cold-start-strategy

# Strategies: Cold Start Guides cold start strategy for AI/SaaS products: getting first users and traction when you have zero. The cold start problem is overcoming the chicken-and-egg barrier; most startups fail due to poor distribution, not product quality. For **indie hacker** context (first 100 users, Build in Public, Pieter Levels tactics), see **indie-hacker-strategy**. **When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output. ## Initial Assessment **Check for project context first:** If `.claude/project-context.md` or `.cursor/project-context.md` exists, read it for product, audience, and positioning. Identify: 1. **Product type**: AI tool, SaaS, app, B2B, B2C 2. **Target audience**: Where they spend time 3. **Budget**: Zero, minimal ($500–1K), or moderate 4. **Timeline**: Pre-launch, launch week, post-launch ## Cold Start Channels | Channel | Audience | Use | Notes | |---------|----------|-----|-------| | **Product Hunt** | Indie makers, early adopters | Launch-day buzz; community upvotes | ~3% conversion; traffic spike; see **product-hunt-launch** | | **AppSumo / LTD** | Deal seekers, early adopters | Lifetime deal for fast revenue, validation | Quick cash; price-sensitive users; see **discount-marketing-strategy** for LTD structure, trade-offs | | **Reddit** | Subreddit-specific | r/Alph...