The market for startups and new technology is constantly growing. According to 42matters.com, an average of 1,134 new apps are released on the Apple App Store per day. As of 2023, the SaaS space is worth over $195 billion.
The SaaS industry has increased in size by around 500% over the past seven years. Standing out in this crowded space is a significant challenge nowadays. Today, let’s discuss the Product Hunt campaign. If you are in the process of product development, read on!
Table of Contents
What is Product Hunt?
Product Hunt is a curation of the best new products, every day. Discover the latest mobile apps, websites, and technology products that everyone’s talking about. Users all around the world submit products and discover the latest startup listing.
Why should you consider Product Hunt for listing your startup?
Product Hunt is a perfect place for browsing the latest tech solutions, products, software, and hardware. For over a decade now, PH has attracted indie makers, entrepreneurs, and tech people from across the globe, helping others expand their products, and providing valuable feedback to millions of businesses. Having a successful Product Hunt Campaign may bring you new prospects, clients, and exposure among the tech-savvy community.
When Product Hunt campaign might not be for you?
If you find yourself in the early stages of startup development, I advise you to take a little moment and focus on the core product and its community before launching it to the wider audience. Launching a product is all about engaging the community, brand ambassadors, friends, and colleagues that might support you during this special day and skyrocket the first good impression
Product Hunt campaign preparation, where and how to start?
Product launches should start with in-depth market research, and while Product Hunt is a valuable platform, it constitutes only a small part of the process. To achieve significant success, a comprehensive strategy is essential, one that not only draws traffic to your website but also aligns with your business goals.
Products assets and beautiful visuals
As said earlier, the initial impression is pivotal, as we all tend to purchase based on visuals. Therefore, ensure that your product graphics and assets are exquisitely designed. Emphasize the benefits and address the problems your product solves.
- Convert your logo into animated gif to grab some attention. For the thumbnail, Product Hunt recommends 240×240 pixels. Remember to create a memorable product name and title, too! See an example below.
- You can create product visuals and also insert some product gifs and product videos. This might be an onboarding process presenting how to quickly accomplish a task, or showing overall product’s feeling.
- Create dedicated content and formats for social media promotion. It’s always better to have a ready pack of graphics rather than creating them on the knee at the last moment.
- Consider posting a banner on the top of your website to notify your clients that you are live on Product Hunt and you need their help in spreading the news.
Find a top Hunter in your niche
Product Hunt thrives on community and its support. Consider having a dedicated hunter who consistently posts new products on the platform. The more engaged the hunter is in terms of activity and followers, the better your launch can go.
A top hunter provides a valuable opportunity to tap into their audience. A Product Hunt profile functions as a standalone social media platform. When a product is hunted, the entire following list receives a notification. Building connections with individuals within your niche is crucial. Create a list of top hunters and send them a brief email to inquire if they would be interested in assisting you on the launch day. This strategy costs you nothing but can make a significant difference.
Get creative, product PR for bigger exposure
A startup product launch revolves around solving someone’s problems and providing tailored solutions. In addition it’s also about storytelling and human interactions. If you want to stand out in the crowd, consider how your product can break out of the box. How can you create value for your audience? Many people are in the process of learning how to build a prosperous product and company. They seek information, data, and ready-made templates, strategies they can simply copy and incorporate into their own ventures.
Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge and process. I believe that there is no such thing as a holy grail. Ultimately, many things can be achieved, but it requires a lot of persistence and hard work that not everyone can afford.
How to launch on Product Hunt
When I launched my first iOS app years ago, I documented the entire marketing journey of the product and shared it as a three-part story on Medium. This approach helped me garner extra attention from potential users and individuals interested in tech and productivity. I shared everything I learned, including all the strategies and processes that contributed to reaching our startup goals.
With its catchy title, “I’m 19, and I’ve just launched my first iPhone app,” the story went viral across various social media platforms.
As you might expect, my English wasn’t perfect back then; nevertheless, it achieved my goals. Being authentic and real is, I must say, the best thing on the planet Earth. Meanwhile, start contacting people who might be interested in sharing the story forward. Journalists are waiting for their momentum, and the “cherry on the top” – you might be the next one.
Email marketing as your strong asset
Building a startup is a marathon, not a sprint. At the very beginning of your startup development, you should invest a lot of effort to attract proper beta testers and leads who will help you build the product together. These early adopters can bring you attention on the launch day. Build a marketing list, create valuable content that solves pain points, and let your community be part of your product development – this is the recipe for success.
Prepare engaging copy and communication that will support your Product Hunt campaign. You can provide a discount for your early customers and ask them for a favor to upvote your product and leave a positive review. These people are your army, and they are your greatest asset in this battle. Segment the list based on geography or time zone to reach their inboxes at the right moment.
Product launch strategy
Launching a startup or a SaaS product requires a nuanced and well-thought-out strategy to cut through the noise in the competitive landscape. Begin by thoroughly understanding your target audience and identifying the platforms where they are most active. While Product Hunt is a valuable space, it’s essential not to rely exclusively on it—diversify your approach.
Leverage social media, content marketing, and email campaigns to create a pre-launch buzz. Engage with potential users, gather feedback, and build a community around your product.
What’s the best time to launch on Product Hunt?
Timing is crucial; coordinate your launch with industry events or trends to maximize visibility. Consider offering exclusive early access or incentives to attract initial users. Develop a compelling narrative that clearly communicates the unique value proposition of your product.
Collaborate with influencers or thought leaders in your industry to amplify your reach. Continuous iteration and responsiveness to user feedback post-launch are equally essential for sustaining momentum and ensuring long-term success.
Examples of Product Hunt campaign that went amazing
If you’re wondering how to successfully launch a new product on Product Hunt, I’ve compiled some of the best campaigns I’ve executed. Product Hunt has proven to be an amazing platform for attracting initial customers interested in your product or service.
To sum up, it’s crucial to remember that Product Hunt is just one step in the overall launch journey. Avoid investing all your resources and energy solely in one platform. Think strategically and craft a marketing strategy tailored to your business needs. Simultaneously, identify platforms where your potential buyers spend the most time, and then create compelling materials that resonate with their minds and hearts.
Proud was my first iOS product that I co-founded and launched back in 2017. FYI, it’s no longer available on the App Store.
Proud app
Results:
- 620+ upvotes on Product Hunt
- 500+ emails with the feedback
- 14k+ unique visits on Proud website
- 100 new likes on Facebook
- Proud has been featured on the App Store in 18 countries around Europe.
- Over 600 people are waiting for Proud on Mac.
- 30+ reviews and articles written about Proud, 2 youtube reviews
Sheetgo Workflows
Sheetgo is the no-code automation tool for teams. It allows you to create custom workflows to collect, manage and share data — all from a spreadsheet.
Results:
- 667 upvotes, 61 comments in total
- 3rd product of the year
- Attracted over 1500 free users on the launch day
- 2.000+ visits on the website
Talebook
Uncover user insights faster. Store and analyze all of your valuable research findings in one place.
Results:
- 596 upvotes, 26 comments
- 4th product of the day
- 3.000+ visits on the website
- 500 new product users
If you want to discuss your upcoming product launch strategy, feel free to contact me anytime!
