Every new developer dreams of their first thousand users, the moment when momentum finally kicks in. But you don’t need a thousand people to get started. You just need ten.
Those first ten users are more valuable than you think. They’ll give you the most honest feedback, share your product with friends, and help you know what direction to take before you invest heavily in time and money. In many cases, they’ll become your earliest superfans, the ones who stick around for years.
Build Relationships, Not Just Numbers
Your goal isn’t to collect users. It’s to create relationships.
Early adopters can help you refine your messaging, fix bugs, and identify what makes your software valuable. They’ll tell you what’s confusing, what’s exciting, and what they want more of.
Personally invite a handful of musicians, producers, or friends to try your early version. Ask for feedback, listen carefully, and act on their suggestions.
When people see their input reflected in your product, they feel like they are part of its creation. They get a sense of ownership and that’s the foundation of loyalty.
Small Communities Create Loyal Customers
Instead of chasing big numbers focus on building a small but passionate group of users who genuinely care about your success?
When you give real attention to a few people, something powerful happens, they start to feel seen. They become part of your story. Those early users don’t just use your software; they root for it. They share it with others not because you asked them to, but because they’re proud to be part of its journey. That’s how strong communities and strong brands are built.
Delight ten people, and they’ll help you reach the next hundred. Earn the trust of that hundred, and the thousand will follow naturally. Growth built on relationships is slower at first, but far more durable in the long run.