- Home
- Growth channels
- Communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups)
Growth channel · Communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups)
Businesses that grew with communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups)
The 1M.chat dataset has 478 businesses that credited communities (reddit, forums, slack groups). 302 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $20.4K a month, and 27% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 1 employee. The growth channels founders credited most often were communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups) (100%), organic social media (73%), SEO & organic search (47%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 26 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 71 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 95 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 28 | |
| $1M+ a year | 66 | |
| $1M+ a month | 16 |
Growth channels credited
| Communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups) | 100% | |
| Organic social media | 73% | |
| SEO & organic search | 47% | |
| Word of mouth & referrals | 39% | |
| Paid ads | 37% |
Share of 302 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Industries in this group
| Software & SaaS | 152 | |
| Agencies & services | 58 | |
| Newsletters, blogs & media | 40 | |
| AI tools & apps | 33 | |
| Marketplaces & platforms | 28 | |
| Courses & education | 25 |
Tools named most: Instagram (32%), Twitter (25%), Shopify (19%), QuickBooks (11%), Google Drive (9%) — of 53 that listed tools.
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShipMonkAgencies & services | Ecommerce order fulfillment and logistics services | $62.5Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| MonetizeMoreAgencies & services | ad revenue optimization for publishers | $8Mfounder interview 2019 | Canada |
| Xero ShoesFashion, apparel & accessories | minimalist shoes and sandals | $6.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| Diesel LaptopsOther physical products | diesel diagnostic hardware, software and services | $4.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| OffiNeedsOther physical products | Corporate gifting and custom merchandise | $3.4Mfounder interview 2022 | India |
| WildBeauty & personal care | Refillable natural deodorant products | $2.8Mfounder interview 2022 | United Kingdom |
| Twinkle Toes Nann...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | in-home childcare and nanny services | $2.5Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Honest FulPhilmentAgencies & services | Sourcing, branding and fulfillment services from China | $2Mfounder interview 2021 | China |
| GR0Agencies & services | SEO and organic growth marketing | $1.8Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| SEO HackerAgencies & services | SEO and digital marketing services | $1.5Mfounder interview 2022 | Philippines |
| Tuft & PawHome, lifestyle & gifts | Modern cat furniture and litter boxes | $1.3Mfounder interview 2022 | Canada |
| MailmodoSoftware & SaaS | No-code interactive email marketing software | $1.3Mfounder interview 2021 | — |
| WorkologyNewsletters, blogs & media | HR resources, podcast and workplace tools | $1Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| Chibi DinosOther | Play-to-earn NFT basketball game | $1Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| INFINITE DISCSOutdoor, sports & travel | Disc golf equipment and discs | $1Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| Midas.InvesmentsFinance & real estate | crypto investment platform with passive-income products | $1Mfounder interview 2022 | United Arab Emirates |
| ScalenutAI tools & apps | AI-powered SEO and content marketing platform | $858Kfounder interview 2022 | India |
| PVM ITAgencies & services | Software engineering services for big data storage and analytics | $600Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| 24/7 GolfOutdoor, sports & travel | Golf simulators for personal and commercial use | $500Kfounder interview 2018 | Australia |
| CognotaSoftware & SaaS | learning operations software for enterprises | $500Kfounder interview 2023 | Canada |
Revenue as the founder reported it in a Starter Story interview, at the interview date; not current revenue. “What it sells” is a 1M.chat summary. Channels come from Starter Story's listed growth channels and from what founders said worked in their interviews, grouped by 1M.chat. How this data is built
Questions
How much do businesses that credited communities (reddit, forums, slack groups) typically make?
Among 302 businesses that credited communities (reddit, forums, slack groups) with founder-reported revenue, the median was $20.4K a month at the time of the interview. The sample is founders who chose to be interviewed, so it leans toward businesses that were already working; treat it as a range of real outcomes, not an average for everyone who tries.
How many businesses that credited communities (reddit, forums, slack groups) reached $1M a year?
82 of 302 (27%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did businesses that credited communities (reddit, forums, slack groups) find customers?
Of 302 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups) (100%), organic social media (73%), SEO & organic search (47%), word of mouth & referrals (39%), paid ads (37%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
Partner services
Setting one up yourself?
Sleek
Register an Australian company
ASIC registration, company secretary and address handled in one place. Use code AF774200 at sign-up for a partner offer.
See detailsSleek
Register a Hong Kong company
Incorporation, company secretary, registered address and annual filings in one place. Use code AF748473 at sign-up for a partner offer.
See detailsBizCover
Compare small business insurance (Australia)
Online quotes for public liability, professional indemnity and business insurance packs for Australian small businesses.
See detailsThese are partner links: 1M.chat may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what the case studies say. Disclosure