Gaining 2,200+ visitors on our first week launching an AI tool
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint of a piece originally featured on Indie Hackers. For further details and discussion, please refer to the original post linked at the end of this article.
The Hustle is Real: Launching an AI Startup in Week One
Hi, our last article about getting 20,000 organic visitors was a blast, so let's talk about the wild ride that was the official launch week of adsby.co. Buckle up, because this story has drama, lessons, and maybe even a few laughs (at our expense!).
The Plan: Lasers, Not Shotguns
Let's rewind. Since day one, we knew launching an AI tool meant being laser-focused. Forget trying to be everywhere, we had to dominate our niche. Remember those free tools and the content grind? That was all about building momentum (and yes, testing our sanity).
We built our strategy around three key areas: AI, digital marketing, and helping small businesses/startups. Every piece of content, every decision, had to hit that sweet spot in the middle.
Behind the Scenes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
As the designs came in, the devs started coding the frontend. Meanwhile, the backend team was in full-on research mode with APIs. Picture this: OpenAI docs open on one screen, Google Ads and OAuth tutorials on the other. It was beautiful chaos!
But hey, we had content, traffic was slowly growing, and thanks to some killer Product Hunt launches, we built a solid mailing list. Things were looking promising.
Launch Week: Let the Games Begin
We started, like any self-respecting startup, with Product Hunt. It's my Gotham City – chaotic, a bit shady, but with the potential for epic wins. And boy, that launch day was a rollercoaster! We got tons of attention and upvotes early on... and then those 'upvote sellers' started flooding my inbox. Ugh.
Long story short, we didn't buy votes, and Product Hunt's mysterious algorithm decided to bury us on the list. No matter, we still walked away with some sweet backlink juice and newsletter features.
After the Hunt: The Pivot
Post-launch, we hit every AI-focused website and newsletter that helped get traction for our free tools. The content hustle never stopped, and we got those new visitors rolling in. Plus, we finally triggered that massive 2,000+ person waitlist email. Conversion wasn't sky-high, but that's okay.
We don't have fancy social media right now – the focus is on being part of existing conversations. That means Indie Hackers posts, Reddit threads, LinkedIn discussions – wherever our audience is. Our personal LinkedIn networks helped, plus, my last article getting featured was an awesome surprise!
Week One: The Numbers
So, the results? Over 2,200 new visitors, 60+ users, and 26 free trials started. We'll see if those convert in the coming weeks, but those numbers feel good.
The Big Lessons
Feedback is KING: Gemini helped me write some personalized emails to new users, and the insights were pure gold. We even offered some extended trials to keep learning!
Early adopters are your MVPs: Bond with them now, money comes later.
The innovation train never stops: We've got an idea funnel going, and that's a whole different beast I'll tackle in next week's post.
That's it for launch week. We're not #buildinpublic gurus yet, but I'll be sharing this #growinpublic journey along the way. Hope this helps, and if you're launching, hit me up – the struggle is real, but so are the rewards!