Sublaunch

How Sublaunch Hit $36K MRR by Revolutionizing Telegram Channel Monetization

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About
Business

Julien Levallois

Founder, Sublaunch

$36.4K

revenue/mo

Founders

Sublaunch

sublaunch.com

from Baliwag, Bulacan, Philippines

started January 2023

$36,385

revenue/mo

Founders

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Monthly Revenue

$36.4K

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2023

Customer

B2B

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2023

Customer

B2B

Who is Julien Levallois?🔗

Julien Levallois, founder of Sublaunch, hails from Bali and Dubai and has successfully identified a niche for monetizing Telegram channels, leveraging his keen entrepreneurial insight and ability to create a self-sustaining business model.

What problem does Sublaunch solve?🔗

Sublaunch solves the problem of monetizing Telegram channels by enabling channel owners to charge subscriptions, turning their community engagement into a steady income stream.

How did Julien come up with the idea for Sublaunch?🔗

Julien Levallois came up with the idea for Sublaunch by observing a major challenge faced by Telegram channel owners: the difficulty of effectively monetizing their content. Telegram had grown into a bustling platform for diverse communities, but most channel admins struggled to generate substantial revenue. Recognizing this, Julien envisioned a tool that could introduce a new way for these creators to earn money through subscriptions.

Driven by this vision, he set out to develop a solution that would be both user-friendly and effective. Julien's approach was methodical; he began by reaching out directly to potential users, presenting Sublaunch as a way to address their monetization issues. These initial discussions not only validated the need for such a tool but also provided invaluable insights that helped refine his idea.

Despite the early challenge of gaining clients, Julien's commitment to understanding the user's perspective and continuously iterating on their feedback was key to overcoming hurdles. Through this process, he learned that aligning a platform's success with its users' financial success could create a powerful growth loop. His story is a testament to the importance of listening to user feedback and addressing real problems with simple, effective solutions.

How did Julien build the initial version of Sublaunch?🔗

Julien Levallois meticulously developed Sublaunch by first building a prototype Telegram bot that would facilitate channel monetization via subscriptions. He used a combination of Python for the bot development and integrated with Telegram's API to set up a paywall system for channel access. The initial version of the product was built in a few months, relying heavily on cloud services to keep costs low—Julien managed the entire operation on a single non-dedicated shared server costing just $15 per month. The build process was challenging as it required balancing simplicity for end-users with robust backend integrations to manage subscriptions and payments effectively. Despite the technical and resource constraints, the lean approach enabled rapid iterations and adjustments based on user feedback, which proved essential for refining the tool into its successful current form.

What were the initial startup costs for Sublaunch?🔗

"- Server Cost: Julien manages the operation on a single non-dedicated shared server, which costs $15 per month."

How did Julien launch Sublaunch and get initial traction?🔗

Cold DMs🔗

In the early days of Sublaunch, the founder, Julien Levallois, reached out directly to potential clients by sending cold direct messages (DMs). He identified Telegram channel owners who would benefit from monetizing their channels and explained how Sublaunch could help them earn through subscriptions. This method involved sending individualized messages explaining the tool and its advantages in a personalized manner.

Why it worked: Cold DMs allowed Julien to personally connect with targeted clients. These initial personal interactions built trust and helped secure the first 15 clients, who were crucial as they began sharing success stories and promoting Sublaunch within their networks.

Unique User Links🔗

Once a new user joined Sublaunch, they received a personalized link (sublaunch.co/username) that they could share with their audience. This feature not only helped channel owners direct traffic to their monetized channels but also acted as a viral marketing tool. The ease of sharing the link encouraged existing users to promote their channels more effectively.

Why it worked: The unique links facilitated organic growth by promoting word-of-mouth marketing. This straightforward sharing method contributed to about 20% of Sublaunch's growth because it made it easy for users to promote the platform to new audiences, further enhancing its reach.

Metrics:

By December 2023, Sublaunch had 17,372 active recurring subscriptions.
This resulted in a substantial monthly revenue of about $29,341, with continued growth observed in subsequent months.

These approaches established a solid foundation for Sublaunch by effectively reaching and engaging early customers, which paved the way for further growth through organic traction.

What was the growth strategy for Sublaunch and how did they scale?🔗

Cold Direct Messages (DMs)🔗

Sublaunch started its growth journey by sending cold direct messages to potential clients. Julian Levallois, the founder, personally reached out to Telegram channel owners and explained how Sublaunch could be beneficial for them by monetizing their channels. This grassroots approach directly connected him with his target audience and helped in onboarding the first 15 clients.

Why it worked: This method was effective because it established a personal connection with channel owners and demonstrated the value of Sublaunch firsthand. The initial batch of clients, satisfied with the platform's benefits, began sharing their success stories. This word-of-mouth promotion organically increased Sublaunch's credibility and reach.

Unique User Links🔗

After signing up, Sublaunch users received a unique link (e.g., sublaunch.co/username) that they could share with their audience. This feature acted as a significant promotional tool for both Sublaunch and its users.

Why it worked: The mechanism of unique links encouraged users to promote their monetized channels actively. As more people joined through these links, not only did Sublaunch's visibility increase, but it also became a form of viral marketing. This sharing method accounted for about 20% of Sublaunch's growth, creating a self-reinforcing growth cycle.

Viral Growth Loop🔗

A significant driver for Sublaunch's expansion was the viral growth loop, closely tied to the profitability of its users. As clients earned more from their Telegram channels, they naturally promoted Sublaunch, boosting its Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR).

Why it worked: This cycle capitalized on the success of the clients. Sublaunch’s pricing model supported this loop, as it offered free and paid tiers with varying transaction fees, directly linking Sublaunch's earnings to user success. This alignment incentivized users to grow their subscriptions, which subsequently increased Sublaunch’s revenue.

Cost-Efficient Operations🔗

While not a direct acquisition channel, the lean operational strategy of Sublaunch allowed Julien to maintain a high-profit margin. By operating on a shared server costing just $15 per month, with no additional major expenses, Julien ensured sustainability and profitability.

Why it worked: Keeping overhead costs low meant that more revenue could be reinvested into growth strategies without escalating operational costs. This efficient use of resources contributed to robust, financially stable growth for Sublaunch.

What's the pricing strategy for Sublaunch?🔗

Sublaunch offers a free tier with a 15% transaction fee and paid plans from $49 per month with an 8% transaction fee, aligning revenue with client success.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Sublaunch?🔗

Harness Organic Growth: Julien leveraged cold DMs and user-generated success stories to drive the organic growth of Sublaunch. This strategy underscored the power of word-of-mouth marketing and viral growth loops in building traction.
Link Revenue to Client Success: By aligning Sublaunch's pricing structure with the profitability of its clients, Julien ensured a win-win model. This created a sustainable business where growth was directly tied to clients' success, promoting mutual benefit.
Lean Operations Matter: Sublaunch's high-profit margin and minimal operational costs demonstrate the effectiveness of keeping expenses low. This lean approach allowed it to achieve significant profitability without the burden of large costs.
Focus on a Real Market Need: Identifying and solving a genuine problem—monetizing Telegram channels—was key. Offering a straightforward, efficient solution led to Sublaunch's success and highlights the importance of addressing clear market demands.
Stay Resilient and Adapt: Julien's ability to manage Sublaunch's growth while preparing for future challenges exemplifies resilience. By developing potential new features, he shows foresight and adaptability, vital traits for longevity in business.

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