For bootstrappers, how do you grow without paid ads?

I don’t have a big budget for ads, so growth can feel like a slow grind. But some of the most successful bootstrapped startups found creative ways to get traction without spending a dime on marketing.

Some focus on content and SEO, others leverage community-driven strategies, and some build in public to generate organic interest. Some even rely entirely on referrals, virality, or partnerships to scale.

If you’ve grown your product without paid acquisition, what worked best for you? Any underrated strategies that made a big difference?