How I got 5x Top Products on Product Hunt Despite Being a Solo Maker
Launching successfully on Product Hunt is not trivial or easy.
A successful launch can do wonders. Newsletter features, hundreds of customers, thousands in revenue- like it did for me!
But, most product makers (what Product Hunt calls launchers) struggle to get this visibility.
The best product does not always win on Product Hunt- best communities do.
The good news? There is a method to build this up.
The bad news? It takes time and effort.
In the first of four articles on Product Hunt launches, I’ll share my secrets to a good pre-launch prep that got me 5x top product.
Get to know people
To kickstart your pre-launch preparations, it’s important to establish connections and build your online presence. Here are some key actions to take:
- Profile Setup:
Make sure to have a clear and relatable profile picture, preferably with your brand.
Consider adding your brand name to your profile as well. Stack the products you use to showcase your interests. - Link LinkedIn:
Link your LinkedIn profile as it is a common platform for professional networking and communication. Also, include links to your website and other relevant social media accounts. - Engage in communities:
Become an active member of the Product Hunt Community. Join discussions and host valuable conversations to add value and gain followers. Similarly, engage in relevant subreddits and provide valuable insights. - Create an outreach database:
Utilize platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to build a database of potential connections. Make friends and engage with them genuinely instead of simply asking for votes. - Bonus:
Get into communities that are most relevant to your product. Networking here is likely to get you the most consistent support!
Iterate the product
During this phase, focus on refining your product and gathering feedback. Here are the steps to follow:
- Create a landing page:
Develop a website or landing page to showcase your product. This will serve as the primary platform for users to learn more about your offering. More on landing page design and copy in a later article! - Offer beta access:
Provide free or discounted access to beta testers in exchange for their feedback. This will help you refine your product based on real-world usage. - Gather feedback:
Take calls and engage with your initial users to gather valuable feedback. Actively listen to their suggestions and implement necessary improvements.
I got on call with ALL the StartOS users who wished to discuss the system with me! I gained valuable insights, better understood pains, and use this to improve my product and most importantly my landing page. - Create a lead magnet:
Develop a lead magnet such as an e-book or resource that provides value to your target audience. Use it to capture email addresses and build your mailing list.
I used a reduced feature version of my system for StartOS after splitting it up into modules. - Collect testimonials:
Reach out to satisfied users and gather testimonials that highlight the benefits of your product. Display these testimonials on your landing page to build trust and credibility.
Since I got on call with my users, they dropped testimonials, even on the PH launch page when the launch went live!
Getting a Hunter
Hot takes incoming.
A Hunter on Product Hunt is a user who discovers and submits products to the platform.
Hunter vs. Maker:
Hunters share products, while Makers are the individuals or teams behind the products.
Importance of a Hunter:
A Hunter can provide credibility and attract high-quality votes, which are crucial for product ranking. If the Hunter is from your product’s domain, that gives tremendous credibility to your launch.
But if you don’t have a Hunter- don’t worry. Makers who hunt their own products can often do better than ones with Hunters.
Why?
The Hunter’s followers don’t get email notifications. The Maker’s followers always do.
Some hunters will help distribute launches to their communities. If these communities are relevant to you, this can greatly help getting launch traction. This is the kind of Hunter you want!
Plugging in my hunter recommendation here- Rohan Chaubey.
I made a wonderful friend in him, and learned a lot about growth marketing! I’m not affiliated to Rohan monetarily, but he’s just an amazing coach to have.
Picking a Launch Day
Choosing the right launch day plays a vital role in the success of your product’s launch.
Consider the following factors.
Competitiveness
Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) tend to be more competitive on platforms like Product Hunt.
However, they also provide more traffic.
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are less competitive but offer lower traffic.
Product Hunt Newsletter Feature
Top 10 products on weekdays get featured in the daily Product Hunt Newsletter, resulting in higher traffic to the website.
On weekends, the Top 10 Products from Friday to Sunday are combined into one newsletter.
Use this information to balance between visibility and competition.
I chose Monday for StartOS to balance this out- enough traffic to get views on my landing page, while avoiding the competition on Tuesday- Thu. In hindsight, it was the best decision!
My launch note
I wanted StartOS to make a bang when I launched it.
I did not want to hide on the weekends. But as a solo maker, I did not feel I could match the distribution of big teams on Tue-Thu.
I chose Monday for StartOS to balance this out- enough traffic to get views on my landing page while avoiding the competition on Tuesday- Thu.
#1 Product of the Day, over 700 Upvotes and four figures in revenue later I can say it worked out!
Concluding Remark
Product Hunt launch preparation is the part of the iceberg that is beneath the water.
No one sees it.
But the makers of the top products will tell you it is what actually makes 80% of a successful launch.
In the next article I’ll dive into more specific tactics to use, two weeks before your launch.
Originally published at https://ajinkyabhat.com.
