Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4284718

by jasonlingx • 14 years ago

6 15 14 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I've tried posting a Show HN - got 5 points, 1 new user, some feedback on my site's lack of info.

I've submitted it to the mailchimp integrations directory - got listed but no new users.

I've tried pitching it to startup people I know, website owners - I've tried pitching it at startup meetups, events - people think it's a cool idea but no one to actually try it yet.

I've also tried posting to programming groups, forum software groups...

Would be grateful for any good ideas

pizza• 14 years ago

Here's some armchair advice: focus on e-mail and hunt for website owners that send out newsletters. Make sure to tell them exactly why what you're offering is better than what they already have.

Some organizational advice: have less stuff on the landing page. Keep the what and the why, but have the how elsewhere. And there's a lot of wasted real estate with that grey box; try to use it to pitch.

jmathai• 14 years ago

There's a lot of text on your home page. A clear synopsis would help convert users that show up. Do you know if people visit but don't sign up or are they not visiting at all?

I agree with `pizza` though, target specific website owners and see if they'd be willing/interested in using your service. You really have to know what the value proposition is though, which is a good practice anyways.

tstegart2• 14 years ago

I second the above. The current text "Intelligent fully automated email newsletters and social media sharing for your website" is pretty useless. Tell a business owner how it will save them time or money and how its better than what you suspect they use.

You might want to do a search for "landing page copy" in an effort to increase your sign-ups.

impostervt• 14 years ago

It actually seems like a VERY useful tool for forum-type sites. Who else would use it? Maybe focus on some specific markets, and reach out directly to owners of those sites.

The site does look unfinished without any images.

jasonlingx3• 14 years ago

Yes it was built for a forum site I ran. But any kind of site that generates more than 1 page a day would benefit from automated newsletters. Any site that generates more than around 10 pages or so a day would benefit from automated social sharing.

tstegart2• 14 years ago

Clickable: http://cansend.com/

rdubb• 14 years ago

As a first impression from viewing the site, I didn't understand what it was offering. It mentions social sharing, but it wasn't until I read over the copy a few times that I actually understood that your service will takes new content from a website and post links to that content on social media sites and newsletters. I agree with what other people are saying, try to make it clearer what you're offering.

barakstout• 14 years ago

Try to show it to as many people as you can. Post some youtube videos on how-to. Use every web 2.0 network you can to try to get more people to your door step.

byjess• 14 years ago

changing news letter providers is a high hurdle for people. The fact that it is "free" doesn't matter, since its such a pain to setup and run campaigns.

I would buy google ads on newsletter related keywords so you know you are getting people looking for a solution to try.

Also your copy is bad and your proposition is unclear.

jasonlingx3• 14 years ago

Yes this currently only integrates with Mailchimp. Although it should be simple enough to make it such that it generates an email that is sent to your 'broadcast address' which should work across newsletter providers.

orangethirty• 14 years ago

You need a better website with a better explanation of what it is that you do. Get a cheap template from one of the big providers, and ditch bootstrap.

Then (drum roll), email people about it.

murtza• 14 years ago

I like your initiative on the product. You need to improve the design of your homepage. I am not affiliated with Simplicant (http://www.simplicant.com/ ), but I think they have a good homepage design that could serve as a starting point for your redesign.

jasonlingx3• 14 years ago

Thanks for all the responses. A common theme in the responses seems to be 1) design of the site/homepage, images, videos; 2) landing page copy / unclear proposition.

I'm not sure how critical 1) is and am hesitant to invest more resources into it having not gotten any traction so far.

I'm struggling with 2) and not quite sure how to better pitch the service and its benefits... needs a lot more thought on my part perhaps. I'm currently thinking if I can create some sort of flowchart graphics that shows at a glance what it does...

ryankals• 14 years ago

I'd try explaining what you do in a clear and concise sentence which should headline your landing page. A good indicator is whether or not a young child can understand it. Basically if users are confused, they won't stay and obviously won't sign up (even if it's free). Good luck!

allwein• 14 years ago

One of things I think you need to answer is why I would use/switch to this service if I'm already using some WP Plugins that handle this social media sharing.

Ask HN: How do I get people to try my (free) service?

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