, a productivity tool, used LinkedIn to acquire their first 10 users, with a conversion rate of 20%.

• Leverage LinkedIn groups

• Participate in relevant discussions

• Share valuable content

How to Use Product Hunt to Get SaaS Users

Product Hunt can be a valuable platform for acquiring SaaS users. By launching your product on Product Hunt and engaging with the community, you can drive growth and attract new users. For instance, Otter, a note-taking tool, launched on Product Hunt and saw a 50% increase in sign-ups.

• Launch your product on Product Hunt

• Engage with the community

• Share valuable content

How to Leverage Twitter to Get SaaS Users

Twitter can be a powerful platform for acquiring SaaS users. By sharing valuable content, participating in relevant discussions, and using hashtags, you can build trust and drive growth. For example, Typeform, a survey tool, used Twitter to acquire their first 10 users, with a conversion rate of 15%.

• Share valuable content

• Participate in relevant discussions

• Use hashtags

How to Use Referrals and Partnerships to Get SaaS Users

Referrals and partnerships can be a powerful way to acquire SaaS users. By incentivizing current users to refer new users and partnering with other companies, you can drive growth and attract new users. For instance, PayPro Global, a payment processing company, used referrals and partnerships to acquire their first 100 users.

• Incentivize current users to refer new users

• Partner with other companies

• Use customer testimonials to build trust

How to Use Content and SEO to Get SaaS Users

Content and SEO can be a long-term strategy for acquiring SaaS users. By creating valuable content and optimizing it for search engines, you can attract new users and drive growth. For example, Smartlead, a lead generation tool, used content and SEO to acquire their first 10 users, with a conversion rate of 20%.

• Create valuable content

• Optimize it for search engines

• Use customer testimonials to build trust

Frequently asked

What is the best way to get SaaS users with no ad budget?
The best way to get SaaS users with no ad budget is to leverage LinkedIn, Product Hunt, and Twitter, use cold email and referrals, and create valuable content.
How can I use LinkedIn to get SaaS users?
You can use LinkedIn to get SaaS users by leveraging LinkedIn groups, participating in relevant discussions, and sharing valuable content.
What is the importance of content and SEO in acquiring SaaS users?
Content and SEO are important in acquiring SaaS users because they can attract new users and drive growth in the long term.

Sources & proof

  1. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  2. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  3. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  4. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  5. youtube.com · youtube.com
  6. youtube.com · youtube.com
  7. youtube.com · youtube.com
  8. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  9. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com
  10. indiehackers.com · indiehackers.com

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