Hey,
Thank you for taking the time to read, and for your potential advice.
In the case of a digital product MVP, without funding, how do you generate relevant traffic without breaking the bank (as you don’t want to over-invest from the get-go)?
For context, here’s what I know about how to generate traffic:
- Personal network
- Pros: Free, and quick exposure
- Con’s: One trick poney, Usually a low match in terms of potential customers
- Virality
- Pros: Awesome, free, recurrent
- Con’s: Completely out of your control or what you can do in early stages
- MVP sharing spaces
- Pros: Free, Wide exposure
- Cons: Very low relevancy, I feel like all of the known MVP-sharing space is filled at 99% with people sharing their own MVPs. Everyone wants to talk, no one wants to listen.
- SEO:
- Pros: Long-term traffic building
- Cons: It takes such a long time, has no guarantee, and doubtful future with incoming AI search engines. Also is a debatably too big investment when just testing the water with an MVP.
- Ads:
- Pros: Effective, potentially more relevant, Quick
- Cons: Costly, can take a while to fine-tune for good targeting/costs.
In my case it’s not a “have been working on it for 3 years mvp”, it’s literally a 2-week free product, put three links on a couple of subreddits and I am getting a new user a day. My current plan would be to ask users to register their email if they are interested in a paid pro version, put a small amount of $ into ads, and only continue and build the pro version if I can get 100 registered interest.
But I wanted to know what is your usual process for this, how do you handle it? I would love to hear from people who have serially launched digital products, if you have a pattern in how you do things, regardless of the industry for the product.
And as a related question, are there things you can do as a non-marketer person to build up coverage in a way that doesn’t involve throwing money at it and that is value-adding, ethical, and non-spammy? I am happy to spend some time and energy, I am just not sure how to go at it.
Thank you again, and have a fantastic day!
Validating and gaining exposure for your digital MVP is crucial for ensuring its success in the market. Here’s a step-by-step process to effectively validate and expose your digital MVP:
Identify your target audience: Clearly define your target users, understanding their demographics, interests, pain points, and online behavior. This will help you tailor your validation and exposure strategies effectively.
Gather initial feedback: Utilize user testing tools or conduct in-person interviews to gather feedback from your target audience. Observe their interactions with your MVP, identify areas for improvement, and gather insights into their needs and expectations.
Analyze usage data: Employ analytics tools to track user behavior, such as page views, time spent on each page, and conversion rates. Analyze this data to identify patterns, understand user engagement, and optimize your MVP accordingly.
Run A/B tests: Conduct A/B tests to compare different versions of your MVP, such as varying design elements, call-to-action buttons, or messaging. This will help you determine which elements lead to better user engagement and conversions.
Engage with early adopters: Identify and engage with early adopters who are passionate about your product. Encourage their feedback, involve them in product development, and leverage their enthusiasm to promote your MVP.
Seek feedback from industry experts: Seek feedback from industry experts, such as product designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs. Their insights can help you refine your MVP, identify potential challenges, and improve its overall market fit.
Leverage social media platforms: Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with your target audience, share your MVP’s features and benefits, and engage in conversations with potential users.
Participate in online communities: Engage with online communities related to your industry or target audience. Share your MVP, participate in discussions, and provide valuable insights to establish credibility and attract potential users.
Consider content marketing: Create informative and engaging content related to your product or industry. Share this content on your website, social media channels, and relevant online publications to attract organic traffic and build brand awareness.
Explore influencer marketing: Collaborate with relevant influencers in your industry who align with your brand values. Leverage their influence to reach a wider audience, promote your MVP, and generate positive buzz.
Utilize paid advertising: Consider targeted advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and social media to reach your specific audience, drive traffic to your MVP landing page, and generate leads.
Attend industry events: Participate in relevant industry events, conferences, and trade shows to showcase your MVP, network with potential partners and investors, and gain exposure to new opportunities.
Submit your MVP to relevant publications: Submit your MVP for review and consideration to relevant online and offline publications, blogs, and tech review sites. Positive reviews can enhance your credibility and attract new users.
Offer incentives for referrals: Implement a referral program that rewards existing users for inviting their friends and colleagues to try your MVP. This can help you expand your reach and acquire new users more efficiently.