Is Product Hunt your only option when you are going to launch products?

Question

I recently noticed that some people publicly launch on their social media to create awareness and later on they benefit from launching on PH or similar platforms.

What is your approach?

Sergey Koshevoy · Accepted Answer

Great question, Nika!

Product Hunt is fantastic, but it’s definitely not the only option. A multi-channel approach can amplify your launch and set you up for long-term success. Here’s a strategy I’ve seen work well:

1️⃣ Pre-launch buzz on social media: Start building anticipation weeks before the launch. Share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes updates, or even polls to engage your audience. This creates an emotional connection and gets people excited to support you.

2️⃣ Leverage your network: Let your personal and professional contacts know what’s coming. A direct message or email can work wonders—people are more likely to support something they feel personally invited to.

3️⃣ Early access with a waitlist: Offer a beta version to early adopters who sign up via your website or landing page. They can later become your Product Hunt upvoters and testimonials.

4️⃣ Launch on multiple platforms: Besides PH, consider Reddit, Indie Hackers, or even LinkedIn, depending on where your audience hangs out. Each platform has its unique culture, so tailor your messaging.

5️⃣ Collaborations and partnerships: Partnering with micro-influencers or other brands in your niche can bring in a fresh audience to your launch.

6️⃣ Iterate and relaunch: Some products see massive success by first launching on a smaller platform, improving based on feedback, and then going big on PH or similar platforms.

Julia Doronina · Answer

+ AppSumo after PH

Meduard · Answer

I've been always launching first on product hunt. But from now on I've decided to try and build a small community first before PH, both so I can validate the idea properly, and when I launch in PH I can get more attention than just posting here directly.

hritik choudhary · Answer

@julia_demyanchuk I want to sell my product on AppSumo, but I don't have GST registration. Is it possible to sell on AppSumo without any tax-related requirements? Additionally, if you have experience selling on AppSumo, how long does it usually take to see results? Please guide me. @julia_demyanchuk

Julia Doronina · Answer

@hritik_choudhary Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s best to clarify this directly with the AppSumo team. As far as I know, registration is required because payments are processed through their payment service. It’s better to discuss this with them directly, especially with their finance department.

Chel Chen · Answer

Great question, I love all the answers and putting it in my launch list; Thanks guys.

KurachiWeb 倉地 俊輔 · Answer

I plan to launch on Uneed and Launching Today as well as PH. I've seen a few times where people launch on multiple directories on the same day.

Business Marketing with Nika · Answer

@julia_demyanchuk I have heard a lot of people talk about this. + know some of them who placed their products here.

But there was a drama around that... like users from this channel are a little bit toxic :D How do you perceive that environment?

Julia Doronina · Answer

@busmark_w_nika We launched on AppSumo ourselves a few months ago. As for toxicity, I honestly didn’t notice any. It might be more often confused with fairly critical feedback, because if you launch on the platform with a product that’s still quite raw, people will start complaining since they’re actually paying money for it, unlike on Product Hunt, where it’s just about voting and showing support. On AppSumo, people vote with their dollars, so they naturally have higher expectations for the product they’re buying. In our experience, we actually received a lot of positive feedback and many ideas for our roadmap.

André J · Answer

PH is GOAT. PH is the Colosseum of innovation. You need no alternative place to launch. And to find out  if you're featurable. Use this equation:

1. If you were not using your product. what alternative would you use?
2. Okay. And what makes your product better than this alternative?

If the answer to question number two is convincing, you are PH-featurable.

Janak Patel · Answer

No, alternatives like BetaList, Indie Hackers, and social media campaigns work well too.

Business Marketing with Nika · Answer

Good to know. Maybe in the future I will test it. @julia_demyanchuk

André J · Answer

@busmark_w_nika Only one place gets you 100000x traffic. Why would you launch elsewhere? You launch once, that's it. You can get attention elsewhere, but that big event that happens once. You want as many eyeballs on you as possible.

Business Marketing with Nika · Answer

@hritik_choudhary I can recommend Uneed or Uneed ? :D I am not sure which one but created by @thomas_sanlis1 and Microlaunch by @said_aitmbarek :)

André J · Answer

@busmark_w_nika Yeah. But then you're spreading your self thin. PH is the most bang for effort there is.

Is Product Hunt your only option when you are going to launch products?

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