From To-Do to Done: The Inspiring Journey of iDoneThis and Its Founders
Company profile
Company business details
Motivation to build the product
The founders were motivated by the need to create a tool that shifts the focus from what remains to be done to what has already been accomplished. They recognized that traditional to-do lists often lead to feelings of inadequacy and wanted to foster a more positive approach to productivity.Problem that their product solves
iDoneThis solves the problem of keeping team members informed about each other's progress and productivity. The end users are individuals and teams who need to track their daily accomplishments and foster accountability within their groups. Solving this problem is important as it enhances team collaboration and morale by recognizing achievements.Their unfair advantage
iDoneThis's unfair advantage lies in its unique focus on completed tasks rather than pending ones, which helps users feel accomplished and motivated, setting it apart from traditional productivity tools.Strategies
Pre-Launch (Product Development & MVP)
Hacker News Launch
Walter and his co-founder posted their project, I Done This, on Hacker News, which is a popular platform for tech enthusiasts. This initial post garnered a few hundred users, which was a significant milestone for them. The post was concise and aimed at attracting early adopters, and it was this exposure that helped them gain their first 600 users. The success of this launch was further amplified when the Next Web picked up the story, leading to even more sign-ups.
Launch Stage
Media Outreach for Growth
After gaining initial traction, Walter and his team actively pitched their product to various media outlets. They crafted concise emails highlighting their unique value proposition and notable users, which included prominent entrepreneurs. This strategy led to significant media coverage, particularly from Lifehacker, which helped them grow from 600 to 6,000 users. The outreach was not just about getting published but also about building relationships with influential figures in the industry.
Content Marketing
Walter Chen leveraged content marketing as a primary strategy to grow iDoneThis. He began by writing blog posts for the company blog, which gained significant traction and drove spikes in user sign-ups. The success of these posts encouraged him to continue producing content, leading to tens of thousands of views and a growing user base. This approach was inspired by his interactions with Leo from Buffer, who shared insights on effective content strategies. Walter's commitment to content marketing was further solidified when he hired talented writers to help scale their content efforts.
Growth Stage
Content Marketing Focus
Walter emphasized the importance of content marketing as a primary growth strategy. They decided to focus on creating valuable content that resonated with their audience rather than pursuing viral growth tactics that had previously failed. This involved writing blog posts that highlighted the benefits of their product and shared insights on productivity. The content strategy proved effective, leading to increased traffic and user engagement, ultimately contributing to their revenue growth.
Iterative Content Strategy
To scale their content marketing efforts, Walter and his team adopted an iterative approach. They identified successful storylines and themes that resonated with their audience and focused on producing more content around those topics. This method allowed them to refine their messaging and improve engagement, as they learned what worked best through trial and error. By concentrating on a few key ideas, they were able to maximize their content's impact.
Learn more about iDoneThis
How Inbound Marketing Generated $20,000/Month for iDoneThis: Insights from Founder Walter Chen
