Marketing Your SaaS Company: 3 Ways to Incentivize New Users

Updated May 23, 2024

You've invested time and money in developing a great SaaS product. You know your product takes a new approach to solving users' pain points. Now you've just got to convince others to try it.

So how can you boost your user numbers and make your software profitable? Learn what works to promote SaaS software, and why it works, to market your product effectively.

1. Get beta users to refer friends

When you are trying to build a user base, new signups are key. Try sending beta users a promo code that they can give to friends for a free trial. Let new users can sign up for a free week or free month, getting you the signups you need to present impressive numbers.

This works for two reasons: exclusivity and $0 price point.

A promo code for a free signup reduces the financial risk associated with trying a new service. By letting beta users refer friends, you'll make people feel like they're early adopters. If they don't try your software, they could miss out on the next big thing. 

2. Reward subscription signups with a gift card

When you use a promo code to increase your user base, you run the risk that users won't sign up for a paid plan.

Lower this risk by giving a gift card to users who decide to subscribe after their trial runs out. For example, the application monitoring app New Relic tried this by offering a special referral link. When a new user signed up and deployed New Relic, both they and their referring friend received a $25 gift card.

A gift card can help nudge someone who is on the fence. It works because it feels like the new subscriber is getting something they want, in addition to getting something they need. 

3. Do a social media contest or giveaway

Social media contests are popular for all types of companies because they are easy for users to participate in and highly effective at building buzz.

While you might think of social media giveaways for products, they can also be effective for software, too. Digital gift cards make a great choice, because they're easy to get off the ground and they don't require a large investment. Use the same platform you use for rewarding subscriptions to offer a gift card that is going to attract your target audience. 

To get started with a giveaway:

1. Determine your budget; giveaways are increasingly widespread, so you'll often want to start with at least $50 to cut through the noise. 
2. Create a simple landing page for your giveaway that explains what you're giving away (say, a year's subscription) and how to enter.
3. Set up a branded hashtag for entrants to use, or require them to follow your social channels.
4. Capture email addresses as part of the signup to continue marketing to everyone who enters.

This way, you can continue the conversation around your software during the contest and even encourage users who don't win to subscribe.

Pro-tip: Be sure to choose an incentive that is going to attract the right target audience. For example, Google Play and Apple Gift Cards can be popular for a tech audience. Meanwhile, Amazon gift cards, or giving your recipients complete choice to a full rewards catalog, always work well, no matter the audience. 

Start promoting your SaaS company while you are in beta phase to increase your odds of success out of the gate. You'll boost awareness of your company and build buzz around your offering. Already launched? Promotions will help you continue to grow and thrive over time. 

Giftbit makes it easy to send digital rewards and payouts for all your marketing incentives. Watch a quick demo now.