Ask HN: How to get my first 100 signups? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How to get my first 100 signups?

9 pointsadzeds21 comments

I have just launched a new membership site and was wondering what advice people have for getting my first 100 signups on board?

Site URL posted in comment below

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Sounds like a saturated space, but folks are always interested in quality, free, sports commentary and journalism.

Presumably your betting tips are based on some competent insight which is not universally available. Write about that.

If your writing is good, you can find an outlet for it, like a message board site. So, start writing frequent, quality posts, with in-depth information, based on your research.

In this way, you'll gain a reputation. People will follow you on Twitter. Then you'll just need a reference to this web site in your signature.

Thanks. I have always enjoyed writing and feel like this could be a good avenue.

Would you recommend that I write as a guest on larger sites, or run my own blog?

Don't run your own blog. At least not for a while. The chance you'll rank in football search result is low.

Here's an example of someone who's reputation you might aspire towards:

http://www.thephins.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2222314

I read everything he says on this Miami Dolphins (American) football forum. But he also write professionally for some website, and he's a member of the premium section of the blog, where, I hear, there is some great info/discussions.

Here's an example of one of his more in depth posts:

http://www.thephins.com/forums/showthread.php?83531-QB-Rakee...

The site doesn't let me search by popularity, or I'd be able to find you more examples.

Thanks for the great examples.

I am going to make this a key part of my strategy!

If your algorithm is really better at predicting outcomes than bookmakers are (which it must be, if you are winning money from bookmakers), then you should be selling this to bookmakers instead of punters. I suspect you would be able to make a lot more money that way.

That's all assuming it works, of course.

The difference is that bookmakers edge their odds in order to encourage people to stake and join their sites.

My way of analyzing essentially removes the commercial aspect and focuses purely on the event itself.

I might ask some questions to see if bookmakers like to purchase/gain access to other algorithms.

A lot of betting in England is now betting exchanges, so it's not punter against bookmaker but punter against punter.

This is risky betting because there are information asymmetries that can be exploited. For example, there are some time delays in results being broadcast. Someone at the track / pitch can place / accept bets in the few seconds before information about an event is broadcast; and betting exchanges appear to be driving some corrupt behaviours in sports.

Advertising or simply posting in betting / gambling / sports related forums and online communities would probably be a good start. Offer discounts or coupon codes, people love that kind of stuff.

Nice. Might start hunting for 5-6 to start interacting with!

Try to post on producthunt.com - you need to know someone who can submit it there for you though. If you make it onto the product hunt page, you will get much more than just 100 signups. There are loads of posts out there talking about how to get listed on product hunt.

I will investigate.

Thanks for the heads up.

Go to a sports bar. Offer to buy beer (should not be very expensive) for those who get one other member to sign up with them. Pay for 50 beers, get 100 members. Plus, you might get feedback related to the site instantly (in person). That's hustling, in my opinion.

Nice idea... This is something that I might try...

Is there an online version of this sort of thing? Like a service that lets you offer free access codes to people who refer 2+ other people?

No (well, probably), but there's you going to the bar yourself and watching them sign up, then paying for the cheap beer (hopefully ~$1 beer). Personal interaction will probably be a lot better for understanding your potential user base, too. I certainly don't feel close to the CEO/founders of "Claim It!" even though sign-ups have been incentivized with goods (like the beer I suggested buying at the bar). This is client acquisition and research and should be treated as such -- utilizing some super-abstract such as an app (as you asked for).

My site: https://profootballbettingtips.com

If you want to join, use code hackernews for a 50% discount!

Anyone have any tips or tricks I can use to get potential leads onto my site?

Hustle like crazy.. People talk about it but rarely do it...

When you say hustle, what does that actually mean in terms of actions?

Just go out and interact with people?

You are solving a problem? Talk to your target market either face to face or in forums..

find out if they have this problem and if so suggest your solution...

Ah cool.

Thanks will give that a go.. Currently sourcing the best places to interact with people!

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