Context: Agentic Revenue Operating System — Graph → Memory → Agents. Communities and forums are Revenue Graph signal sources for Scout, not the product category. Start with the Learn hub or hire Scout.
The first ten users are not a branding exercise. They are proof that a narrow group will change behavior (pay, switch, or invest time) for what you built.
This guide emphasizes finding them in public conversations—where people already ask for tools like yours. For tactics on Reddit and Hacker News, read Scout channel guide. Wavly helps when you want those scans continuous and scored.
1. Define "user" for this stage
Pick one:
- Paid — money changed hands.
- Active — they use the product weekly on a path to pay.
- Design partner — clear agreement on feedback for discount or equity.
Do not mix definitions mid-flight or you will lie to yourself about progress.
2. List 30 people or companies who match one sharp ICP
If you cannot name thirty, your ICP is too broad—or you need to pick a wedge (one role, one stack, one geography).
3. Run ten problem interviews
Ask about past behavior, not hypotheticals:
- What did they use before?
- What broke?
- What would they pay to make disappear?
No pitch deck—just notes.
4. Spend 50% of acquisition time in public threads
Use the weekly loop from the pillar guide:
- search phrases,
- shortlist threads,
- two quality replies,
- track outcomes.
Pair with how to reply on Reddit so you stay on the right side of community norms.
5. Ask for intros from anyone who says "this is useful"
One line: "Who else on your team cares about this?" or "Is there another founder fighting the same workflow?"
6. After user #5, tighten onboarding
Remove steps that do not lead to aha. Measure time-to-value like a feature.
7. After user #10, decide channel focus
Look at which sources produced those users:
- intros,
- Reddit/HN,
- SEO,
- partnerships.
Double the top channel; cut the bottom ruthlessly.
When to use Wavly
When manual thread hunting is working but stealing hours, use Wavly to run Scout → Closer with Memory attribution so your next ten users come from the same shapes of conversation—just faster.
Links: Home · Revenue Operating System · How to find early users
Frequently asked
Is ten users enough to learn?
Yes, if they are in your true ICP. Ten random signups teach less than five who match the problem and budget you need.
What if I hate selling?
Treat it as diagnosis: you are learning whether the problem and wording resonate. Conversations reduce the need for pushy scripts.