The best way imo to get early sales for your startup is to use your network. Look at people you directly know who have the problem. I feel like this should be enough to get your first customer or two. After that I'd look at warm introductions.
I've found that in today's world, people are fatigued with inbound email and LinkedIn and so even if you have something valuable, getting someone to listen can be hard. So I think warm intros help at least get to the demo stage.
You might not think you're super connected but via six degrees of separation, you should be able to get a dozen or so demos booked via people who know people in your ICP.
If that doesn't work for your first ten customers (or first customer if enterprise) then you have to seriously question if you're working on the right problem.
You mentioned offering deals or rewards for trying out your product. I recommend against rewarding people for just trying your product. Because if the pain is not so great that they are willing to try out the product on their own, you're probably working on the wrong problem.
I've found that in today's world, people are fatigued with inbound email and LinkedIn and so even if you have something valuable, getting someone to listen can be hard. So I think warm intros help at least get to the demo stage.
You might not think you're super connected but via six degrees of separation, you should be able to get a dozen or so demos booked via people who know people in your ICP.
If that doesn't work for your first ten customers (or first customer if enterprise) then you have to seriously question if you're working on the right problem.
You mentioned offering deals or rewards for trying out your product. I recommend against rewarding people for just trying your product. Because if the pain is not so great that they are willing to try out the product on their own, you're probably working on the wrong problem.