Starting a new business is exciting. You’re full of ideas, hope, and maybe even a little caffeine-fueled confidence. But before you build the next big thing, you have to solve one tricky problem: getting people to care. That’s where “Fanquer” comes in. Think of it as your secret weapon to build a loyal community of early adopters who love what you do before everyone else even hears about you.
TLDR: Why You Need Fanquer
Every startup needs fans from day one. Fanquer is about turning your first users into a ride-or-die community that supports you, gives feedback, and spreads the word. It’s cheaper and smarter than ads. Plus, it feels a lot more human.
What is Fanquer?
Fanquer is a combo of two big ideas: fans and connoisseurs (a fancy word for early lovers of a thing). It’s the art of gathering superfans before you’ve hit the mainstream.
This isn’t about just finding customers. It’s about finding believers. These folks don’t just use your app or product—they cheer it on like it’s their favorite team.
Why Early Adopters Matter
Because they help you build better stuff. They give you feedback when it counts. They also bring energy, ideas, and often, more fans. Here’s why they’re gold:
- Feedback Machines: They’ll tell you what’s working—and what’s broken.
- Free Marketing: They post, tweet, and brag about you.
- Morale Boosters: Hearing “We love this!” makes those late nights worth it.
Without them, you could waste months building something no one wants. With them, you steer the ship closer to ‘awesome’ every day.
How to Fanquer Your Startup
Okay, so you’re sold. But how do you actually do it? Here are some simple strategies to build your founding fan base:
1. Build in Public
Let people watch you work. Share updates even when things are messy. Tweet your progress. Post behind-the-scenes pics.
Why? Because people root for what they understand. Transparency makes your startup feel real.
2. Make It a Club, Not a Product
People don’t follow features—they follow communities. Your early adopters want to feel special. Let them in on secrets, give them first access, and treat them like insiders.
Some ideas:
- Beta access with a cool invite code
- Private Discord or Slack
- Shoutouts to early users
When people feel seen, they stick around.
3. Give Them a Mission
Great startups tell stories. And the best ones invite fans to join the adventure.
Don’t just say “Try my app.” Say “Let’s fix how people do X together.”
Example: If your startup helps small shops fight Amazon, rally your audience with that mission. Suddenly, you’re not just selling software—you’re building a movement.
4. Create Quick Wins
People need little victories. Don’t wait until your product is perfect to make them smile.
Dropping an MVP next week? Tease it. Got a sign-up page? Make it feel like the cool kids’ list.
Think about ways you can offer value now, even if the full experience isn’t ready.
5. Name Your Fans
This one might sound silly but works amazingly well. Give your community a name.
It creates belonging. It says, “You’re part of something.” It’s why we have Swifties, Trekkies, and Beliebers.
Startups can use this too. Even inside jokes or funny terms stick fast with your fans.
Real-Life Fanquering
Let’s look at a few startups that nailed this:
- Figma: Before becoming a design powerhouse, they welcomed beta testers into a private group where everyone shared feedback—and built connections.
- Notion: They created a tight-knit group of early power users who made tutorials, templates, and answered questions. Notion didn’t hire a big support team early on. Its fans did that job for free.
- Clubhouse: Remember them? You needed an invite to join. It felt exclusive—even if it was still just a voice app.
The pattern? They all treated their early users like insiders, not outsiders.
What NOT to Do
Let’s avoid rookie mistakes. Here’s what won’t help you Fanquer your startup:
- Launching quietly: If a product ships and no one hears it, did it really launch?
- Only focusing on features: Nobody brags about a dashboard. They brag about what it helps them do.
- Spamming instead of nurturing: One email a month with love beats five salesy blasts a week.
Fanquering is about connection, not clicks.
One Fan Beats 100k Views
Here’s a thing to remember: Getting one real fan is better than getting 100,000 lazy likes.
Likes won’t build your beta. Fans will. One true believer can bring their whole team, friend group, or blog following.
Go slow, go deep. Don’t chase mass reach at the cost of real relationships.
Tools to Help You Fanquer
You don’t need a massive company or team. Just the right tools like:
- Twitter and LinkedIn: Great for building in public and finding early believers
- Discord or Slack: Build a community space
- Notion or Substack: Share updates, mini wins, and your journey
- Figma or Loom: Share screenshots, early product demos
Keep it simple. Use what you love.
Final Thoughts
Fanquer isn’t just a method. It’s a mindset.
It means treating humans like humans. Letting them in. Getting excited together when something works. And not hiding when it doesn’t.
If you’re just starting out, remember: You don’t need everyone. You just need the right few.
Fan before scale. Build the hype. Share the ride. That’s what Fanquer is all about.