New post https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Fire" aria-label="Emoji: Fire"> An investigation into how the biggest consumer apps got their first 1,000 users.

Tons of learnings, including that just 7 strategies account for every big consumer apps& #39; early growth.

Highlights in thread below https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index"> https://www.lennyrachitsky.com/how-the-biggest-consumer-apps-got">https://www.lennyrachitsky.com/how-the-b...

1/ Top 7 strategies to acquire your first 1,000 users:

1. Go where your target users are, offline
2. Go where your target users are, online
3. Invite your friends
4. Create FOMO in order to drive word-of-mouth
5. Leverage influencers
6. Get press
7. Build a community pre-launch

2/ More learnings:

1. Most startups found their early users from just a single strategy
2. The most popular strategies involve going to your user directly
3. It’s important to first narrowly define your target user

3/ Questions to ask yourself:

1. Where are your target users congregating?
2. Have you invited your friends yet?
3. Does your product rely on UGC? Curate early users
4. Is your value-prop strong? Throw up a waitlist
5. Who are influencers of your target users? Get them sharing

4/ Much more in the full post https://www.lennyrachitsky.com/how-the-biggest-consumer-apps-got">https://www.lennyrachitsky.com/how-the-b...

5/ Shout-out to everyone who contributed to this research, including @rrhoover @jmj @sarahfrier @andrewchen @emilycwarren_ @_shahedk @toddg777 @helloligaya @JeffChang30

And, special shout out to @adayeoyh for asking this question.

PMF