HACKER Q&A
📣 clmntrg

How do you recruit beta testers for your SaaS?


I work full-time at slite.com. We've been around for 5 years and done well. For a number of reasons, we recently decided to pivot.

We're developing a unique product for a small, growing, market we love: async-first communication (understand documentation + discussions).

Our success will massively rely on growing our (free) beta waitlist: 1. Bringing design partners on board and iterate with them on new releases 2. Hoping this will lead to a big public launch

→ Do any of you have experience building beta waitlists? How would you approach that in our context?

Thanks, and looking forward to reading your thoughts!

@clementrog

  👤 Jugurtha Accepted Answer ✓
I can go on and on about finding and talking with hundreds of users, but I'm on mobile and can't type a lengthy answer. Can you send me an email to remind me of this?

My contact information is in my profile. Talk with you soon.

PS: Launch. There's no 'big public launch'. Launch even with early request access and invite links. Put it online. Onboard users one by one. No, you don't need to send an automated email for those who signed up for early access. Just put in a database and contact them individually.

Your product will change based on the conversations you will have. Launch already. Put the link in your profile and a way for those interested to contact you.

👤 amanaplanablog
Don't think of them as "beta testers". They are users. Slapping beta in front makes it sound like you lack any confidence in what you're doing. 1:1 outreach is great advice. Think of it as finding users, hopefully users that are not afraid to give you feedback.
👤 JSeymourATL
Can you describe your ideal target client/user? The more detailed the better—

Try sorting individual profiles on LinkedIn. Start reaching out one-by-one, with personalized messages.

It’s time consuming, you’ll get tons of rejection. But the individuals who do respond favorably will be pure gold.

👤 clmntrg
If anyone is interested in the Beta → slite.typeform.com/discussions