Side-project marketing means building small, free tools that solve real problems for your target audience. Instead of spending money on ads or struggling with social media algorithms, you create something valuable that naturally draws people to your main SaaS.

Typical side-projects are calculators, checkers, analyzers, directories, formatters, generators etc.

Why this works for makers:

• You build (your strength) instead of doing marketing (often your weakness).
• Stays with you if your SaaS dies. You can use the side-project to promote your next venture, or sell them, or make profits with them, or even turn one of them into something big.
• Mental break from main project while still generating leads.

The process:

1. Find a micro-problem your audience has. It must be solvable with a simple online tool or content.
2. Build fast. Use AI coding, no-code tools or frameworks you know. Don't over-engineer.
3. Link back to your main SaaS.
4. Promote it seriously. A side-project still needs to be launched and promoted. But it is much easier to do than a paid SaaS.

No code ideas

Notion template

Create a free Notion template related to your niche.

1. Think of your target customer's daily workflow.
2. Build a template solving their organization problem.
3. Add your branding and link to main SaaS.
4. Include a setup guide with a video.