Spellar AI: How NOT to launch your product

Hello, Product Hunt community, I didn't find how to submit a Story, so I decided to keep it here in discussions. Let me know how to do it!

I'm Artem, CPO and co-founder of Spellar AI. We're launching in a few hours, so today, I'd like to share our journey and the latest developments in Spellar AI, a tool designed to enhance English communication skills using AI technology. My own experience in an international work environment led to the creation of Spellar AI. I passed my job interview in English but struggled with everyday talk. To cope, I prepared scripted responses for meetings, which was inefficient. This challenge inspired Spellar AI, aiming to make mastering languages easier and less intimidating. At Spellar AI, we've focused on developing features that address language learning challenges and communication struggles. These include real-time chat assistance, personalized feedback, practice sessions tailored to individual needs, and a key point on how to answer the question: «Why should I return to this application?» We aim to bridge the gap between language learning and practical application, especially in professional settings, by providing users with valuable tools and resources that not only enhance their language skills but also provide ongoing value and motivation to continue using the application. Reflecting on the founding of our company, it was a hell of a journey. We developed the Beta version of our macOS app in just 1.5 months, aiming for a launch in early September. Navigating Apple's App Store review process can be challenging, so imagine our astonishment when we got approval just 5 hours before our marketing campaign kicked off! Originally named "Speechy AI" we launched our Beta in September and quickly rose to the top on ProductHunt. The user feedback was invaluable, revealing that while people loved the app, they were unsure about its long-term value. This led us to focus on completing the user flow and enhancing technical aspects. Our initial success also brought unexpected challenges. We achieved excellent SEO, ranking high on Google. However, we soon faced legal hurdles from a wedding company with the same name. It was a significant oversight on our part. The company, noticing our lack of trademark, registered it themselves and then sent us a legal notice, demanding a response within five days to avoid court proceedings. That weekend was intense 🤯, filled with learning and strategizing on how to handle the situation. Fortunately, we found experts who helped us navigate the complexities and reach a settlement on our terms. However, this meant we had to undergo a rebranding. In the past three months, we've diligently worked to prevent any future legal issues. We established companies in both the U.S. and the UK, secured trademarks, and redesigned the app to ensure a seamless user experience, complemented by advancements in our voice analysis technology. On a lighter note, we briefly considered setting up in any country with an internet connection! But another lesson was right around the corner: the importance of meticulous marketing planning and timing. We set a deadline for the new release and announcements, but our process of obtaining an Enterprise Apple account took longer than expected. Since we had a beta version on a personal Apple account, we couldn't launch it publicly and then migrate users to the new app later. Unfortunately, we encountered unforeseen delays and had to move the launch date and marketing plans not once, but three times. It was a frustrating experience, but we learned the importance of adaptability and being prepared for unexpected challenges. When our company account was finally ready, we faced a technical roadblock with Apple: due to Apple's policies, we were required to release a new app with the same name and metadata. This forced us to migrate our existing users to the new app. We integrated an announcement system, navigated through multiple app reviews and rejections, and eventually succeeded in launching the new app and phasing out the old one. And again, we made it right 7 hours before starting the ProductHunt. Imagine facing all these challenges and not giving up on the product you're working on. What ignited our passion was being featured on multiple platforms, witnessing the growth of active users, and receiving feedback from upcoming users every day. We see Spellar AI as a big step in using AI for language learning and improvement. I'm eager to hear your thoughts, especially on our AI and communication skills improvement approach. I'm also curious about which features you think are most interesting or useful for your language improvement. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to a lively discussion! 😉 And yeah, here is the link to the product: https://www.producthunt.com/products/speechy-1-0