In July 2022, David Bressler had a full-time job, a pregnant wife, and a six-week window before his youngest child was born. He didn't have a background in computer science, but he did have a recurring frustration: junior analysts constantly knocking on his door asking for help with complex Excel formulas. Using that "itch" as a catalyst, David built a simple AI-powered tool that would eventually reach 750,000 users and generate $22,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR). The secret weapon behind this explosive SaaS user acquisition wasn't a massive ad budget or a complex PR firm; it was a masterclass in Reddit marketing strategy.
Step 1: Identifying High-Intent Subreddits for Niche Launches
Many founders make the mistake of posting their product in massive, generic subreddits where content is swallowed by the noise. David’s success with Excel Formula Bot (now Formula Bot) came from targeting communities where the problem he solved was already a daily topic of conversation. He started with r/excel, a community of hundreds of thousands of users who live and breathe spreadsheets. When you are looking for how to promote a product on Reddit, the relevance of the audience far outweighs the sheer number of subscribers.
By launching in a niche subreddit first, David was able to validate his MVP with a highly technical audience. These users weren't just random visitors; they were potential power users who immediately understood the value of an AI tool that translates natural language into complex formulas. This initial traction provided the social proof needed to move to larger, broader subreddits later on.
Step 2: The Exact Post Structure for Viral Success
The anatomy of a viral Reddit post is often simpler than people think. David didn't write a long, salesy pitch. Instead, he focused on utility, transparency, and a low barrier to entry. His original post in r/excel was titled "AI Excel Formula Generator" and emphasized that the tool was free. The description was nothing more than a link to the site. This lack of friction is essential for viral growth hacks in the early stages of a SaaS journey.
After the r/excel post became the top post of the week, a community member suggested he post in r/InternetIsBeautiful. This subreddit is dedicated to unique, useful, and well-designed websites. This was the tipping point. The post exploded with over 10,000 upvotes and thousands of comments. This second wave of traffic was what truly put the app over the edge, proving that community-driven suggestions are often the most effective way to scale your outreach.
"It blew up as much as something can blow up within the Excel community. Then, someone said, 'You should post this on r/InternetIsBeautiful'—that was the thing that made it go viral for months."
Step 3: Managing the Surge and Handling API Costs
Virality is a double-edged sword. While David was celebrating thousands of new users, he was also watching his OpenAI API bill skyrocket. In just a few days, he blew through $5,000 in costs. For a solo founder with a full-time job, this was a make-or-break moment. He had to decide whether to shut down the project or find a way to monetize it immediately.
To keep the lights on, David implemented a few scrappy solutions before moving to a full subscription model. This included:
- Donation Links: He added a Stripe donation link, explaining his story and asking users to help cover server costs. This recouped a few thousand dollars.
- Beta Ads: He ran niche advertisements, including a partnership with an ESPN Excel competition host, which provided short-term cash flow.
- Google Ads: While less effective for him long-term, Google Ads helped bridge the gap during the peak of the traffic spike.
| Monetization Stage | Strategy Used | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Viral Peak | Donation Links (Stripe) | Recouped ~50% of initial API costs. |
| Growth Phase | Niche Sponsorships (ESPN) | High-intent traffic, low volume. |
| Maturity | Subscription Model ($9/mo) | Scalable, predictable MRR growth. |
The Power of No-Code in Rapid Prototyping
One of the most remarkable aspects of David’s story is that he built the entire initial version of Excel Formula Bot using no-code tools. Specifically, he used Bubble.io to build the MVP in just a few weeks. By relying on YouTube University and official documentation, he was able to launch a functional product without hiring expensive developers or spending months learning to code.
While organic Reddit traffic is a goldmine for initial validation, scaling that momentum into a sustainable brand often requires more than just forum posts. Modern growth stacks often combine viral organic starts with targeted outreach. For example, platforms like Stormy AI allow founders to find and contact UGC creators who can create video demonstrations of tools like Formula Bot, extending the viral lifecycle across TikTok and YouTube. Transitioning from a single "viral moment" to a sustainable user acquisition funnel is what separates a side project from a million-dollar business.
Step 4: Turning Commenters into Product Advocates
David didn't just "post and ghost." He actively engaged with the Reddit community, answering questions and taking feedback. This engagement was critical for his product roadmap. When users started emailing him complex Excel files that the bot couldn't solve, David didn't ignore them. Instead, he offered to jump on 1-on-1 calls to help them solve their problems manually, provided they gave him feedback on the tool.
"I would literally do their work for them on a phone call, but they had to ask questions about what they liked and didn't like about the product. That revolutionized the tool from a simple generator to an all-in-one data platform."
This deep level of customer interaction led to the development of the Data Analyzer, a feature that allows users to upload datasets and ask questions in natural language—effectively creating a user-friendly version of ChatGPT specifically for spreadsheet data. By solving the problems that his most vocal users were facing, David built a moat that competitors could not easily copy.
Step 5: Scaling Beyond the Viral Moment
As the market became crowded with "carbon copy" competitors, David realized that convenience and customization were his primary advantages. He integrated his tool directly into Excel as an add-on, allowing users to generate formulas without ever leaving their spreadsheet. This level of workflow integration is a powerful retention tool.
To stay ahead of giants like Microsoft (who eventually announced their own AI Copilot), David pivoted his vision toward a platform that handles complex data analysis, modeling, and charting—features that go far beyond a simple formula box. For founders looking to replicate this success, the Reddit marketing strategy is only the first step. The real work lies in the Creator CRM and relationship management that follows. Managing a user base of 750,000 requires robust systems, whether you're using Salesforce for general sales or Stormy AI to manage your creator collaborations and post-tracking analytics.
Conclusion: The Reddit Marketing Playbook
The story of Excel Formula Bot proves that you don't need a computer science degree to build a successful SaaS. You need a problem to solve, a commitment to learning (even if it's via YouTube), and the guts to share your work with a skeptical community like Reddit. David's SaaS user acquisition journey serves as a template for any solo founder: start niche, be transparent, manage your costs aggressively during spikes, and never stop talking to your users.
If you are ready to launch your own product, remember that Reddit isn't just a place to post links; it's a place to build a community. Combine that community focus with modern tools—whether that's Bubble for building, Stripe for payments, or Stormy AI for scaling your creator outreach—and you'll be well on your way to 750,000 users of your own.