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In 2026, building an AI product is easier than ever, but getting traction and finding customers is the real challenge. In episode 82 of Tool Use, we sit down with Mano Tsiris, a serial exited founder and head of growth at Optimal AI, to break down the ultimate go-to-market strategy for technical founders and builders. Discover how to validate your startup ideas and talk to users before writing a single line of code. Mano shares his proven marketing playbook, including how to build in public on LinkedIn, repurpose content using AI tools like Gemini and Claude Code, and leverage IRL events to grow your network. Whether you are bootstrapping a side project or trying to get your first hundred users, this conversation is packed with actionable advice on distribution, audience building, and standing out in a crowded market.
Mano Tsiris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanueltsiris
Optimal AI: https://getoptimal.ai
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https://x.com/MikeBirdTech
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:53 - Mindset Shift: From AI Builder to SaaS Seller
00:09:21 - Building in Public & Thought Leadership Strategies
00:11:21 - Repurposing Content & SEO with AI Tools
00:22:12 - A/B Testing & Finding Viral Hooks with Gemini
00:26:56 - Startup Ideation: How to Validate SaaS Ideas Before Building
00:37:02 - The Ultimate AI Marketing Tech Stack for Founders
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