How to install product-hunt-launch
npx skills add https://github.com/kostja94/marketing-skills --skill product-hunt-launchFull instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from kostja94/marketing-skills.
name: product-hunt-launch description: When the user wants to launch on Product Hunt, prepare a PH submission, or plan launch day (hunter, first comment, timing, upvotes). Also use when the user mentions "Product Hunt," "launch on Product Hunt," "PH launch," "Product Hunt submission," "hunter," "Product of the Day," "upvotes," or "Product Hunt first comment." For multi-platform directory listings and paste-ready copy beyond PH, use directory-submission. metadata: version: 1.1.0
Channels: Product Hunt Launch
Guides preparing and executing a Product Hunt launch. Product Hunt is a community-driven product discovery platform; only ~10% of submissions get featured on the homepage. Best for SaaS, developer tools, AI/ML products, and productivity software. Physical products and service businesses have limited success.
When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
Initial Assessment
Read project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, use Sections 1–4, 5, 6, 8, 9 for submission content.
Identify:
- Product type: SaaS, AI tool, app, Chrome extension
- Launch readiness: Landing page, screenshots, tagline, first comment
- Hunter: Self-hunt or Top Hunter (optional but helps)
30-Day Preparation Plan
| Phase | Days | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Teaser | 30–21 | Build "notify me" page; decide self-hunt vs hunter; engage in community |
| Supporters | 20–11 | Build list of 200+ (makers, industry contacts, followers, users) |
| Assets | 10–3 | Finalize tagline (≤60 chars), gallery images (1270×760), demo video (<2 min), maker comment, 3–5 topic tags; build awareness on X/LinkedIn 2–4 weeks before |
| Launch day | 2–1 | Clear calendar for 16+ hours; Product Hunt runs midnight–midnight Pacific |
Product Hunt Fields
| Field | Spec |
|---|---|
| Tagline | ≤60 chars; no emojis unless part of product name; catchy, benefit-focused |
| Gallery | 1270×760 px recommended; readable, show product value |
| Demo video | <2 minutes; optional but recommended |
| First comment | Post immediately; story-driven, not feature list; significantly impacts engagement |
| Topic tags | 3–5 relevant; match Product Hunt taxonomy |
Launch Day Strategy
| Practice | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Timing | Tuesday–Thursday; 12:01am Pacific works best |
| Narrative | Create story (problem → solution), not feature list |
| Engagement | Reply to every comment; thank supporters; answer questions |
| Avoid | Begging for upvotes (risk of shadowban) |
Principle: Product Hunt is a visibility amplifier and credibility boost—not primarily a customer acquisition channel.
Realistic Expectations
| Outcome | Upvotes | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | 50–100 | — |
| Average | 200–400 | Top 10 |
| Good | 500–800 | Top 5 |
| Great | 800+ | Product of the Day |
Beyond Listing
| Offering | Use When |
|---|---|
| Product Hunt Daily | Newsletter feature; high-intent audience |
| Social promotion | PH shares on X, LinkedIn; launch-day amplification |
| Featured placement | Paid promotion options |
Post-Launch
- Continue engaging with new users
- Thank-you emails to supporters
- Ask for feedback
- See directory-submission for other directories; cold-start-strategy for full launch plan
Output Format
- Readiness checklist (tagline, gallery, first comment, topic tags)
- First comment draft (story-driven)
- Tagline options (≤60 chars)
- 30-day timeline (if planning ahead)
Related Skills
- directory-submission: Taaft, G2, curated lists; Product Hunt is one directory—see for multi-platform submission
- cold-start-strategy: Full launch plan; Product Hunt as channel
- indie-hacker-strategy: Indie hacker Product Hunt, first 100 users
- media-kit-page-generator: Press kit, screenshots for launch
- analytics-tracking: UTM for Product Hunt traffic attribution
Related skills
More from kostja94/marketing-skills and the wider catalog.
product-launch
When the user wants to plan a product launch, execute launch channels, or create a launch checklist. Also use when the user mentions "product launch," "launch strategy," "product announcement," "launch channels," or "market launch." For GTM motion and positioning, use gtm-strategy. For cold start and first users, use cold-start-strategy. For Product Hunt day-of, use product-hunt-launch.
products-page-generator
When the user wants to create, optimize, or audit a product listing or category page. Also use when the user mentions "product page," "product listing," "shop," "e-commerce products," "product catalog," "product grid," "product cards," or "product overview." For category SEO, use category-page-generator.
programmatic-seo
Create SEO pages at scale using templates and structured data, with AI-assisted per-URL differentiation.
public-relations
When the user wants to plan PR, write a press release, or manage media relations. Also use when the user mentions "public relations," "PR," "press release," "media relations," "news release," "journalist," "media coverage," "product announcement," or "earned media." For on-site "As Seen In" or logos page, use press-coverage-page-generator.
rebranding-strategy
When the user wants to plan or execute a rebrand—domain change, 301 redirects, migration, or announcement. Also use when the user mentions "rebranding," "rebrand," "domain change," "domain migration," "301 redirect," "change domain name," "rebrand announcement," "social media rebrand," "brand launch," or "domain redirect." For domain choice, use domain-selection.
reddit-ads
When the user wants to set up, optimize, or manage Reddit Ads. Also use when the user mentions "Reddit Ads," "Promoted Posts," "subreddit targeting," "Reddit advertising," or "Reddit communities." For organic Reddit, use reddit-posts.