Get the First 100 Users by Hand
Manually recruit your first users one by one to learn and build relationships.
Explanation
You can't automate your way to product-market fit. The first 100 users should be acquired personally—through direct outreach, existing networks, or going where your users congregate. This manual process forces you to understand your users deeply and creates strong relationships that provide detailed feedback.
Real-World Example
Reddit founders created fake accounts to populate content. Instagram founders went to coffee shops in LA and SF showing people the app. Tinder founders went to college parties and fraternities to get both sides of the market. Pinterest founders reached out to design bloggers personally. Each conversation taught them something new about user needs.
How to Apply
Map where your target users spend time (online and offline) and go there. Start with your personal network, but don't stop there. Join communities where your users gather. Offer to solve their problem for free initially. Track not just sign-ups, but engagement and retention. Use each conversation to refine your understanding of the problem and solution.