# Playbooks 101

> A free library of marketing and growth hacks for scaling SaaS, apps and other online products with AI. Every hack is organised into one of four levels, from zero-budget foundations to paid scale.

## Pages

- [Home](/): All growth hacks, grouped by level.
- [Video testimonials from customers](/playbook/video-testimonials-from-customers): Full playbook - how to collect and place customer video testimonials, with real examples, scripts and tools.
- [Thank you](/thank-you): Confirmation page after saving a playbook to your inbox, with the paid weekly updates offer.

## Level 1 - Foundations

Zero-budget fundamentals every new product needs: proof, pricing clarity, launches and the first feedback loops.

- [Video testimonials from customers](/playbook/video-testimonials-from-customers): Best testimonials there are!
- [Upgrade button](/playbook/upgrade-button): Highlight the ‘upgrade’ button in your product.
- [Submit URL to directories for free traffic](/playbook/submit-url-to-directories-for-free-traffic): Add your URL to directories.
- [Survey customers](/playbook/survey-customers): Simply ask your customers.
- [Testimonials](/playbook/testimonials): Use testimonials on your website.
- [Testimonials on pricing page](/playbook/testimonials-on-pricing-page): Underrated way to remove doubts.
- [Set alerts](/playbook/set-alerts): Know when customers are stuck.
- [Show the pain points](/playbook/show-the-pain-points): Address the real pain points (before vs after).
- [SSO login](/playbook/sso-login): Add SSO login to your sign-up plan.
- [ProductHunt Alternatives](/playbook/producthunt-alternatives): Leverage on the names of competitors on PH.
- [Review sites](/playbook/review-sites): Add your product to review sites.
- [Product Hunt launch](/playbook/product-hunt-launch): Launch to the world.
- [Product updates](/playbook/product-updates): Send product updates to keep them in the loop.
- [Make it socially shareable](/playbook/make-it-socially-shareable): Spread the word!
- [Monitor Helpcenter search](/playbook/monitor-helpcenter-search): Look up what customers search for.
- [Launch on Betalist](/playbook/launch-on-betalist): Acquire beta users.
- [Listen to user feedback](/playbook/listen-to-user-feedback): Feedback > product optimization > more sales.
- [Live chat](/playbook/live-chat): Add a live chat in your product.
- [Inbox leads](/playbook/inbox-leads): Get new leads from your own inbox.
- [Increase your pricing](/playbook/increase-your-pricing): Simple hack for more revenue.
- [Create and share a Changelog](/playbook/create-and-share-a-changelog): Keep user more engaged.
- [Customized testimonials (onboarding)](/playbook/customized-testimonials-onboarding): Add (customized) testimonials to your onboarding.
- [FAQ on pricing page](/playbook/faq-on-pricing-page): Remove doubts.
- [FAQ on site](/playbook/faq-on-site): Remove friction.
- [Feedback for churn](/playbook/feedback-for-churn): Ask for feedback when customers churn.
- [Founder-led marketing](/playbook/founder-led-marketing): Build a personal brand.
- [Help center for customers](/playbook/help-center-for-customers): Create a help center with self-service resources.
- [Testimonials sign-up page](/playbook/testimonials-sign-up-page): Remove the doubts when signing up.
- [CTA: Taglines](/playbook/cta-taglines): Address time-commitment concerns.
- [Add “Credit Card Not Required”](/playbook/add-credit-card-not-required): Remove friction to sign up.
- [Add Apple Pay and Google Pay](/playbook/add-apple-pay-and-google-pay): Make signing up super easy.
- [Annual plan: make it the default option](/playbook/annual-plan-make-it-the-default-option): Instead of monthly, let users opt-in for annual.
- [Annual plan: promote it in your side bar](/playbook/annual-plan-promote-it-in-your-side-bar): Right in their face.
- [Annual plan: Provide bonus perks](/playbook/annual-plan-provide-bonus-perks): Besides 10% discount, add extra bonuses.
- [Annual plans discount](/playbook/annual-plans-discount): Annual plans discount.
- [Build in public](/playbook/build-in-public): Share what you’re building > reach more people.
- [Personal handcrafted welcome email](/playbook/personal-handcrafted-welcome-email): Stop automated welcome emails.
- [CTA: Outcome-Centred](/playbook/cta-outcome-centred): Change CTA Text From Feature To Outcome-Centred.
- [Pricing: Add Logos to Plans](/playbook/pricing-add-logos-to-plans): Let potential customers feel what plans are right for them.

## Level 2 - Traction

Content, community and product-led moves that turn a trickle of signups into repeatable traction.

- [Video tutorials](/playbook/video-tutorials): Develop video tutorials showcasing your product’s capabilities.
- [Write case studies](/playbook/write-case-studies): Show, don’t tell.
- [Use in-app messaging](/playbook/use-in-app-messaging): Onboarding hacks.
- [TikToks](/playbook/tiktoks): Create tiktoks and get views.
- [Start a blog](/playbook/start-a-blog): Tailored to your target audience's pain points.
- [Premium features (featuring)](/playbook/premium-features-featuring): Make premium features visible to all customers.
- [LinkedIn freebies](/playbook/linkedin-freebies): Release a freebie on LinkedIn.
- [Live (video) call](/playbook/live-video-call): Add a live (video) call in your product.
- [Cold email outreach](/playbook/cold-email-outreach): Cold email campaigns can work well.
- [Cold LinkedIn DM outreach](/playbook/cold-linkedin-dm-outreach): Direct dms in the inbox of potential customers.
- [Facebook Groups](/playbook/facebook-groups): Talk to potential customers.
- [Fake Scarcity Tactics](/playbook/fake-scarcity-tactics): Scarcity always works.
- [FOMO: countdown timers](/playbook/fomo-countdown-timers): Use Countdowns & Bake In Urgency.
- [FOMO marketing: beta features](/playbook/fomo-marketing-beta-features): Gate Early Access Behind Visible Usage Milestones.
- [“We miss you” campaigns](/playbook/we-miss-you-campaigns): Re-engage lapsed users with “We miss you” campaigns.

## Level 3 - Systems & AI

Compounding engines: AI-automated content, SEO plays, integrations, affiliate loops and onboarding systems.

- [Webinars](/playbook/webinars): Use webinars to demo your product.
- [Usage-based pricing tiers](/playbook/usage-based-pricing-tiers): Instead of recurring subscriptions?
- [Start a YouTube channel](/playbook/start-a-youtube-channel): Reach your audience organically.
- [Templates](/playbook/templates): Add ready-to-use templates.
- [Special Pricing: lock it in](/playbook/special-pricing-lock-it-in): Lock them in with fomo.
- [Quizzes](/playbook/quizzes): Free lead generator.
- [Scrape Competitor Reviews](/playbook/scrape-competitor-reviews): Learn from your competitors.
- [Product-led demo calls](/playbook/product-led-demo-calls): Use product-led demo calls to showcase value.
- [Product-led onboarding flow](/playbook/product-led-onboarding-flow): Let customers come to the “aha” moment sooner.
- [Medium blogging](/playbook/medium-blogging): Underrated platform.
- [Offer Deep Discounts ‘If You Leave’](/playbook/offer-deep-discounts-if-you-leave): Smart pricing hack.
- [Podcasting](/playbook/podcasting): Launch a podcast on industry topics.
- [Powered by](/playbook/powered-by): Viral Loop Marketing: “Powered by”.
- [Leaderboards](/playbook/leaderboards): Create leaderboards for customers.
- [Implement gamification](/playbook/implement-gamification): Gamification > higher conversions.
- [Host (or join) Twitter Spaces](/playbook/host-or-join-twitter-spaces): Host industry/niche related events.
- [Industry Comparison Website](/playbook/industry-comparison-website): Leverage on the name of market competition.
- [Industry reports](/playbook/industry-reports): Write industry reports and get quotes from industry leaders.
- [Infographics](/playbook/infographics): Create infographics to visually represent key data.
- [Launch an affiliate program](/playbook/launch-an-affiliate-program): Let other users promote your product.
- [Competitor Comparison Posts](/playbook/competitor-comparison-posts): Leverage on the name of competition.
- [Create a (free) course](/playbook/create-a-free-course): Educate > sell.
- [Create a free chrome extension](/playbook/create-a-free-chrome-extension): Free product > reach audience > upsell.
- [Create a viral launch video](/playbook/create-a-viral-launch-video): Instantly go viral.
- [Forums & Community](/playbook/forums-community): Add community-driven forums for peer support.
- [Free product as lead gen](/playbook/free-product-as-lead-gen): Free product > audience > upsell.
- [Freemium pricing model](/playbook/freemium-pricing-model): Free tier > leads?
- [Get quoted in an article for a backlink](/playbook/get-quoted-in-an-article-for-a-backlink): Backlinks > seo > boost.
- [Glossary of terms](/playbook/glossary-of-terms): Build a glossary of terms related to your industry.
- [Guest posting](/playbook/guest-posting): Easy way to get more eyeballs.
- [Pre-Designed Templates](/playbook/pre-designed-templates): Offer Pre-Designed Templates To Get Users Started.
- [Auto-upgrade consent](/playbook/auto-upgrade-consent): Ask customers to accept auto-upgrade if you’re charging usage-based.
- [Automatic Cold DM on X/Twitter](/playbook/automatic-cold-dm-on-x-twitter): Set up automations on X.
- [Blog Post Competitor Backlinks](/playbook/blog-post-competitor-backlinks): Hack to get backlinks.
- [Automate blogging with AI](/playbook/automate-blogging-with-ai): Set it up once, and rank automatically.
- [Build integrations](/playbook/build-integrations): Reach more people through 3rd party marketplaces.
- [Slack notifications marketing](/playbook/slack-notifications-marketing): Subscribe to Slack communities and groups and target keywords.
- [Document in public on a “HQ” account](/playbook/document-in-public-on-a-hq-account): Build a brand around your brand focused on the people behind the brand.
- [The Endowed Progress Effect](/playbook/the-endowed-progress-effect): Make users complete tasks sooner.
- [In-App Nudges](/playbook/in-app-nudges): Guide users faster to their aha moment.
- [Turn 1 feature into a free tool](/playbook/turn-1-feature-into-a-free-tool): Funnel people from 1 free feature into the main product.
- [Thought leadership posts](/playbook/thought-leadership-posts): Post on LinkedIn personally as a founder and let employees do the same.
- [Email Onboarding Drip Campaigns](/playbook/email-onboarding-drip-campaigns): Invest in your onboarding email drip campaigns.
- [Template Library](/playbook/template-library): If you sell anything related to templates, this will boost SEO + conversions.

## Level 4 - Paid scale

For products with budget: paid ads, influencers, sponsorships, acquisitions and everything you can buy your way into.

- [YouTube influencers](/playbook/youtube-influencers): Leverage YouTubers to build awareness by asking for a review.
- [Twitter/X ads](/playbook/twitter-x-ads): Target audience on twitter/x.
- [Sponsor an online community](/playbook/sponsor-an-online-community): Reach your target audience with ads.
- [Sponsor on an event](/playbook/sponsor-on-an-event): Reach your audience.
- [Sponsor podcasts or newsletters](/playbook/sponsor-podcasts-or-newsletters): Sponsor podcasts or newsletters targeting your audience.
- [Reddit ads](/playbook/reddit-ads): Reach audience on reddit.
- [Retarget YouTube Ads](/playbook/retarget-youtube-ads): Retarget your viewers.
- [Retargeting campaigns](/playbook/retargeting-campaigns): Launch retargeting campaigns for website visitors.
- [Run ‘Comparison’ Ads](/playbook/run-comparison-ads): Target unhappy users of competitors.
- [Live events](/playbook/live-events): Weekly live event for customers.
- [Localized marketing](/playbook/localized-marketing): Make it available in native languages.
- [Migration services](/playbook/migration-services): Make it easy to switch to you.
- [Partner up with SaaS products](/playbook/partner-up-with-saas-products): Partner with complementary SaaS products for co-marketing campaigns.
- [LinkedIn ads](/playbook/linkedin-ads): Reach target audience on linkedin.
- [Industry free newsletter](/playbook/industry-free-newsletter): Start (or buy) an industry free newsletter.
- [Free account for creators](/playbook/free-account-for-creators): Give away your product for free (or equity) to big creators.
- [Give away money to followers](/playbook/give-away-money-to-followers): Give away money to followers.
- [Pay off existing subscription fees](/playbook/pay-off-existing-subscription-fees): Make it easier to switch from competitors.
- [Generate ads with ChatGPT](/playbook/generate-ads-with-chatgpt): Let ChatGPT come up with best-performing ads.
- [Personalized video (automation)](/playbook/personalized-video-automation): Create 1 personalized video and send it to 1000 prospects.
- [Acquire an asset](/playbook/acquire-an-asset): Acquire a newsletter or another asset > instant reach.
- [Acquire another SaaS product](/playbook/acquire-another-saas-product): Strategically acquire market share.
- [Buy a distribution channel](/playbook/buy-a-distribution-channel): Buy a resource with lots of traffic and sell your own products.
- [Give away equity deals](/playbook/give-away-equity-deals): Create ambassadors by giving them equity.
- [Register a domain suffix](/playbook/register-a-domain-suffix): To start a new task with a custom domain suffix (can go viral).
- [Make your employees your content army](/playbook/make-your-employees-your-content-army): Let all your employees post on Linkedin.

## Author

- [Mike on X](https://x.com/mikestrives)