How I Built It: $30K/Month Micro-SaaS

16 min video4 key momentsWatch original

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TL;DR

Charlie Clark's micro-SaaS Links earns $31,500 monthly, competing with giants like Linktree.

Key Insights

Charlie Clark's app Links generates $31,500 in monthly recurring revenue, competing with larger platforms like Linktree.

Clark initially increased Links' price from $4 to $5 per month, boosting revenue by nearly $5,000.

Clark used Google search ads for growth, finding them more effective than Instagram ads.

Links offers a pro plan starting at $12 per month for custom domains and multiple pages.

Charlie Clark's first major side project was a print-on-demand marketplace called Visual.

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Deep Dive

Building Links

Charlie Clark started Links while working as a software engineer. He aimed to create a better-designed alternative to Linktree. Within two weeks, he built the first version of Links, focusing on aesthetics and usability. Initially, he reached out to friends and used their feedback to refine the product.

Revenue Growth

Links now makes $31,500 in monthly recurring revenue. A price increase from $4 to $5 per month significantly boosted income. Clark's strategy involved undercutting competitors like Linktree while offering a pro plan for $12 per month, which includes custom domains and multiple pages.

Marketing Strategies

Clark initially used Instagram ads to promote Links but switched to Google search ads due to better results. The high-intent traffic from Google proved effective, helping sustain growth over four years. This approach allowed him to scale the business efficiently.

Career Transition

Clark quit his job twice to focus on his ventures. The first time was in 2019 for Visual, a print-on-demand marketplace. He returned to work during COVID but left again in 2024 when Links' revenue matched his salary, allowing him more flexibility for family commitments.

Takeaways

✓Consider pricing strategically to undercut competitors while offering premium features.
✓Use high-intent advertising channels like Google search ads for effective growth.
✓Validate your product idea by reaching out to potential users for feedback.
✓Balance personal commitments with business goals when deciding to go full-time.

Key moments

0:39Building Links

“I decided to like give myself 2 weeks to build like a Linktree alternative.”

3:43Revenue Growth

“Currently sitting at about 31,500 MRR. There's a big jump here because I actually increased my prices.”

7:59Marketing Strategies

“Google search ads were the sort of easiest because it was high intent traffic.”

10:34Career Transition

“Summer 2024 is when I decided like, okay, I feel like I'm making enough money now with Links.”

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