What’s the One Thing You Wish You Knew Before Your First Launch?

Question

Looking back at your first Product Hunt launch, is there something you wish you had known beforehand?

Maybe it’s a strategy that worked wonders later, a mistake you learned from, or even a small tip that made a big difference.

For me, I realized how important timing and community engagement are—but it took a lot of trial and error to figure that out.

Share the lessons you’ve learned and the advice you’d give to someone preparing for their first launch. What’s your golden nugget of wisdom?

Beckett Thomas · Accepted Answer

Timing and community engagement are crucial start building relationships early for a successful launch!

Elara Thorn · Answer

Storytelling is also important. Many times what people support is not necessarily the product itself, but the story behind the product.

sietse schelpe · Answer

Yes, but also to watch out for scammers, knowing failing isn’t bad , you just try again .

Sonu Goswami · Answer

@elara_thorn Nice point!

Ijeoma Florence · Answer

From my experience, I didn't realize how crucial post-launch momentum is. It's just as important as the launch itself.

Justice Ojoka · Answer

I learned the hard way  that having a solid support system on launch day

Jaimy james · Answer

Timing really matters,  but what I wish I had known was how essential it is to build a buzz beforehand.

Hamza Afzal Butt · Answer

@elara_thorn yeah this is right :)

Rachel Marie Thompson · Answer

Wish I knew how important pre-launch marketing was to build excitement! And to use PH launch as a forcing function to ship MVP, even if it's not perfect yet. Just get it out there, learn, and iterate.

Sulemna Ola · Answer

I wish someone had told me how important it is to refine the messaging.

Elara Thorn · Answer

@sahil_seth Yes that’s right! On the one hand, negative reactions can promote the growth of the product. To take a step back, everything has two sides. Some people like it and some people don’t like it. We accept and allow opposing voices, which is normal.

Sahil Seth · Answer

@elara_thorn It's been interesting to me how negative reaction to a story behind a product is still better than no reaction! All the "I'm scared of AI" is only fueling the launches of some of these products

Miklesh Pal · Answer

For me the Product Hunt community turned out to be incredibly supportive. Active engagement really my launch.

Sahil Seth · Answer

@beckett_thomas So true. Also so much easier said than done!

Answer

Before my first launch, I wish I knew the importance of building anticipation and engaging early with my audience to maximize impact. Understanding the significance of a strategic marketing plan can make all the difference in achieving success.

What’s the One Thing You Wish You Knew Before Your First Launch?

Replies