🎯 How to Nail Your Startup’s First 100 Users

Securing your first 100 users is a massive milestone—it validates your product, uncovers real customer insights, and gives early traction that investors love to see. But getting there takes more than a good idea. It takes strategy, persistence, and a solid understanding of who your users really are.

In this post, we break down proven ways to attract, engage, and retain your first 100 users as a UK startup founder.

🧭 Step 1: Know Your Ideal User Inside Out

Before you build, market, or sell—know who you’re targeting.

✅ Create a detailed user persona: industry, job role, pain points, goals, and buying behaviour.
✅ Focus on a narrow, well-defined niche—especially early on. Solving a specific problem for a specific user wins over trying to please everyone.

💡 Example: Instead of targeting “small businesses”, target “UK-based independent online retailers struggling with inventory management”.

📢 Step 2: Build Buzz Before You Launch

Start marketing before your product is even ready. This helps you build an early community and gather feedback.

Ways to build pre-launch momentum:

📨 Create a waitlist landing page with an incentive to sign up.
📣 Share behind-the-scenes content and product updates on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
🤝 Join relevant communities (Slack groups, Subreddits, Facebook groups, or industry forums).
💬 Talk to potential users 1-on-1 to test messaging and identify early evangelists.

🚀 Step 3: Use Personal Outreach to Drive Your First Signups

In the early days, scalable tactics won’t work—you’ll need to hustle.

Try this:

Write a list of 100 potential users (people in your network, LinkedIn connections, event attendees).
Reach out with a short, tailored message and a clear ask.
Offer a demo, free trial, or early access in exchange for feedback.

People are far more likely to try something when you ask directly—especially if they feel they’re part of the journey.

💼 Step 4: Leverage Your Network and Existing Communities

Your first 100 users will likely come from:

Your professional network (past colleagues, mentors, local accelerators).
Online communities where your users already spend time.
Industry events or meetups (in-person or virtual).

Don’t just post—engage meaningfully. Comment, help others, and build relationships.

🔁 Word of mouth is powerful in these early stages—so delight every early user and encourage them to refer others.

📊 Step 5: Track, Learn, and Optimise

What gets measured gets improved. Start tracking early:

Signups by source (to know where users are coming from)
Activation metrics (what actions define a “successful” user)
Retention and churn (do they stick around after signing up?)

Use tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude, or even just Google Sheets to begin.

Refine your messaging, onboarding, and user experience based on what the data tells you.

📈 Bonus Tip: Create a Feedback Loop

Use tools like Typeform, Intercom, or simple emails to regularly ask:

Why did you sign up?
What do you like or dislike so far?
What feature would make this 10x better?

This real-time input helps you make fast improvements and makes users feel valued—which increases loyalty.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Nailing your first 100 users is part strategy, part hustle, and all about building relationships. Don’t chase perfection—get your product in front of people, listen, adapt, and iterate.

Remember: your first 100 users will shape your roadmap, validate your assumptions, and give you the traction needed to attract investors.

Need Help Creating Investor-Ready Documents?

Once you’ve got those first users, it’s time to start thinking about growth—and funding.

At ModelsForStartUps, we offer:

✅ Pitch Deck Templates – Designed to impress investors.
✅ Business Plan Templates – Structured plans for fundraising success.
✅ Financial Model Templates – Projections that VCs expect.
✅ Cap Table Templates – Track ownership and equity with ease.

Explore the templates today and give your startup the best chance at success.

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