| raw | raw/reach-10000-app-users.md |
|---|---|
| url |
TL;DR
Steven Cravotta's four-step plan for the first 10,000 high-quality users — the hardest ones to get. Same engine that scaled Puff Count to 1M users / $44k MRR: Reddit for instant users, viral message via the funnel mindset, results-only creators on Posted, then paid ads.
The four steps
- Reddit cheat code — share (don’t spam) in founder subreddits for the first real users + feedback. (reddit-marketing.)
- Identify your viral marketing message — sell the transformation, not the features; content that feels like an ad loses the algorithm. Think of marketing as a funnel where each step only needs to reach the next (video → App Store, listing → download, onboarding → purchase).
- Capitalize on trends — use trending TikTok/Reels sounds (his “a win is a win” video → 33k views) for cheap reach.
- Hire creators on a results-only basis via Posted deals (pay only when you approve; ~$1,500 → 4,000 downloads, 37¢/download) or the new CPM model (pay per 1,000 views). You own the content + Spark Ads code for life.
- Scale winners with paid ads — paid lets you add a real CTA. Compute LTV-per-install in RevenueCat (Puff Count ≈ $1–$1.50); keep CAC under it.
Note
Near-identical playbook to scale-an-app-from-0-to-10k (the $0–$10k video), with more on the funnel/transformation framing and the Posted CPM feature.
Related
- reddit-marketing · app-market-research · creator-content-engine · paid-ads-scaling
- no-audience-launch · scale-an-app-from-0-to-10k · steven-cravotta