HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Hunt Down Creators on the Exact Platforms They Already Use

Hunt Down Creators on the Exact Platforms They Already Use is a cold outreach tactic for getting your first users: Find your precise target users by their demonstrated behavior on niche platforms and DM or email them directly rather than waiting for them to find you.

It's a strong fit for Consumer / mobile apps and Newsletters / media teams, and works especially well for creator tools, niche B2C software. As a cold outreach play, plan for high effort and expect results to arrive at a steady pace, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

Cold outreachHigh effortMedium

Why does cold outreach work for this?

Targeting people who already show the relevant behavior means every outreach lands on a genuine prospect.

The exact steps (5)

The full step-by-step this founder ran, what they posted, where, and in what order, plus the watch-outs, is part of the library.

Unlock the steps · $29 oncePlus all 3,000+ tactics and the new ones we add weekly.

Sources

Works for
Consumer / mobile appsNewsletters / media

Frequently asked

What kind of products does the "Hunt Down Creators on the Exact Platforms They Already Use" tactic work for?
It is a good fit for Consumer / mobile apps and Newsletters / media — pick it when your product looks like one of those, since the play is shaped around how those users find new tools.
How is the "Hunt Down Creators on the Exact Platforms They Already Use" tactic verified?
It is drawn from 1 primary source — a real founder write-up or interview, not generic advice. It is linked in the Sources section above so you can read the original account yourself.
How much effort is it and how fast are results?
It is high effort, and results tend to be medium.
Where can I see the exact step-by-step?
The full step-by-step a founder ran, documented via Source — IndieHackers, is in the paid library.

Related tactics

Cold outreachHigh effort· Slow

Play the Volume Game

Sending cold DMs at large scale, accepting low per-message conversion in exchange for raw reach, often using automation to hit the numbers manual sending can't.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachMedium effort· Slow

Win Creators and Podcast Guests With Genuine, Specific Outreach

Landing influencers, partners, or big-name podcast guests by leading with authentic fandom and a concrete reference, then framing the upside around them rather than you.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachMedium effort· Fast

Mine Hashtags for Twitter DM Validation

Found prospects by searching relevant Twitter hashtags, then opened direct messages to talk through their problem before and during the build.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachHigh effort· Slow

Creator Outreach Is a Volume Game

Landing influencer promotions by accepting that the response rate is low and the math only works at scale — sending the same tight pitch to 100+ creators in your niche, then converting the few who bite.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachHigh effort· Medium

DM the Followers of Big VC and Accelerator Accounts

He targeted his cold Twitter DM campaign at the followers of major VC and accelerator accounts (Y Combinator, a16z, Sequoia, Techstars), reasoning they're self-selected as interested in startups, and sent 1,000+ DMs to grow his newsletter.

Read the steps →
Cold outreachHigh effort· Medium

Pitch Target Users One-on-One Through Dating-App DMs

Use conversations on dating platforms as a one-to-one channel to reach your target demographic and naturally introduce the product into the chat.

Read the steps →

Get all 3,000+ tactics in one place

Filter by your product and channel, follow the exact steps, and get the new tactics we add every week. One payment, yours for good.

Unlock for $29 onceBrowse by channel