I was responding to the original claim that a distribution channel requires capital or connections, which from my own experience is a false statement.
You are right that free advertising requires work like engaging in the community, but all startups require a considerable amount of work, and if you have a little bit of online savviness engaging with a community is very easy.
I know that from the time I went from $0 to $10,000 MRR I spent about $100 in online advertising, and I know countless other businesses that have done the same. Maybe if your plan is to create the next Facebook it is harder, but if you have a high quality niche startup, being able to effectively and cheaply advertise yourself for free is hardly an exception. You can always broaden your scope later.
You are right that free advertising requires work like engaging in the community, but all startups require a considerable amount of work, and if you have a little bit of online savviness engaging with a community is very easy.
I know that from the time I went from $0 to $10,000 MRR I spent about $100 in online advertising, and I know countless other businesses that have done the same. Maybe if your plan is to create the next Facebook it is harder, but if you have a high quality niche startup, being able to effectively and cheaply advertise yourself for free is hardly an exception. You can always broaden your scope later.