Run an Episodic Build-in-Public Series

Run an Episodic Build-in-Public Series is a first users & traction tactic for getting your first users: Post recurring update threads that explicitly reference your prior posts ('two weeks ago... last week... this week'), narrating the journey forward from zero traffic.

It's a strong fit for B2B SaaS and Dev tools / technical teams, and works especially well for solo founders, SaaS, dev tools. As a first users & traction play, plan for medium effort and expect results to build gradually over time, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

First users & tractionMedium effortSlow

Why does first users & traction work for this?

A serialized story builds a following that returns for each installment and roots for your progress.

The exact steps (4)

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.

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Sources

Frequently asked

What kind of products does the "Run an Episodic Build-in-Public Series" tactic work for?
It is a good fit for B2B SaaS and Dev tools / technical — 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 "Run an Episodic Build-in-Public Series" 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 medium effort, and results tend to be slow.
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.

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