Side Project Marketing: Why "Unbundling" Your Product Works
Unsplash started as a side project for a design agency. It became bigger than the agency. Building small, focused tools is the best way to enter a market.
What is Unbundling?
Unbundling is Extracting a specific feature from a larger platform and offering it as a standalone product.
The 3 Core Benefits
Sharper Value Prop
A "PDF Compressor" is easier to market than a "Full PDF Editing Suite." It solves one problem perfectly.
Keyword Dominance
You can exact-match the domain name. `compresspdf.com` ranks better than `adobe.com/features/compress`.
Lead Funnel
The side project captures the user. Then you upsell. "Done compressing? Edit the text with our Pro Tool."
The Unbundling Playbook
Identify the "Utility"
Look at your product. What small utility function gets used the most? (e.g., A color picker, A headline analyzer, A tax calculator).
Strip the Login
Put it on a new domain or subdomain. Remove the login wall. Make it instant. The value is in the speed.
Brand it Differently
Give it a fun name. "The Colorizer" sounds better than "Acme Corp Color Tool." Make it friendly and viral.
The "Powered By" Link
Put "Made with ❤️ by [Your Main SaaS]" in the corner. This is your backlink and your traffic source.
Mesh Monetization
Since side projects get high traffic but low direct revenue, they are PERFECT for Mesh. Earn credits there to spend on your main, high-LTV site.
All-in-One Marketing vs. Side Project Marketing
| Feature | All-in-One Marketing | Side Project Marketing |
|---|---|---|
| Message | Complex | Simple |
| CAC | High | $0 (Viral) |
| Traffic | Low Volume | High Volume |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a subdomain or new domain?
New domain (`tool.com`) if you want it to rank independently. Subdomain (`tools.main.com`) if you want to boost your main domain's authority.
Is this distracting?
It can be. Don't build a complex side project. Build something you can finish in a weekend and never touch again.
Can I monetize the side project?
Don't charge money. Charge attention (Upsells) or use it for Mesh credits. The goal is Top of Funnel.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
Ready to get instant traffic from trusted founders?
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