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Your first trading bot customer will come from a direct message, not a launch. These templates are written for one-to-one texts and DMs to traders who already have the problem your bot solves. Fill in the brackets, send five today, and use the line under each one to decide when it fits.

All guidesFor founders of a trading bot

1. Text someone you already know who trades

Template: "Hey [name], you still trading [asset, e.g. BTC perps / SPY options]? I built a bot that [one job, e.g. moves my stop to breakeven when price hits 1R]. Looking for 3 people to run it on a small account this week. Want me to set it up for you, free for 14 days, then [price]/month if you keep it?" Use this first, on anyone in your phone who has ever mentioned a trade, a broker or a crypto exchange.

2. Reply to a pain post in a trading community

Search r/algotrading, r/Daytrading, r/CryptoCurrency and Discord servers for your exchange with phrases like "missed my exit", "woke up liquidated", "can't watch the chart at work". Then DM: "Saw your post about [their exact problem]. I built a bot for [exchange] that [does the fix]. Happy to set it up on your account with read-and-trade API keys only, no withdrawals. Want to try it for [timeframe] and tell me what breaks?" Use this within 24 hours of the post, while the pain is still fresh.

3. Message a strategy seller or signal group admin

Template: "Hi [name], I see you post [setup type] signals in [group]. Your members have to copy entries by hand. My bot can execute your signals on [exchange] automatically, with each member's own keys. Could I set it up for you and 5 members free for two weeks? If they keep it, I'd split [X]% or charge [price] per member." Use this when one yes from an admin puts you in front of a whole group of traders.

4. Follow up after a trader goes quiet

Template: "[Name], quick one. Did you get a chance to connect [exchange]? If the API setup was the blocker, I can jump on a 10 minute screen share at [two time options] and do it with you." Use this 2 days after someone said yes but never connected, because setup friction kills most trading bot trials.

5. Ask for the money at the end of the trial

Template: "Hey [name], your trial ends [date]. The bot placed [number] orders for you and [one concrete result, e.g. closed 4 positions while you were asleep]. To keep it running it's [price]/month. Here's the payment link: [link]. If it's not worth that to you, tell me why and I'll take it as feedback." Use this 2 days before the trial ends, with numbers pulled from their own account logs, never invented.

6. Ask a happy user for one introduction

Template: "Glad it's working for you, [name]. Do you know one other person who trades [asset] and hates [the problem]? If you send me their name, I'll set them up free for a month and give you [one free month]." Use this the same day someone pays, when they are most likely to say yes.

7. Send a cold text to a warm-ish contact

Template: "Hi [name], [mutual friend / group] mentioned you trade [asset] part-time around a day job. I'm building a bot that [job] so you don't have to watch charts at work. Not selling anything yet, just want 10 minutes to hear how you handle [problem] now. [Two time options]?" Use this when you have a real connection to point to, and only to people who trade, such as software engineers or nurses who mention trading on the side.

8. Keep a daily send list

Every morning, pick 5 names from posts, groups and your contacts, send one template each, and log replies in a simple sheet: name, channel, date, status. Hulby, an AI cofounder, does this list-building and drafting daily for a founder if you want it off your plate.

People asking this right now

Real, public posts from the last few weeks. Each one is somebody you could help today.

Mistakes to skip

  • Promising returns or showing backtest profits in the first message, which reads like a scam and can create legal problems.
  • Asking for API keys with withdrawal permission instead of trade-only.
  • Pitching "a trading bot" in general instead of the one specific job it does.
  • Mass-posting the same link in Discord servers until you get banned.

Want this done for your trading bot, 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 customers

Questions

Should I charge from day one?

Set the price in the first message and offer a short free trial. People who agree to a price upfront are far more likely to pay.

How do I get traders to trust a stranger with their account?

Ask only for trade-only API keys, offer a screen share, and suggest they start on a small sub-account.

Can I promise performance?

No. Describe what the bot does mechanically, never what it will earn. Rules on this vary by country, so check yours.

How many messages until the first customer?

There is no fixed number. Send 5 targeted messages a day and look at your reply rate after one week.