Here's how I got my first paid 5 customers for KAppMaker

So even before my product was ready, I created a simple waitlist about a month ahead of time. I shared it on LinkedIn and Twitter, but I’m more active on LinkedIn, especially in the Kotlin Multiplatform and tech blogging space. Only 10 people initially signed up for the waitlist.

Then, I used my own boilerplate code to build and publish both the Android and iOS app in just 5 days. The app had all the essential features like authentication, in-app purchases, notifications, and more. After publishing, I shared the progress on LinkedIn again, mentioning that I built it using my boilerplate. That post got more attention, and 15 more people joined the waitlist.

Here’s the key: just before I announced KAppMaker, I sent the product link to all 25 people on the waitlist, offering them a 90% discount as a thank you. I also shared on LinkedIn that the waitlist subscribers had already received their discount, and encouraged others to join before the product went public to get the same deal. You won’t believe it, but the waitlist doubled in just one day, with 35 new people signing up, bringing the total to 60.

From those 60 people, 5 paid for the product and shared feedback with me, which was a huge win for me as a solo developer.

So the big takeaway: always create a teaser or waitlist before launching, and share it multiple times on your networks. It really works!