How do you get your first customers without spending money on ads?

Paid ads can bring traffic, but not every early-stage startup has the budget to run them

Some founders use cold outreach, others build an audience through content, and some find their first users in online communities

There are many ways to get attention, but finding people who actually need your product is the real challenge

For founders and SaaS makers, what worked best for getting your first customers without paid ads?