Here are the strategies I used to get my first 1000 users on my app as an indie app developer

If you’re building an app and wondering how to actually get users, you quickly realize something uncomfortable:

Building now is the easy part. Distribution is hard.

So instead of guessing, I mapped out every channel I used to test and more importantly, how I approached each one.

Short-form content is the fastest feedback loop

Right now, TikTok and Instagram Reels are probably the highest-leverage organic channels available to indie developers.

But posting your app features isn’t enough. That kind of content dies instantly.

What actually works is structure:

• A strong hook in the first 1–2 seconds
• Fast pacing and cuts
• Subtitles (non-negotiable)
• A clear payoff

That’s why I was building my app, BlitzCut - to automate subtitles and remove dead space. Not just as a product, but because it directly supports this distribution strategy.

The goal here isn’t just “posting content.” It’s finding what resonates. One good video can bring thousands of users, but more importantly, it tells you what messaging works.

And once something works organically, that’s when it gets interesting.

Organic first, then paid amplification

Most developers get this backwards. They start with ads and burn money on unproven creatives.

I’m doing the opposite.

If a video performs well organically: views, comments, people asking for the app I’ll turn that creative into ads.

Instead of guessing, I’m amplifying something the algorithm already proved works.

There’s also a practical constraint here: Meta ads need data. Roughly ~50 conversions in a 7-day window before the algorithm stabilizes. That usually means committing a few hundred dollars minimum.

So the plan is simple:

• Test messaging organically
• Identify winners
• Then scale with ads

Not before.

ASO is what determines whether you exist or not

Even if someone hears about your app, they still have to find it.

That’s where App Store Optimization (ASO) comes in.

The biggest mistake is guessing keywords. I’m using tools like AppTweak and Sensor Tower to find what people are actually searching for, not what I think sounds right.

Competing for “video editor” is unrealistic. Competing for something like “auto subtitles” or “caption generator” is much more viable.

Then it becomes a placement game:

• Title (highest weight)
• Subtitle
• Description

Localization is another lever you can pull.

Apple lets you target multiple localizations per storefront, each with its own keyword field. That means you’re not just optimizing once you’re multiplying your surface area.

Even without fully translating the app, localized listings can significantly expand reach.

And beyond keywords, conversion rate matters just as much. If users don’t download after landing on your page, rankings drop. So screenshots, preview videos, and positioning have to be tight.

ASO isn’t a one-time setup. It’s a compounding system.

SEO captures intent outside the app store

People don’t just search in app stores. They search on Google.

Things like:

• “Best app for subtitles”
• “How to remove silence from videos”

That’s high-intent traffic.

So instead of a basic landing page, I’m building content around those searches:

• Tutorials
• Problem-based articles
• Comparison pages

For example:

• “How to add captions in 2025”
• “BlitzCut vs CapCut”

If I control those pages, I control how the product is positioned during decision-making.

SEO is slower, but once it works, it’s consistent and essentially free.

Reddit works if you don’t act like a marketer

Reddit is one of the best places to reach highly specific audiences.

It’s also one of the fastest ways to destroy your credibility if you’re too promotional.

The approach is simple:

• Participate first
• Share experiences, not pitches
• Mention the product only when it genuinely fits

A single well-placed post or comment can drive a surprising amount of traffic but only if it feels authentic.

LinkedIn is underrated (for the right products)

LinkedIn isn’t for every app, especially if you’re purely B2C.

But for anything with a B2B angle, it can be extremely effective.

I’ve seen examples where LinkedIn drives the majority of leads with relatively low impressions compared to other platforms.

My plan is to experiment with:

• Posting insights and lessons
• Testing how a product launch video performs
• Framing the app in a way that makes sense for professionals

Even if it’s not a perfect fit yet, it’s worth testing.

Email still works especially early

Email is one of the few channels you actually own.

I started collecting emails early, even without a huge audience. The plan is to use that list for targeted updates like notifying people interested in a macOS version.

Beyond that, there’s also cold outreach.

Sending personalized emails or DMs to potential users especially early on can be one of the fastest ways to get initial traction.

Generic messages don’t work. Specific, relevant ones do.

Build in public (with realistic expectations)

I’ve been sharing my progress on X what I’m building, what’s working, what isn’t.

This builds an audience over time, especially among other builders.

But there’s a limitation: if your product isn’t for builders, this audience doesn’t always convert directly.

So the challenge is figuring out how to translate that visibility into actual users possibly through video or more user-focused storytelling.

YouTube might be the highest-leverage long-term channel

This is where I think my app has the most natural fit.

I’m already using BlitzCut to edit my own videos, which means I can:

• Demonstrate it in real workflows
• Build content around the problems it solves
• Create a feedback loop between product and content

Unlike short-form, YouTube compounds differently. Videos can bring traffic for months or years.

Everything ties back to distribution

What this really comes down to is not doing everything, but testing strategically.

Some channels will fail. Some will work better than expected.

The goal is to find a few that:

• Fit the product
• Fit how I naturally create
• Actually convert

And double down on those.