Your first 50 users won’t come from ads. They come from conversations.
Finding your first users is one of the hardest parts of building a startup—especially if you’re a non-tech or solo founder.
You may have a clear idea, a Notion doc, or even a basic product. But one question keeps coming back:
“How do I get people to actually use this?”
This guide breaks down where to find your first 50 potential users, without ads, code, or a large audience.
Why the First 50 Users Matter More Than You Think
Your first 50 users are not about scale or revenue.
They are about:
Learning what people actually want
Understanding real problems
Building confidence as a founder
Most startups don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because founders build in isolation.
1. Start With People You Already Know
The fastest way to get your first users is to stop searching and start looking closer.
Your existing network includes:
Former colleagues
Friends and family
Alumni groups
WhatsApp and Telegram groups
LinkedIn connections
Example: A solo founder offering interview coaching posted in one alumni group asking for 5 beta users. She got 11 responses in 24 hours.
Mistake to avoid: Waiting until your product feels “ready.”
2. Use Online Communities (Without Selling)
Your users are already talking about their problems online.
Look for:
LinkedIn comment threads
Founder and freelancer groups
Slack or Discord communities
Niche WhatsApp groups
How to approach:
Add value first
Answer questions
Share learnings
Offer help privately
Example: A freelancer built a simple Notion tracker and shared it casually after helping others in a group. That post brought her first 15 users.
3. Do Manual Cold Outreach (The Right Way)
Cold outreach works when it’s human and specific.
Simple approach:
Identify 30–50 ideal users
Send short, respectful messages
Ask for feedback, not money
Sample message:
“I’m building something small to help with Would you be open to sharing how you handle this today?”
Many non-tech founders get their first paying users from 5–10 conversations.
4. Offer Something Free That Solves One Problem
Your early users don’t need a full product.
They need:
A solution
A shortcut
Relief from a pain point
Examples:
Free audits
Templates
First-session free
Setup help
Free builds trust. Trust builds traction.
5. Ask Every User to Introduce One More
Growth starts earlier than you think.
After helping a user, ask:
“Who else should I speak to?”
“Can I quote this feedback?”
“Would you mind sharing this?”
One happy user often leads to three more conversations.
Final Thought
Finding your first 50 users is not about growth hacks.
It’s about:
Showing up
Listening closely
Solving one problem well
If you can talk to 50 people, you can build something real.
This article is part of the Leadpreneurs series—practical startup lessons for solo and first-time founders.
For more such topics, follow @Leadpreneurs. Stay tuned for the next blog!