Solopreneurship for Software Developers
SocLeads is a SaaS platform developed by Evgenii Anikin that addresses a common challenge in modern business development: finding quality leads on social media.
The tool specializes in scraping contact information (emails and phone numbers) from major social platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google Maps.
This automation solution helps businesses and marketers streamline their lead-generation process across multiple social media platforms from a single dashboard.
The platform’s financial journey is particularly impressive:
-Achieved $7,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) within just 8 months of launch
– Generated total revenue of $43,000 as of October 2024
– Built a loyal customer base of 275+ paying users
– Demonstrated consistent growth from $0 to $7K MRR, showing strong product-market fit
Evgenii implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy, with a strong emphasis on community building and transparency:
1. Building in Public
– Regularly shared progress updates and milestones
– Created transparency by openly discussing revenue figures
– Built trust through authentic communication with potential customers
2. Social Media Engagement
– Maintained daily active presence on Reddit and Twitter
– Shared valuable insights about cold email strategies and lead generation
– Established authority in the lead generation niche through consistent content
3. Product Hunt Launch
– Leveraged the platform’s reach to gain initial traction
– Used launch momentum to build early user base
4. Additional Marketing Channels
– Collaborated with relevant influencers
– Implemented SEO strategies for organic growth
– Experimented with paid advertising
– Created educational content
– Hosted webinars for lead generation
– Focused heavily on Reddit, which proved to be the most effective channel
1. Focus on Solving a Specific Problem
– SocLeads addresses a clear pain point in business development
– The tool focuses on specific platforms where businesses need lead generation help
– Having a focused solution makes marketing and positioning easier
2. Embrace Transparency
– Building in public creates trust and credibility
– Sharing revenue numbers helps establish social proof
– Open communication about progress attracts potential customers
3. Community-First Approach
– Daily engagement with potential users builds strong relationships
– Providing valuable insights establishes authority in the niche
– Active participation in relevant communities (Reddit, Twitter) drives organic growth
4. Diversified Marketing Strategy
– Don’t rely on a single marketing channel
– Test different approaches to find what works best
– Be willing to adapt strategy based on results (like focusing more on Reddit after seeing better results)
5. Consistent Growth Over Quick Wins
– The 8-month journey to $7K MRR shows the importance of steady progress
– Building a base of 275+ paying customers indicates sustainable growth
– Regular engagement and content creation maintains momentum
Evgenii’s success demonstrates that with a focused solution, transparent communication, and consistent community engagement, it’s possible to build a profitable SaaS business in under a year.
The key lies in solving a specific problem, building trust through transparency, and maintaining active engagement with your target audience.
You can follow Evgenii’s journey on Twitter or you can try out SocLeads here.