and building a custom lead generation tool integrating OpenAI technologies.

I’m skeptical since you referred to it as “OpenAI technologies”, but there’s a whole directory dedicated to marketing agencies. Scrape that list, find the right contacts, and if this is as good as you claim, you’ll find your first few customers here.

We did well with Twitter (web3 learning as well). If you reach out to influencers and blogs in the space, they’re usually open to sharing free resources.

If you have the time, regularly uploading YouTube videos will get you some traction.

We targeted beginners as well, and having the selling point being what they’ll learn to build was a better selling point than selling the technical skills they’ll learn.

Just be prepared this is a tough space you’re entering. A lot of the larger competitors with big financial backing (buildspace) exited the space for a reason.

Sure, feel free to PM me.

Are you speaking from experience? Maybe it’s an industry thing, but we’re still driving sales via cold outreach here.

Assuming you paid $1/click that would put you at a 25% sign up conversion rate which isn’t bad. From that to 2 sales makes me think there’s a disconnect somewhere. Without knowing more a few things come to mind.

1. Are you running automated campaigns? Google might be giving you cheap leads from low intent/quality search terms. Have you looked at your search term report?
2. My last startup was in edu as well and we saw poor results from Google. Facebook on the other hand was phenomenal. From memory it was .5% click to sale conversions on Google and 3% on Facebook.
3. Disconnect with copy. If you’re using “free” in your ad copy, I would test copy without it. Your CTR will definitely drop, but you’ll get higher quality clicks. It could be something with your landing page copy as well. Maybe there’s something in there that people feel like they aren’t getting. If your selling point is “AI” maybe drop that. You might be getting clicks from curious clickers vs interested prospects.
4. Are you following up with these leads? We found roughly 70% of our sales came from email follow ups. I would also add a separate follow up funnel for abandoned checkout sessions.

I’m not familiar with Startup Weekend, but considering they’re actively recruiting startups for their programs, it’s most likely for scouting purposes.

With that said, they do work with programs of all sizes, even pre-revenue. If you’re looking for funding, it’s worth a shot to attend and meet some connects there that can vouch for you if you apply to one of their programs.

Check out their rising stars program if you or your co-founder meets their requirements for “underrepresented founders”. Seeing that you have an MVP and traction, you’re ahead of probably 99% of applicants.