ZapDM.io Journey to $100k

[animesh]

Update - Week 3: October 05, 2025

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Stats so far:

(+3 new users since last week)

What I did last week (September 29 to October 5):

1. Deal with the backlog (Created help articles, Created demo videos, Got listed on 5 more directories for SaaS, wrote 3 articles for SEO)
2. Improved the Free Trial flow
3. Created a Lifetime Deal system starting at $97
4. Increased automation limits, also allowing AI feature access to the free plan too.
5. Fixed minor bugs
6. Outreach 30 YouTube software review channels to review ZapDM (I got the list but I haven't started the outreach yet, I'll first create the affiliate program, then invite them to review our product as an affiliate).
7. Creating a PDF Guide Lead Magnet and promoting it on Instagram and FB groups (PDF is almost ready, I'll start promoting it ASAP)

What I plan to do this week (October 6 to October 12):

1. Deal with backlog (Do the YouTube reviewers outreach and promote PDF guide for ZapDM as a lead magnet)
2. Get at least 50 new users
3. Create the affiliate program with full tracking
4. Run Ads for the LTD, I'll try to make at least 1 sale

Costs so far: $470 (+$4)
Net revenue: $0


I have noticed that I am occupying myself with adding features, being immersed in the codebase and not doing the things that actually make revenue, so this week, I will try my best to prioritize the work that shows results.

This week, I’m pressing the scary button. Let’s go

Also, since I am going to run ads this week, I'll appriciate a few suggestions/advice from you guys, if possible, thanks!


See you next week! Or maybe sooner if somebody replies

 

[animesh]

Update - Week 4: October 12, 2025

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Stats so far:

(+5 new users since last week and 1 actual paid LTD customer)

What I did last week (October 6 to October 12):

1. Deal with backlog (Do the YouTube reviewers outreach and promote PDF guide for ZapDM as a lead magnet) However I didn't get any reponse yet.
2. Get at least 50 new users (Got only 5)
3. Create the affiliate program with full tracking
4. Run Ads for the LTD, I'll try to make at least 1 sale (Got 0 sales and 0 signups)

What I plan to do this week (October 13 to October 19):

1. Get new users and convert them into customers.
2. Increase the presence for ZapDM.

I build the whole affiliate program with complete tracking and management in-house since the other solutions were paid. I was feeling a demotivated and sad because nothing seemed to be working, the ads didn't get any results even when the CTR was good.

On Thursday or Friday I was very stressed. My head and eyes were hurting, so my mom and my girlfriend both suggested that I should relax a little since I had locked myself up in the room (kind of) for the last few months building this. Now, I have decided that I am going to be calm and realistic, haha. The goal is still the same, but I won't stress myself, eventually I am going to get there, so it's better to be mentally in the right space. My dad is fine with what I am doing as he's also willing to support me, but I don't want to use his money.

Today, I got my first sale from DealFuel (a platform like AppSumo) and I am very happy. But the money will be credited next month after the refund period. I hope the customer likes the product

Costs so far: $517 (+$47 for Meta Ads)
Net revenue: $172 (Pending, to be confirmed after the 30 day refund period)


PS: I have a lot to learn, I am not a very good marketer, but you guys are, if you have any suggestions for me, I am open and willing to learn. Thanks!

 

[animesh]

Update - Week 5: October 19, 2025​

Stats so far:

(+6 new users since last week)

What I did last week (October 13 to October 19):

1. Ran Meta Ads for people to signup for ZapDM. Got good number of clicks but no signups
2. Going to get listed on Dealify in November.
3. Started posting on Instagram Threads about ZapDM
   

What I plan to do this week (October 20 to October 26):

1. Get new users and convert them into customers.
2. Increase the presence for ZapDM.
3. Promote the affiliate program.

This week was a festival week here in India (Diwali), I was relaxed, reconnected with my friends and started working out again. Healthly mind and body comes first. I was also doing a side project to get some extra cash.

I am thinking of hiring an ad agency to run ads for ZapDM next month. I am terrible with meta ads, haha.

Costs so far: $525 (+$8 for Meta Ads)
Net revenue: $172 (Pending, to be confirmed after the 30 day refund period)

 

[animesh]

Update - Week 6: October 26, 2025​

Stats so far:

(+4 new users since last week)

What I did last week (October 20 to October 26):

1. Wrote a Medium article to get some recognition
2. Hired a Meta Ads agency to run Ad campaigns
3. posting about ZapDM on Instagram threads daily (got 1 click)

What I plan to do this week (October 27 to November 02):

1. Start the first ad campaign with the agency (should start as soon as I fund the Ad account)
2. Add two important features to the app (follow first and spintext for "fixed" responses)
3. Post a reel on Instagram
4. Continue posting on threads

This week, yet again, I was doing a side project to get some money so that I can invest that into ads. I talked to 10+ agencies and finally hired one on Friday. The ads will start once I fund the Ad account.

There are more competitors now and they are running ads, my progress looks slow but I am trying my best to balance everything. I am sure one day, it will finally start making good cash.

Thanks to everyone who reads this and is supporting the journey!

Costs so far: $600 (+$75 for Meta Ads agency)
Net revenue: $172 (Pending, to be confirmed after the 30 day refund period)

 

[animesh]

Update - Week 7: November 02, 2025​

Stats so far:

(+5 new users since last week)

What I did last week (October 27 to November 02):

1. Added 3 important features to the app (follow first, spintext, Typing status for AI replies)
2. Fixed a Landing page error that was forcefully redirecting people to signin.
3. Removed AI support chat widget for now (it's not working best at the moment, I am going to upgrade it to help the customer queries better)

What I plan to do this week (November 03 to November 09):

1. Add money to the Ads account so that the agency can run ads.
2. Post at least one instagram reel
3. Improve the Landing page UI

Still working on other side projects to get money for the Ads. Hopefully by 5th of November, I should be able to add the money and start the Ads.
ZapDM will go live on Dealify this week, I hope the launch will be awesome.

Costs so far: $600
Net revenue: $172 (Pending, to be confirmed after the 30 day refund period)