🎯

Product Hunt Launch Strategy

A detailed playbook for launching on Product Hunt successfully. Covers preparation, launch day execution, and post-launch follow-up.

4phases•24tasks•~2-4 weeks

Phases & Tasks

Build hunter network
5h
Engage with PH community. Upvote, comment, be genuine. Don't just show up on launch day.
Line up a good hunter (or self-hunt)
1h
Top hunters get more visibility. But self-hunting works if you have an audience.
Create compelling thumbnail (1200x630)
1h 30m
Show your product, not just a logo. Make it eye-catching in a feed.
Write tagline (< 60 chars, benefit-focused)
1h
Focus on what users get, not features. "X for Y" format often works.
Prepare 4-6 gallery images/GIFs
3h
Show the product in action. Demo GIFs > static screenshots.
Write description (first paragraph is crucial)
1h 30m
Lead with the problem you solve. Most people only read the first paragraph.
Draft first comment (your story, not pitch)
1h
Be personal. Why did you build this? What's your journey? People vote for makers.

Announce launch date to your audience
30m
Email list, Twitter, Discord. Let people know when to show up.
Prepare social content for launch day
1h 30m
Draft tweets, LinkedIn posts, email copy. Have it ready to go.
Set up tracking (UTMs for PH traffic)
30m
Know how much traffic PH drives. Track signups from PH separately.
Test your product thoroughly
3h
Nothing kills a launch like bugs. Test signup, core features, payments.
Prepare for support load
1h
Have docs ready, FAQs prepared. Maybe pre-write common responses.
Schedule launch for 12:01 AM PT Tuesday-Thursday
15m
Avoid weekends and Mondays. Tuesday-Thursday tend to perform best.

Post first comment immediately after going live
5m
Your story comment should go up within minutes of launching.
Share on Twitter, LinkedIn, communities
30m
Don't ask for upvotes directly (against TOS). Share what you built.
Email your list
15m
Your email list is your secret weapon. Let them know you launched.
Respond to every comment within 1 hour
5h
Engagement matters for ranking. Thank people, answer questions.
Share milestone updates throughout day
30m
"Just hit 100 upvotes! Thanks everyone!" keeps momentum going.
Thank supporters publicly
30m
Call out people who supported you. Builds community.

Follow up with commenters/supporters
1h
DM people who showed interest. Start conversations.
Collect testimonials
30m
Ask happy users for quotes. Screenshot positive comments.
Analyze traffic and conversions
45m
How many signups from PH? What's the conversion rate?
Write launch retrospective
1h 30m
What worked? What would you do differently? Share publicly.
Repurpose PH assets for other marketing
1h
Your gallery, description, and maker comment are reusable content.

Ready to start this playbook?