Imagine building a software business that generates $30,000 in revenue before you even finish your morning commute. For Polius, a solo founder who once struggled with traditional coding, this isn't a pipe dream—it’s the result of a masterfully executed build in public strategy. By leveraging the latest AI development tools and a unique approach to how to go viral on Twitter, he transformed a simple database idea into a thriving SaaS product called Creator Hunter in just 30 days. This playbook will deconstruct his viral success, showing you how to turn raw shipping updates into a high-growth marketing engine.
The Power of the Build in Public Strategy
The build in public strategy is more than just sharing your progress; it is a form of founder branding guide that builds trust and authority in real-time. In his recent Starter Story interview, Polius explained that he used AI tools to build an app that matches startups with influencers, reaching over 1,000 users and 350 paid customers in record time. For marketing for SaaS founders, the goal is to stop acting like a faceless corporation and start acting like a human solving a problem. This transparency creates a narrative that followers can root for, which is essential for Twitter growth for startups.
By sharing the struggle, the wins, and even the bugs, you invite your audience into the development process. This is particularly effective for UGC (user-generated content) and mobile app marketing, where 88% of consumers trust word-of-mouth recommendations above all other forms of advertising. When you show the "behind the scenes" of your Cursor or Bolt.new sessions, you aren't just coding; you are creating marketing assets that resonate with the tech community on X.
The 'Trend Attachment' Method: Inserting Your Product into High-Volume Debates
One of the most effective ways to understand how to go viral on Twitter is what Polius calls the 'Trend Attachment' Method. Rather than shouting into the void about your new feature, you find a massive, ongoing industry debate and position your product as a response to it. For Polius, this meant tapping into the heated conversation about whether AI coding was truly capable of building production-ready software—a topic highlighted in recent GitHub Octoverse reports showing the massive surge in AI-generated code. His most successful post garnered nearly 500,000 impressions because it wasn't just a promo; it was a contribution to a trending topic.
To replicate this, you must monitor what the industry leaders are discussing. If you are building a tool for creator marketing, don't just announce a new search filter. Instead, use Stormy's AI search to find trending creators across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to join the conversation about influencer ROI or the shift toward UGC creators. By attaching your build in public strategy to these high-volume keywords, you gain access to an audience that is already primed to listen. This is a core pillar of marketing for SaaS founders who need to maximize their reach with zero ad spend.
The Anatomy of a Viral 'Build in Public' Tweet
Success on X isn't random. A viral tweet is a carefully constructed piece of media designed to stop the scroll, often adhering to the X algorithm's preference for high-engagement visuals and threads. Polius identifies three critical components: the hook, the social proof, and the visual demo. The hook must address a painful problem or a surprising result immediately. For example, stating that you built an app on your commute is a high-impact hook because it challenges the status quo of software development.
The visual demo is equally important. In the world of Twitter growth for startups, a raw, screen-recorded video of your app in action is worth more than a dozen polished marketing graphics. People want to see the UI/UX in motion. If you’re managing influencers or running app install campaigns, showing a dashboard like Stormy's post tracking and analytics provides instant credibility. It shows that your tool isn't just an idea—it’s a functional solution that people are already using. Finally, always include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that directs users to a landing page where they can experience the value for themselves.
Content Pillars for SaaS Founders: Shipping, Reacting, and Demoing
To maintain Twitter growth for startups, you need a consistent posting schedule based on three primary content pillars. First, shipping updates. Every time you push a new feature or fix a bug using tools like Vercel or Supabase, document it. These updates signal that the product is alive and evolving. Second, raw human reactions. Share how it felt to get your first 20 sales while having dinner with your partner. This emotional connection is what builds a loyal following.
Third, visual demos and tutorials. Use Framer to create high-converting landing pages and then record yourself walking through the features. If your app involves creator discovery, show how you use Stormy AI for influencer vetting and fake follower detection to find high-quality partners. This not only teaches your audience how to use your tool but also positions you as an expert in your niche. Remember, 80% of your results often come from focusing on the hero section of your site and the initial hook of your tweets to capture immediate attention.
Why 'Shipping Often' Beats One Big Launch
Traditional marketing often revolves around a single, massive "launch day." However, for solo founders using a build in public strategy, this approach is often a mistake. Polius argues that shipping often—releasing small updates daily or weekly—is far more effective for long-term growth. This "scrappy" approach allows you to iterate based on real-time feedback and keeps you at the top of the X algorithm. According to TechCrunch's analysis of app marketing, consistent updates are key to maintaining user retention and App Store visibility.
This philosophy also applies to your outreach strategy. Instead of waiting for a perfect product to reach out to creators, start building those relationships early. You can use Stormy's AI email outreach to automate personalized emails and follow-ups to influencers while you focus on building. This ensures that by the time your MVP is ready, you already have a network of creators ready to promote it. In the context of mobile app marketing and ASO (App Store Optimization), this constant momentum translates to more consistent downloads and better rankings over time.
Building a Community That Acts as a Moat
In the age of AI, where anyone can prompt their way to an MVP, copycats are inevitable. Polius noted that while many people tried to replicate his influencer database, they couldn't replicate his community moat. When you build in public, you aren't just building a product; you are building a relationship with your users. This personal connection is an edge that no AI can easily copy. People buy from Polius because they have watched his journey from door-to-door sales to a $30k SaaS founder.
To strengthen this moat, engage deeply with your early adopters. Use Stormy's creator CRM to track every interaction, negotiation, and collaboration history to ensure your most loyal supporters feel heard. When your community feels like they are part of the development team, they become your most vocal advocates. This is the ultimate founder branding guide: turning your audience into a defensive barrier that protects your business from market saturation and low-cost competitors.
The AI Tech Stack: Building and Marketing at Speed
The 2025 tech stack for solo founders is focused on speed and AI-native capabilities. Polius recommends starting with Perplexity to create a step-by-step game plan. This research phase is critical for identifying high-intent keywords that your competitors might be ignoring—a tactic also supported by tools like Semrush. Once you have a plan, use Bolt to generate a functional MVP and Cursor to refine the code and connect backends like Clerk for authentication.
On the marketing side, automation is key to maintaining a build in public strategy without burning out. While you are busy shipping code, you can set up an autonomous AI agent through Stormy AI to discover, outreach, and follow up with creators every day on a schedule. This allows you to scale your mobile app marketing efforts while you sleep. By combining high-speed development tools with AI-powered marketing platforms, solo founders can now achieve the same output as a 10-person team at a fraction of the cost.
Conclusion: From Scrappy Ideas to Viral Success
The story of Polius and Creator Hunter proves that marketing for SaaS founders has fundamentally changed. You no longer need a massive budget or a PR agency to get noticed; you need a build in public strategy, a Twitter account, and the right AI tools. By attaching your product to industry trends, shipping often, and building a transparent community, you can generate the kind of viral growth that leads to real revenue. Whether you are focused on UGC for mobile apps or building the next great B2B SaaS, the lesson is clear: stop waiting for the perfect moment and start shipping in public today. The early bird gets the attention, and in the creator economy, attention is the most valuable currency of all.