Ask HN: Moving the Needle

I have been looking for ways to begin initial traction for a startup/side project in ways such as getting a newsletter (100 people/friends/some target users) and some attempts at the bullseye framework (https://medium.com/@yegg/the-bullseye-framework-for-getting-traction-ef49d05bfd7e) but to no avail. I know where I want to go for my target audience but am lost from where to start in order to get a sustainable platform going. I tried listing initial users but they were not from the target audience. Do I get a bunch of people on a list and invite them to the platform by emailing all of the people on competing websites to join? I am trying to do content marketing by releasing a blog every month or so (which is probably not enough). I'm simply lost but know I can make an impact on the space with the problem these people are experiencing day to day. Thank you.