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What is the best way for a social media startup to get new users, aside from friends and family?

I built an app for sharing useful advice/tips/perspective (like a cross between wikihow and instagram), now I need to beef up the content and user base. Is it easy/possible to piggyback off current users' email contact lists or Facebook friends, etc?

Can I rely on networking and word-of-mouth, or will I need to raise money for a marketing budget?

Social Media Strategy

Early-stage Startups

Social Entrepreneurship

Shahab Khan answered

Always look for the free avenues first before putting down any dollars as you are running lean as it is. Look to on-line forums, groups in your target market that are discussing the subject area and begin engaging and sharing insights to show credibility for your offering. As you move forward, begin to request advice in developing the basic product offering. You can then start providing incentives like entries into a draw to this focused target market, as opposed to general contact lists that get very little conversions (unless it is a targeted e-mail list). This should get you started.