How to get the first users on B2B platform?

[Jay Liu]

Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs! We're the team behind BossNet, a platform designed to link startups with their ideal clients, suppliers, and partners.

Our algorithms intelligently match companies with ideal clients and suppliers, streamlining the process of finding meaningful connections. With a user-friendly interface, BossNet offers a seamless experience for users to create profiles, connect with others, and explore opportunities. Our AI Needs Survey simplifies the matchmaking process – companies simply provide their needs, and our AI does the rest, ensuring tailored matches for every business need. From digital design to marketing, BossNet caters to a wide range of industries, making it accessible to startups of all sizes.

We're on a mission to grow BossNet and make it a valuable resource for startups like yours. But, we're in need of some guidance on getting our first users. Here's what we've tried:

• Reaching out to small UK startup companies on LinkedIn and connecting with them.
• Sending personalized emails to explain the benefits of joining BossNet.
• Offering to help them find clients and suppliers through our platform.
• Identifying alternative companies and introducing them to BossNet via their followers.

We'd really appreciate your input! What strategies have you found effective in acquiring your first users or customers? Any tips or advice you can share would be incredibly helpful.

 

[Ozzy]

When Duane launched KashFlow across UKBF in the years past he gave the software away completely free for life to the first users in return for them giving feedback to help him improve the software. His customers became his best beta testers.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I'd certainly agree with @Ozzy here - you need to get some incentivised beta-testers and flag-wavers; ideally ones who will resonate with your target audience.

As a personal opinion, you need to do some work on your marketing copy, because, to put it mildly, it's not terribly empathetic or compelling. (Dare I say, it feels like it was written by a machine?)

 

[Ozzy]

Dare I say, it feels like it was written by a machine?

...and that is the cut-down version, I edited the post to reduce the amount of AI text and gave the OP a chance as could see English wasn't their first language so may have used AI to help write it - but yep that copy would not resonate with me.

 

[fisicx]

Advertising works. Spend some cash on banners, promotions, TikTok and anywhere else your target audience hangs out.

You also need to sort out what you mean by startup.

A mate has just started out as a patio cleaner (pressure washing). How is bossnet going to help him?

 

[fisicx]

And there are already a whole load of bossnet companies. Can’t even find yours on Google.

 

[Jay Liu]

I'd certainly agree with @Ozzy here - you need to get some incentivised beta-testers and flag-wavers; ideally ones who will resonate with your target audience.

As a personal opinion, you need to do some work on your marketing copy, because, to put it mildly, it's not terribly empathetic or compelling. (Dare I say, it feels like it was written by a machine?)

Thank you for the feedback. But can I ask what you mean by the marketing copy? On our website or the social channels? Or you are referring to the post here?

 

[Ozzy]

Thank you for the feedback. But can I ask what you mean by the marketing copy? On our website or the social channels? Or you are referring to the post here?

I was referring to what you wrote in your original post, but it would be fair for me to assume you use that same copy everywhere, which would include everywhere else. You need to connect with your audience, and the tone of your original message alienates rather than connect.

For example;

Our algorithms intelligently match companies with ideal clients and suppliers, streamlining the process of finding meaningful connections.

^^^ This sentence does not resonate with anyone. It's just AI AI-generated waffle that might make a machine feel impressed, but no business owner will read this and think 'great'.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thank you for the feedback. But can I ask what you mean by the marketing copy? On our website or the social channels? Or you are referring to the post here?

I was refering to your opening post, which didn't tempt me to look at any social channels.

The absolute basic rule is to talk to your audience in language they can relate to (applies when seeking advice as well as selling).

 

[fisicx]

Thank you for the feedback. But can I ask what you mean by the marketing copy? On our website or the social channels? Or you are referring to the post here

What website? Can’t find your platform on any search engine.

There is something called bossnet.io but it took so long to load I gave up waiting.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

When Duane launched KashFlow across UKBF in the years past he gave the software away completely free for life to the first users in return for them giving feedback to help him improve the software. His customers became his best beta testers.

And I will soon be doing the same, funnily, with another accounting product!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Ow many suppliers do you have on the platform already?