How 2 Founders Sold Auto-Reply Tool ReplyGuy for Six Figures in 1 Year
Who is Alexandr Belogubov?π
Alexandr Belogubov is an indie developer from Russia known for launching 26 projects over four years, including ReplyGuy, with a focus on developing skills and adapting to market trends.
What problem does Replyguy solve?π
ReplyGuy helps businesses respond to online mentions automatically, saving time and ensuring they stay engaged with their audience without missing important interactions.
How did Alexandr come up with the idea for Replyguy?π
When Alexandr Belogubov first started thinking about ReplyGuy, he was reflecting on a previous business venture related to mention tracking. During this time, several clients expressed their interest in an auto-reply feature for mentions. This caught his attention and lingered in his mind as an unmet need in the market.
By September 2023, Alexandr decided to explore this idea further. He initially experimented by manually handling the replies, which allowed him to quickly test the concept without a full automation system. Even though it was challenging to kickstart this process, it helped him understand the nuances of what users were looking for.
As he gathered feedback and initial customer interest, Alexandr realized he was onto something valuable. The manual process not only validated the demand but also gave him insights to refine the product. This early-stage experimentation underscored the importance of staying adaptive and responsive to the initial users' needs, shaping ReplyGuy into the successful product it became.
How did Alexandr build the initial version of Replyguy?π
In September 2023, after recalling client requests for an auto-reply feature, the founder began developing Replyguy. Utilizing pre-existing functionality for mention tracking, they initially faced difficulties in programming replies, leading to a manual MVP where replies were posted manually. Over time, the automation process of replies was gradually implemented, although challenges remained with AI accuracy in selecting mentions, requiring occasional manual intervention. The initial development phase was labor-intensive, starting with manual efforts and evolving to a fully automated system by December 2023. This iterative process, marked by technical challenges and manual workarounds, set the foundation for Replyguy's eventual growth and refinement.
What were the initial startup costs for Replyguy?π
- Domain and Branding: The co-founder invested a little more than $1,000 to acquire and register the premium domain "replyguy.com," create a logo, and record a demo video.
- Marketing Investment: A potential buyer turned co-founder offered to invest $10,000 in marketing for a share in the project.
How did Alexandr launch Replyguy and get initial traction?π
Twitter Engagementπ
Alexandr Belogubov initially got the word out about his product, Replyze, using Twitter. He used his own personal Twitter account to manually post replies and mentions about the product. This approach helped him attract the first couple of paying clients directly from Twitter interactions.
Why it worked: Engaging directly with potential customers on Twitter allowed Alexandr to build a personal connection and trust, which is crucial in the early days of a business. This hands-on approach made it easier to understand customer needs and quickly make tweaks to the product based on feedback.
Product Hunt Re-launchπ
After an initial unsuccessful launch as Replyze, Alexandr rebranded the product as ReplyGuy and prepared meticulously for a re-launch on Product Hunt. This time, the product managed to take either 7th or 8th place, which was instrumental in drawing attention and attracting traffic. Within four days after the Product Hunt re-launch, they gained about 30 new paying customers.
Why it worked: Re-launching with a more appealing brand and having the initial Product Hunt presence created a sense of momentum and visibility. Even a mid-range ranking yielded increased customer interest and engagement, leading to sustained growth over the following months.
TAAFT AI Tool Catalogπ
In February 2024, ReplyGuy was listed in the TAAFT AI tool catalog, initially for free in the "Just launched" section, and later through paid ad space in the "Featured" column. This strategy was quite effective in attracting new clients, including several high-value annual plan customers.
Why it worked: Being listed in a specialized tool catalog directly reached the target audience actively seeking AI solutions. By also investing in strategically placed advertising within this platform, they maximized their exposure to potential customers who were already interested in AI products.
What was the growth strategy for Replyguy and how did they scale?π
Product Hunt Launchπ
The rebranded ReplyGuy launched on Product Hunt and secured a spot as the 7th or 8th most popular product for a day. This launch, occurring in late January 2024, was pivotal as it generated significant initial traffic and brought around 30 new paying clients within the first few days. Additionally, the momentum from this launch continued to draw customers for months.
Why it worked: Product Hunt is a popular platform for tech enthusiasts and early adopters, which helped ReplyGuy gain visibility among its target audience. The buzz created by the Product Hunt launch effectively leveraged the platform's community to drive product awareness and attract new users looking for innovative solutions.
Twitter Engagementπ
During the early stages of ReplyGuy's growth, initial clients came from the founder's engagement on Twitter. This involved posting replies manually and engaging with relevant audiences to stimulate interest in the product.
Why it worked: Twitter engagement allowed for direct interaction with potential customers, building trust and creating a community around the product. By actively participating in conversations and responding to mentions, the founder was able to attract early adopters interested in automated reply solutions.
TAAFT AI Tool Catalogπ
ReplyGuy gained additional traction by leveraging the TAAFT AI tool catalog. Initially added to the "Just launched" section for free, they later invested in ad space within the "Featured" column, which successfully attracted new clients, including those opting for expensive annual plans.
Why it worked: The TAAFT AI tool catalog provided exposure to a targeted audience interested in AI tools, effectively driving high-quality traffic and conversions. By strategically positioning the product in both free and paid listings, ReplyGuy expanded its reach and engaged potential customers within a niche market.
Manual Promotion Methodπ
A uniquely effective promotion method, developed by the co-founder, involved manual actions that were executed daily, likely by a hired Virtual Assistant (VA). This method proved successful despite being time-intensive and was employed alongside other strategies.
Why it worked: This method was likely successful due to its consistency and personal touch, differentiating ReplyGuy in a crowded digital space. Though specifics weren't detailed, manual promotion often leads to more personalized engagement and the development of a loyal customer base.
What's the pricing strategy for Replyguy?π
Replyguy offers an auto-reply service with a pricing range from $49/month for basic plans to $199/month for advanced plans, featuring additional automation options.
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Replyguy?π
- Find the Right Partner: Teaming up with a co-founder who complemented my skills shifted the trajectory of ReplyGuy. A developer combined with a marketer led to the product's success.
- Embrace Rebranding: The decision to rebrand from Replyze to ReplyGuy and adapt marketing strategies opened new opportunities and drew more attention, proving the power of a fresh outlook.
- Adapt and Automate: Initially handling replies manually, we gradually automated the process, showing the importance of evolving systems to enhance efficiency and scale operations.
- Use Creative Promotion: Despite setbacks with traditional advertising, a creative and manual promotion approach envisioned by my partner proved effective, underscoring the value of inventive marketing.
- Navigate Challenges Head-On: Facing account bans and legal scares taught the importance of resilience and the need to pivot strategies when encountering roadblocks in business growth.
Replyguy Acquisition: How much did Replyguy sell for and what was the acquisition price?π
ReplyGuy was sold in October 2024.
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More about Replyguy:π
Who is the owner of Replyguy?π
Alexandr Belogubov is the founder of Replyguy.
When did Alexandr Belogubov start Replyguy?π
2024
What is Alexandr Belogubov's net worth?π
Alexandr Belogubov's business makes an average of $8.33K/month.
How much money has Alexandr Belogubov made from Replyguy?π
Alexandr Belogubov started the business in 2024, and currently makes an average of $100K/year.
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