Treendly
About the Company
Treendly, launched in 2019, is a trend-spotting tool designed to identify rising trends before they become mainstream. The tool caters to a diverse audience, including SEO specialists, e-commerce merchants, venture capitalists, and journalists. The software consolidates data from various sources, categorizing and ranking signals to highlight promising trends.
Operating entirely online, Treendly is one of nine SaaS products managed by Mike Rubini. The company’s mission is to expose users to trends they might otherwise overlook, helping them seize opportunities in various industries. Unlike traditional SaaS businesses, Treendly functions with zero employees, relying solely on Rubini’s efforts.
The platform generates revenue through a low-ticket yearly subscription of $99, designed to encourage impulse purchases. Its primary users benefit from its streamlined interface and targeted insights, making it a practical tool for professionals seeking actionable trend data.
Idea Behind Company
Rubini conceived Treendly as a simplified extension of another SaaS product he had built, Cart, which offered trend-spotting for e-commerce merchants. Recognizing the feature’s broader applicability, he spun it off into its own product. His philosophy involves stripping away non-essential features and focusing on core functionalities to serve unmet needs.
The idea stemmed from Rubini’s practice of asking what features could be removed from existing products to create new market opportunities. With Treendly, he transformed a secondary feature into a central offering, appealing to users beyond e-commerce, such as SEO professionals and venture capitalists.
Rubini’s background in music and passion for rapid development influenced his minimalist approach. By focusing on trends, he aimed to provide actionable insights to users without unnecessary complexity, ensuring the product remained accessible and impactful.
Creating the Company
Rubini built Treendly in a single weekend, emphasizing speed and functionality over aesthetics. Using his coding expertise, he quickly prototyped the product and deployed it to the market within a week. His "build fast, launch faster" approach allowed him to validate ideas without excessive planning or overhead.
The core of Treendly lies in its ability to consolidate data from various sources, categorize it, and rank trends by relevance. Rubini leveraged microdata from competitors’ users on platforms like Reddit and Product Hunt to refine his product’s unique value proposition. This method provided early insights into user needs and competitive weaknesses.
Rubini’s iterative process ensures that each SaaS product addresses specific customer pain points. He intentionally avoids spending time on branding or design until the product proves profitable, enabling him to focus solely on delivering value through functionality.
Launching the Business
Treendly debuted on platforms like Reddit, Hacker News, and Product Hunt. Rubini’s launch strategy included addressing common objections through pre-prepared responses, ensuring a smooth user acquisition process. His experience with multiple product launches enabled him to anticipate audience reactions and tailor his approach accordingly.
Reddit, known for its aversion to self-promotion, required a value-driven strategy. Rubini provided detailed posts that shared insights while subtly introducing Treendly. On Hacker News, he focused on the technical aspects of the product to resonate with the platform’s developer audience.
Product Hunt, while less predictable, offered an opportunity to gain visibility among early adopters. Rubini posted early in the day to maximize engagement and leveraged organic traction to attract users. These combined strategies helped Treendly gain its initial customer base without any advertising spend.
Earnings
Treendly contributes $1,000 monthly to Rubini’s $8,000 overall SaaS revenue. Despite its modest earnings, the platform remains profitable due to its low overhead. With no team or external investments, all revenue directly supports Rubini’s entrepreneurial endeavors.
The introduction of a $99/year subscription plan has made Treendly more accessible while generating steady income. Rubini supplements this revenue through related offerings, including a free newsletter and a Chrome extension, which also serve as marketing tools.
Looking ahead, Rubini plans to expand his portfolio of SaaS products, aiming for an average of five launches per year. His focus remains on scalability and efficiency, ensuring each product maximizes profitability with minimal resources.
