Distribution Intelligence
Complete Distribution
Resource Library
Bannerbear
How Bannerbear grew bootstrapped to $30K MRR using SEO, build in public, and free tools. The pattern behind an API-first solo founder's distribution stack.
Cluely
The cluely saas growth strategy used controversy as a distribution engine across 19 channels to hit $1M ARR. The mechanism, the lessons, and what not to copy.
68 Apps Pattern
DistributionMarket analyzed 68 bootstrapped SaaS apps. These are the distribution patterns that appear repeatedly across every app at $100K ARR.
Plausible Analytics
Plausible built to $1M ARR bootstrapped using three channels and zero paid ads. Here are the patterns behind each one.
ScreenshotOne
ScreenshotOne crossed the $100K MRR band bootstrapped, solo, and without a sales team. Here is the distribution stack behind a screenshot API that compounds.
ShipFast
ShipFast bootstrapped growth decoded: 15 channels, 32 tactics, and the build-in-public engine that took Marc Lou from broke to $100K MRR without paid ads.
Starter Story
Starter Story reached the $1M-10M ARR band by stacking SEO, founder interview content, YouTube, and a newsletter. The distribution mechanics behind a bootstrapped media-to-SaaS flywheel.
Testimonial.to
Testimonial.to crossed $100K MRR bootstrapped by turning its own product into its best distribution channel. Here are the patterns behind each move.
TypingMind
TypingMind's typingmind saas launch strategy: $22K in seven days using only Twitter, a #1 Product Hunt launch day, and 85% margins built solo.
Nomad List
Nomad list pieter levels growth explained: how a public spreadsheet became a $1M ARR business using audience-first distribution, not paid ads.
Community-Led Growth
Community led growth bootstrapped saas guide. How to join existing communities, contribute before promoting, and what CLG looks like from $0-10K to $100K.
Hacker News Launch
Hacker news launch strategy for bootstrapped SaaS founders. What makes HN amplify vs reject a post, Show HN vs Ask HN, and how 10 of 68 apps used it.
Indie Hackers
Indie hackers saas distribution strategy: product pages, milestone posts, forum tactics, and when IH works vs when founders should move on.
Slack Communities
Slack communities b2b saas distribution guide. How to find the right Slack groups for your ICP, the member-first protocol, and what post types get traction vs removed.
LinkedIn Organic
LinkedIn organic is the highest-converting free channel for B2B SaaS at the $10K to $100K MRR stage. Here is how the mechanism works and what it requires.
LinkedIn Post Types
LinkedIn post types for SaaS inbound differ sharply in reach, engagement, and lead quality. Here is which format to use and when, grounded in data.
LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn profile setup for SaaS founders is the highest-leverage step before posting. Here is what each section needs to convert a visitor into a conversation.
When Paid Works
When paid ads work for bootstrapped SaaS comes down to 3 prerequisites. Data from 68 bootstrapped apps shows exactly when to run ads and when to wait.
Long-tail SEO
Long tail SEO for new saas domains with zero DA: why question-format, data-backed content beats generic posts, and how to pick keywords no large site will publish.
SEO vs Paid Ads
SEO vs paid ads for bootstrapped SaaS depends on your stage. See which channel wins at $0-10K, $10K-100K, and $1M+ using data from 68 bootstrapped apps.
When to Start SEO
When to start SEO for bootstrapped SaaS: data from 68 apps shows 92% of SEO-using founders waited until after $10K MRR. Here is why that timing works.
Product Hunt
Does product hunt work for b2b saas? 27 of 68 bootstrapped apps used it. Here is what the data shows about traffic, conversions, and when it actually works.
Reddit Organic
Reddit organic b2b saas founders: learn the contribute-first rule, how to pick subreddits, and what gets accounts banned. Data from 68 bootstrapped apps.
Build in Public
Build in public results saas founders debate endlessly. We tracked 43 of 68 bootstrapped apps that used it. Here is what the data shows about who it works for.
X Organic
X organic b2b saas founders: 46 of 68 bootstrapped apps in our database used X as a distribution channel. Here is what the mechanics actually look like.
Channel Transition
saas channel transition 10k mrr: data from 68 bootstrapped apps shows exactly which channels expand, which emerge, and which to retire after $10K MRR.
Paid Ads After PMF
paid ads after product market fit saas: the 3 prerequisites, where to start, how to budget, and the signals that tell you paid is working vs wasting money.
Bootstrapped Marketing
Bootstrapped SaaS marketing on no budget follows a specific channel sequence. Learn what 68 bootstrapped apps used from pre-launch through $100K ARR.
Content Before Product
Content strategy before SaaS launch: why publishing 60-90 days early converts 10x better at launch, what to write, and the cadence that actually builds an audience.
ICP Research
SaaS ICP research before launch: three methods that work, what makes an ICP tight enough to build for, and when to stop researching and start building.
Waitlist That Converts
Saas waitlist that converts: the referral mechanism, activation email sequence, and minimum signup count you need for a successful launch day. Data from 68 apps.
Validate Before Building
Saas distribution validation before building: test your channel in communities, run fake-door pages, and read signals that prove real demand. Data from 68 apps.
Channel Mix at $1M
The saas channel mix at 1m arr looks radically different from early stage. Data from 26 apps shows no single-channel winners past $1M ARR.
Distribution at Scale
Which SaaS distribution channels work at $100K to $1M MRR? Data from 17 bootstrapped apps shows the shift from founder-led to system-led growth.
Build in Public Data
Build in public first customers data from 68 bootstrapped apps. What types of posts get customers, what gets noise, and how long before it compounds.
Channels 0-10K MRR
Data from 68 bootstrapped apps shows which channels appear most often at the earliest revenue stage, and which ones are almost never the primary driver.
Community First
Community first SaaS distribution at zero MRR: how long to contribute, which communities to join, how to spot your ICP, and the conversion math that justifies it.
Distribution Anti-Patterns
Bootstrapped SaaS distribution anti patterns repeat across founders: wrong channel, wrong stage, wrong order. Data from 68 apps shows the 6 patterns to avoid.
First 10 Customers
First 10 saas customers without outbound: a tactical playbook covering warm network, community commenters, and free user conversion. Data from 68 apps.
Why Paid Fails Early
Paid ads fail early stage SaaS because the funnel is unproven and CAC never decreases. Here is the math that shows why $2K/month in ads rarely survives.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth early stage saas is your highest-converting channel. Here is how to engineer it instead of waiting for it to happen.