1. Search Bluesky for people describing the pain
Use Bluesky's search with phrases, not keywords. Try "can't stick to a planner", "bought another planner", "goodnotes template", "notion planner too complicated" and "adhd planning". Sort by latest and reply only where you have something useful to add. For example: "I built a planner for exactly this. Happy to send you the free version if you want to try it."
2. Join the ADHD feeds and conversations
Pin the ADHD-related custom feeds you can find through the Feeds tab by searching "ADHD". Many people there post about failed planning systems. Answer their questions about routines first. Mention your planner only when someone asks what you use, and say plainly that you made it.
3. Show up in the study and academic community
Grad students, PhD candidates and teachers moved to Bluesky in large numbers. Search "#AcademicSky", "#PhDSky" and "#TeacherSky" for posts about thesis deadlines, semester planning or grading weeks. Offer a specific template, for example: "I made a thesis-week planner page for GoodNotes. Want the link? Free, just want feedback."
4. Use the iPad and GoodNotes crowd
Most digital planner buyers use an iPad with GoodNotes or Notability. Search "goodnotes", "notability", "ipad planner" and "digital planning". Post a short screen recording of your planner's hyperlinked tabs in action. A 15 second video of the real thing beats any description.
5. Post your build in public under #buildinpublic
Follow #buildinpublic and #indiedev and post what you're making, with one honest number or decision each week. Founders and freelancers there use planners too, and they will tell you why theirs failed. End posts with a direct question like "What made you quit the last planner you bought?"
6. Make a starter pack for your niche
Bluesky starter packs let you bundle accounts on a topic. Make one like "Digital Planning and Journaling" with 20 to 50 active creators and users, and include yourself. People share good starter packs, and everyone in it gets notified, which starts conversations without a cold message.
7. Send 10 personal DMs a day to engaged repliers
Anyone who liked or replied to your planner posts already showed interest. Message them one by one: "Thanks for replying about weekly reviews. I'm giving the planner free to the first 20 people who'll tell me what's broken. Want a copy?" Track every reply in a simple spreadsheet and follow up once after 3 days.
8. Turn feedback into the next post
When a user says the monthly view is cluttered, fix it and post the before and after, crediting them if they agree. That shows you listen and brings in people with the same problem. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can run these searches and draft these replies daily so you only review and send.
People asking this right now
Real, public posts from the last few weeks. Each one is somebody you could help today.
- Launch day chaos reminds me of open-source releases: 60% prep, 40% praying the first 10 users find the real pain point. (Bluesky)
- They absolutely can (and sometimes do) put guardrails on this stuff, but *apparently* only when end users find out how to break it first. Wh (Bluesky)
- The console cleaner is the real user. First ten users matter more than the polish—ship the fix, then go find three people who feel that pain (Bluesky)
- The Trapstar galaxy print keeps resurfacing—clearly that pattern has staying power. First users stick when you show them a version they can' (Bluesky)
- Most massive" and "nHz background" in one title—my brain just did a squat. First users for any tool: find the one person obsessed enough to (Bluesky)
Mistakes to skip
- Posting the same link in many threads, which gets you muted and blocked fast.
- Describing features instead of showing a short screen recording of the planner.
- Ignoring niches and trying to sell to everyone who "wants to be productive".
- Giving the planner away without asking for one specific piece of feedback in return.
Want this done for your digital planner, every day?
Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.
Find my first customersQuestions
Do I need followers before this works?
No. Search and replies reach people regardless of your follower count. Your first 20 users can come from conversations you join.
Should I charge my first users?
Give the first 10 to 20 copies free in exchange for feedback. Start charging once people tell you which parts they actually use.
How often should I post?
Once a day is enough. Spend more time replying to others than posting your own updates.
Which niche should I start with?
Pick the one that matches your planner's design, such as ADHD, students or iPad users. Go deep in one before trying another.