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Fresh off our recent launch of HackerPulse Dispatch on ProductHunt, our team is thrilled to share our learnings. We have a few successful launches under the belt and have learned a lot in the process.
This is not your average advice post:
We’re delving deep, offering real, tangible tools and strategies to help you plan, execute, and win on ProductHunt.
Let’s go 👇
1. Getting Featured: The Starting Block
To even stand a chance, you first need to earn a spot on ProductHunt's homepage.
💡 Insider Tips to Get Featured:
Be Product-Centric: Ensure your service stands out as a unique product. If it's just an update, present it as a game-changer.
Opt for Subdomains: When launching features, go for subdomains (e.g., feature.domain.com) over subdirectories (e.g., domain.com/new-feature).
Steer Clear of Collections & Guides: ProductHunt has shifted its focus away from these.
Space Out Launches: Wait at least three months between launches. This prevents you from appearing as if you're merely farming traffic.
2. Upvotes Per Hour: The New Success Metric
The average number of upvotes per hour is now a crucial determinant of your ProductHunt ranking.
💡 Strategies to Maximize Upvotes Per Hour:
Segment by Timezone: Align your communication with global time zones. Enzo Avigo, founder of Juno.so, recommends:
🇪🇺 9am CET for Europe
🇺🇸 3pm CET for USA
🇮🇳 9pm CET for Asia
This involves sending out targeted newsletters, tweets, and posts, timed for each region.
3. Tools for Launch Day:
Having the right toolkit can significantly streamline your launch on Product Hunt:
ProductWars: For tracking your launch performance and how you compare.
PreviewHunt: Get a preview of how your launch will appear on ProductHunt.
ProductHunt Checklist from HackerPulse: A simple to do list that we’ve prepared to help you stay on track.
Copy Planning Notion Doc: We’ve specially created a notion document to help you plan out your launch copy. It has pre-set character counts for each ProductHunt text category.
Community Sharing: A comprehensive list of communities where you can share your launch for added visibility.
Alternative Launch Platforms: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Know where else you can launch your product for maximum exposure.
Notus: Can help you find opinion leaders in your niche and engage with your target demographics a few weeks prior your launch. The CEO of Notus Yuliya Bel, shared with us that many products have seen success with this strategy.
4. Post-Launch Actions:
Your work isn’t done when your product goes live. Here's what you need to do next:
Collect Reviews: Focus on your ProductHunt page. User testimonials can significantly boost interest. Products with reviews can get up to 8x more traffic than those without. Reviews not only increase visibility on ProductHunt but also improve your product’s SEO.
Other Game-Changing Strategies:
The Power of Video: Invest in a quality video, if possible. It can significantly boost traffic. Don’t have the budget? We’ve seen products succeed by a founder creating a special Loom video that explained the product.
Influencer Engagement: Secure buy-in from industry leaders and fellow ProductHut makers early on for added visibility. Outreach them ahead of time with your launch page.
Engage Everywhere: Engage with every single comment, across all platforms. High engagement can boost your product's visibility on algorithms.
Reply to every comment you receive on your launch.Plan, Plan, Plan: Organize every aspect of your launch well in advance. Schedule your launch and have a pre-launch page so the early adopters of the platform find you even before the launch day.
Consider working with a Hunter: the jury is out on this one, but OnDeck alum Sukhpal Saini recommends working with one, he had success with KP.
Finally, remember that while ProductHunt's algorithms may change, the principles of engagement, value proposition, and authentic relationships remain constant. This guide is your blueprint, but like any strategy, it should be tweaked and evolved as the digital landscape shifts.
Good luck, and may your product reign supreme on ProductHunt! If you have more insights or tips, drop them in the comments. Let's uplift each other in this journey.
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