ZapDM.io Journey to $100k

animesh

animesh

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Hey everyone!

I’m Animesh, 20 y/o marketer and indie developer from India. I’ve been building apps and SaaS products for a while now, most failed, a few paid the bills. This time I want to document the journey publicly as I try to take ZapDM to $100k revenue.

The product is simple: it helps Instagram creators and businesses turn comments into conversations automatically. Instead of ignoring comments, it starts conversations using AI with the leads and gets you more sales. It's built on official Meta APIs and is 100% safe for the Instagram account.


Where I’m at right now​

✅ MVP is live, shipping new features almost every day
✅ Posted it on Product Hunt and we got 20 upvotes!!! 🥳
✅ Got rejected from AppSumo :(
1757915359269.png
✅ Listed on a smaller AppSumo alternative - DealFuel
✅ Sales thread on a marketing forum going live soon

Current Stats:
1757915402079.png

16 users total (5 of them are testers and 1 admin = me)
10 actual users using it right now! 🥳
Revenue: $0 (the paid users in the screenshot are my testers)


Costs & Risks​

Right now I’ve spent ~$450 so far (server, domain, tools, AI, Meta approval etc.)
Biggest risks:
  • Instagram API changes
  • Lack of distribution/marketing channels
  • High churn if it doesn’t deliver ROI fast enough

The Goal​

Turn this into $100k revenue. No idea how long it’ll take, could be 3 months, a year, or never (I hope not!). But I’ll be documenting the ride here.

What to Expect in This Thread​

  • Weekly updates with revenue + signups
  • Features shipped, bugs, dumb mistakes, lessons learned
  • Honest stuff including when it breaks or I mess up
  • Some screenshots and maybe a meme or two ;)

That’s it for the intro. Next update soon. Let’s see where this journey goes.

-- Animesh
 
You dodged a real bullet with AppSumo.

Best of luck with the journey!
 
roydan said:
You dodged a real bullet with AppSumo.

Best of luck with the journey!
Click to expand...
Ah, can't see this thread, maybe because I'm relatively new to this forum.

1757919734128.png


But I hope the AppSumo doors closed for something better :D
Thanks!
 
animesh said:
Ah, can't see this thread, maybe because I'm relatively new to this forum.

View attachment 3456

But I hope the AppSumo doors closed for something better :D
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I think I accidentally posted it in the wrong section back then. Just reported it.
 
Looks like a good service, good luck mate.
 
Update - Week 1: September 21, 2025​

Stats so far:
1758450393759.png


(Gained only 2 new users since last week)
What I did last week (September 15 to September 21):
  1. Improved the UI and UX by 10x​
  2. Made it easier for the new users to understand and navigate through the app​
  3. A Sales thread just went live today on one of the major Marketing Forums (BHW)​
  4. Fixed minor instagram connectivity issues​
  5. Added emailing functionality for various events (Welcome, automation milestone, updates on your account etc.)​

What I plan to do this week (September 22 to September 28):
  1. Creating help articles and demo videos for the users​
  2. Creating instagram reels for our product​
  3. Improving 2-3 app features​
  4. Getting listed on a few directories for SaaS​
  5. Writing a few articles and doing some SEO​

Costs so far: $466
Net revenue: $0


I plan to run ads too, but at the moment, I am low on funds, so I will wait until next month.

Also, I am very grateful to everyone for their good wishes, words of encouragement and advice. 😁🙏
 
Berry Scary said:
Well done! How else are you planning to market this in the long term?
Click to expand...
To be honest, I haven't thought much about it. I had been occupying myself to build this software day and night without much thought about the marketing.

I had planned that I would list it on AppSumo or similar platforms and they will get the sales for me, but I was very wrong, haha.

Now I have these things in mind:
  1. Running $10/day ads
  2. Posting reels on instagram
  3. Doing some SEO so I get listed on the search results
  4. Cold outreach (I tried this when I first launched ZapDM but I got no response, so I'll try it again with better strategy)
  5. I also plan to start an affiliate program within the next 30 days.

If you have any suggestions, I am open for them. I have put a lot of work into development of this project and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get to the $100k goal.

rickroll.gif


(Sorry for the rickroll haha)
 
Think of an affiliate program as well, offer them a monthly forever % and market your affiliate program in IM forums, FB groups ..etc

Edit: I just saw you mentioned it in number 5 lol
 
Update - Week 2: September 28, 2025
​
Stats so far:
1759066852903.png


(+7 new users since last week, upgraded 3 accounts to premium plans to let them test)

What I did last week (September 22 to September 28):
  1. Fixed a few bugs (Took me 3 whole days)
  2. Creating help articles (80% Done, revision + formatting + publishing remaining)
  3. Created demo videos for the users (60% Done, editing and voiceover remaining)
  4. Creating instagram reels for our product (+2 posts)
  5. Improved 2-3 app features (Improved AI Prompt Analysis and a few minor things)
  6. Getting listed on a few directories for SaaS (Got listed on around 10 directories including Capterra, I wanted to list for more but most of them are paid, but I'll try to get listed on around 20 more)
  7. Writing a few articles and doing some SEO - (MISSED IT)

What I plan to do this week (September 29 to October 5):
  1. Deal with the backlog
  2. Improve the Free Trial flow (currently users have to signup for free plan first then they are able to choose the free trial plan on the pricing page- I think it makes them leave because they aren't able to expirence AI features in the Basic plan)
  3. Outreach 30 YouTube software review channels to review ZapDM.
  4. Creating a PDF Guide Lead Magnet and promoting it on Instagram and FB groups.

Costs so far: $466 (same as last week 😁)
Net revenue: $0 (same as last week :()

This week I wasn't able to give my 100%, I took my little sister to movies on Thursday, had the driving lisence exam on Friday and on Saturday I was busy recuriting the new enrollements for NCC Army.
1759068455495.jpeg

Movie 👆(Jolly LLB 3 as suggested by @payal23j )

1759068512044.jpeg

NCC Cadets enrollment day 👆

Don't have photos for the Driving license exam day

I know you guys must be losing interest since I haven't got any results so far, but don't worry, I am going to start things that will show numbers soon (probably by week 4). I have already planned to run ads and start an affiliate program (@SuSocial had also suggested the affiliate program :D ).
Had a little chat with @roydan today, he gave me some good advice like outreach to agencies and avoid selling the LTD because they will be unprofitable in the long run. But to be honest, I am still considering selling a few LTD licenses since I am facing cash flow problems at the moment and without money, I might not be able to run ads or continue working on this.

Also, thanks to everyone following this thread, it makes this journey fun and keeping me more accountable of my actions :D

1759067083453.jpeg

This image is a representation of my dad walking in the room on Tuesday, he asked me what I was working on and I showed him ZapDM in action. He's kinda impressed but, he wants me to get a "normal" job since I could be earning something at a regular job instead of working for "nothing" here, haha.

EDIT: Got no sales from BHW sales thread either, I wonder what I am doing wrong. Some people showed interest but didn't convert :(

PS: I am planning to increase the number of automations upto 3-10x in each plan, since there is already DM limit, it doesn't make sense to limit the number of posts users can create automations for.
 
Last edited:
If you do that, I suggest you add an option there for those to buy credits to be able to use them.
Otherwise, you may not be able to support the charges.

It's like you get the access lifetime (it comes with xx credits, but once they run out, you will need to buy them).
 
animesh said:
Update - Week 2: September 28, 2025
​
Stats so far:
View attachment 3582

(+7 new users since last week, upgraded 3 accounts to premium plans to let them test)

What I did last week (September 22 to September 28):
  1. Fixed a few bugs (Took me 3 whole days)
  2. Creating help articles (80% Done, revision + formatting + publishing remaining)
  3. Created demo videos for the users (60% Done, editing and voiceover remaining)
  4. Creating instagram reels for our product (+2 posts)
  5. Improved 2-3 app features (Improved AI Prompt Analysis and a few minor things)
  6. Getting listed on a few directories for SaaS (Got listed on around 10 directories including Capterra, I wanted to list for more but most of them are paid, but I'll try to get listed on around 20 more)
  7. Writing a few articles and doing some SEO - (MISSED IT)

What I plan to do this week (September 29 to October 5):
  1. Deal with the backlog
  2. Improve the Free Trial flow (currently users have to signup for free plan first then they are able to choose the free trial plan on the pricing page- I think it makes them leave because they aren't able to expirence AI features in the Basic plan)
  3. Outreach 30 YouTube software review channels to review ZapDM.
  4. Creating a PDF Guide Lead Magnet and promoting it on Instagram and FB groups.

Costs so far: $466 (same as last week 😁)
Net revenue: $0 (same as last week :()

This week I wasn't able to give my 100%, I took my little sister to movies on Thursday, had the driving lisence exam on Friday and on Saturday I was busy recuriting the new enrollements for NCC Army.
View attachment 3584
Movie 👆(Jolly LLB 3 as suggested by @payal23j )

View attachment 3585
NCC Cadets enrollment day 👆

Don't have photos for the Driving license exam day

I know you guys must be losing interest since I haven't got any results so far, but don't worry, I am going to start things that will show numbers soon (probably by week 4). I have already planned to run ads and start an affiliate program (@SuSocial had also suggested the affiliate program :D ).
Had a little chat with @roydan today, he gave me some good advice like outreach to agencies and avoid selling the LTD because they will be unprofitable in the long run. But to be honest, I am still considering selling a few LTD licenses since I am facing cash flow problems at the moment and without money, I might not be able to run ads or continue working on this.

Also, thanks to everyone following this thread, it makes this journey fun and keeping me more accountable of my actions :D

View attachment 3583
This image is a representation of my dad walking in the room on Tuesday, he asked me what I was working on and I showed him ZapDM in action. He's kinda impressed but, he wants me to get a "normal" job since I could be earning something at a regular job instead of working for "nothing" here, haha.

EDIT: Got no sales from BHW sales thread either, I wonder what I am doing wrong. Some people showed interest but didn't convert :(

PS: I am planning to increase the number of automations upto 3-10x in each plan, since there is already DM limit, it doesn't make sense to limit the number of posts users can create automations for.
Click to expand...
Try to reason with him, maybe? So he doesn't interrupt you too much? Explain to him that job market is bad right now anyway and instead of sending endless job applications you're working on a business project while it's still relatively safe for you? That you'll get valuable experience even if it doesn't work out and you can show it later to potential employers as experience / portfolio?

Not saying you won't succeed 😂, just thinking that's what your dad is worried about, maybe it's good to explain to him that's not the end of the world and you'll be safe either way (profit if it works out, valuable experience for future employment if it doesn't). Even if you don't plan to get a job framing the situation in this way might help discourage him from terrorizing you 😂. I think he's just worried 😂.
 
SuSocial said:
If you do that, I suggest you add an option there for those to buy credits to be able to use them.
Otherwise, you may not be able to support the charges.

It's like you get the access lifetime (it comes with xx credits, but once they run out, you will need to buy them).
Click to expand...
This is actually a very good idea. I have already partially implemented it (selling ZapAI credits to those who run out), I'll add the DM credits to be purchased too. Thanks!

SilverClouds said:
Try to reason with him, maybe? So he doesn't interrupt you too much? Explain to him that job market is bad right now anyway and instead of sending endless job applications you're working on a business project while it's still relatively safe for you? That you'll get valuable experience even if it doesn't work out and you can show it later to potential employers as experience / portfolio?

Not saying you won't succeed 😂, just thinking that's what your dad is worried about, maybe it's good to explain to him that's not the end of the world and you'll be safe either way (profit if it works out, valuable experience for future employment if it doesn't). Even if you don't plan to get a job framing the situation in this way might help discourage him from terrorizing you 😂. I think he's just worried 😂.
Click to expand...
Haha, no he is cool and supportive about what I am doing but yeah he's just worried like every other parent and wants to see me stress-free :D Thanks for the suggestions though!

allan.d said:
Good luck
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
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