For first users, should founders post content or reach out directly?
An early-stage internet business can try to get its first users in two main ways. One path is building a by posting on , writing founder updates, and showing the behind-the-scenes process.
This clearly works for some , but it may be less effective now because so many people are doing the same thing at once. The other path is outbound, which means directly contacting people who might want the product through or cold DMs.
This feels less modern and less shareable than public content, but it may still work quietly. The core question is whether outbound is dead, whether combining it with content works better, and which one an early founder should focus on if there is only time for one.
Key points
- Early are choosing between content and for their first users.
- work means social posts, public updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
- Outbound means reaching out first through or cold DMs.
- Content can build long-term trust, while can create faster .
- The best focus depends on whether the immediate goal is audience growth or first-user conversations.