5 slack communities every SAAS founder should join

We all can agree that networking is an important aspect of our work life and helps us to be in touch with our colleagues in real-time. And, if I ask you which platform comes to your mind for a quick, seamless, and professional conversation?

Slack, am I right? Or am I right?

Slack is a popular tool for corporate be it small or big. The ease of using Slack with the integration of so many features makes the work highly efficient. Did you know Slack has around 20 Million active users as of 2023, huge number it is. And this is the case with most of the SAAS-based businesses.

SAAS is a commonly used term these days but what does it mean and what is it used for? Let’s find out.

What is SAAS?

Software as a Service is a subscription-based model that gives access to customers to use certain applications over the Internet. For example, Slack is a service that is provided by a host to multiple companies on a recurring fee basis to access its features and functionalities. 

The reason behind SAAS businesses being so popular is the complete revolution of corporate life. Can you imagine, how much time it took the companies to go through the sales process and then install a single application to their systems? Additionally, it has been found that around 70% of the apps used by the companies are SAAS-based and are expected to grow up to 85% by 2025, according to research.

Importance of networking for the SAAS founders

SAAS is a profitable market but equally hard to crack, which is why building relationships with people in the same domain is necessary. Networking with the community is highly efficient if you are a SAAS founder, the reason being you have to wear multiple hats and you need people around, who can relate to the challenges you face. These communities will help you answer the most important and the silliest questions you have ever pondered.

These communities are a helping hand for SAAS founders where you can find people working in the same industry, you can even meet your co-founders, maybe an angel investor, and more collaboration opportunities to promote your products. There are several ways you can network with people, some common ones are sharing your story on LinkedIn because storytelling makes you feel connected to the people around you, and you can even help others by answering the questions faced by them in other communities such as on Reddit.

What are SAAS communities?

SAAS communities are spaces where people with similar interests come together to help each other. Here, you can find people who have built SAAS products or are on the way to developing one, these people are ready to impart their wisdom to others.  

These communities will help you with the following -

• Find people who might like your idea and want to work with you.
• In case you have a great idea but no clue about how to build SAAS, you’ll be directed to the best outsourcing software development companies to help you out.
• You can get honest feedback on your software products without any sugar coating and they’ll also advise you on how to make them better.
• People in the communities regularly share their learnings, tips, and insights for you to learn.
• Investors looking to support potential startups may find your product interesting and fund your startup.

These are some of the reasons why you as a founder should be part of the SAAS communities, everyone needs people around to help them to keep going and not quit after a defeat. Below, we have shared a list of 5 most active communities on Slack which SAAS founders should join without fail.

Top 5 Slack communities for SAAS founders

1. Indie Hackers‍
   It is an open, online community with founders of successful businesses sharing their stories and wisdom. Here, you can even find people aspiring to build products and get help from the community without any judgment. The key principles here are transparency and relationship building.
2. ‍Growth Mentor‍
   This is an invite-only community where 600+ expert startup and marketing mentors join the platform and the aspiring founders connect with them to get help from them. This platform will help you out with overcoming any challenges using 1:1 unlimited video calls on a single flat subscription rate. The noticeable principle is you get 100% original feedback and support specifically tailored to you.
3. ‍ProductHunt‍
   It is one of the most famous online community for tech enthusiasts to discover new tech products. On Product Hunt, you can meet founders who are building SAAS products and investors who are always on the lookout to find that once-in-a-lifetime kind of product to invest in. Regular discussions take place where one can request feedback, give tips, share stories, and share insights.
4. ‍GrowthHackers‍
   This is an invite-only community aiming to bring founders, business owners, marketers, and product developers together. Several benefits will help you out in your journey, you can access the platform after sending an invite request which will be accepted after two business days. You’ll receive advice from industry experts, and find new and intricate ways of marketing and other techniques. You also get access to exclusive member-only events which are quite insightful, and Q&A activities too.
5. ‍Product-Led Alliance‍
   It is an active community for product managers from junior to chief officers. It has an extensive collection of broadcasts, podcasts, and guides to help you out with your product. These guides are invaluable because they have been written by people who are well-established in the market and know the nooks and crooks of it. Here, you can discuss and meet people in person, exchange ideas, get recommendations and other insights, etc.

Making a name for yourself in the SAAS industry can be hard but you know what is much harder, surviving. So, all you have to do in your journey is stick to it but it is easier said than done, and what better than a group of people who get you and are ready to help you out at any given stage?

Leveraging the communities is one of the many channels that you can use to scale, it's always better to take the expert’s advice whether you are building your product or you have a product that you are trying to scale, we can connect you with growth experts across industries.