Win on Product Hunt: A Step-by-Step Action Plan
Proven plan from one “Product of the Day” in 2024
In this Substack, you will learn:
What goals and benchmarks should you set up
Action plan for your Product Hunt Launch Day
How Videco reached #1 PoD and an investment opportunity with +840 upvotes and +360 comments (and still growing)
And some rants by yours truly 🤠 about how you can simply buy this badge
Up for a kitty hunting adventure? 😼
Dear GTM Strategist!
Like it or not, the “Product Hunt” badge is still a conversion booster.
I get lots of requests for support Product Hunt launches on LinkedIn, so I admit—I am sometimes numb to cold outbound requests on LinkedIn to support random launches of “game-changing products” just because I like tech and to support startups.
I have seen teams that I mentored through accelerators and VC preparing for months to win the #1 Product badge only to see sad retention and monetization post-launch stats. Honestly, I think PH has seen better days, and I prefer to coach my portfolio companies not to bet everything on their PH launches in most cases.
But I know that PH badge helped some of my teams be taken more seriously by VCs and journalists, and to be brutally honest - you can buy your way in without too much effort if you are just doing it for the badge. You build or hire an engagement pod - warm-up profiles to vote for you, pay a mega-hunter to feature you on their newsletter or spam the s*** out of your LinkedIn network and something will stick. I know a team who got it for $200, but let’s talk about gray hat techniques some other times …
Some entrepreneurs in my network have incredible examples of successful PH launches with tangible business results and excellent learnings. You can apply their learnings for either PH or “normal” launches.
I invited Alexandre Contador, CEO & co-founder of Videco.io to tell his very recent story of how to win on Product Hunt in 2024, with a positive ROI on the efforts and resources you invest there.
I am handing over the pen 🖊️to a Product Hunt hero now.
How to reach #1 Product of the Day on Product Hunt? (+realistic results)
by Alexandre Contador, CEO & Cofounder, Videco.io
Launching on Product Hunt is more than just a competition—it’s a chance to showcase what you’ve been working tirelessly on for months. It’s also an opportunity to refresh your brand and get your product noticed by a global audience.
When we decided to launch on Product Hunt, we knew our product wasn’t fully mature yet. In fact, we made a bold decision to completely pivot our core features with only one month left before launch (crazy, I know). Initially, we envisioned our product as an interactive video platform aimed at marketing professionals, but the market was already saturated with similar solutions—many of them overpriced.
So, we shifted gears. We transformed Videco into an AI-powered personalized video platform specifically designed for BDRs (Business Development Representatives) and sales professionals who want to hit their quotas through creative video outreach campaigns. The market was craving something different, and we had the answer.
Despite feeling underprepared and facing significant pressure, we decided to go for it. Let’s be honest—our product is still far from perfect and doesn't fully align with the vision my co-founder and I have for it yet. But we’re driven by our goal to become the best video prospecting platform globally, and we’re committed to making sure our customers are thrilled with their results.
But enough about our story—let’s dive into the exciting world of Product Hunt and how you can aim for the coveted title of #1 Product of the Day.
Why Strive for Product of the Day (and Beyond)?
So, why should you aim for Product of the Day, Week, or even Month on Product Hunt? It’s simple: that badge on your website is more than just a status symbol. It’s a public acknowledgment that, for a moment in time, your product stood out among a sea of other startups, including companies backed by Y Combinator, venture-funded giants, and long-established brands.
For a solopreneur or a small team, this visibility is priceless. It’s the kind of exposure that can change everything.
Reaching it requires a couple of steps. Let's dig in:
Step 1: Prepare in advance
Like everything else in life, preparation is key. You need to be ready and assemble a task force that can help drive your campaign throughout the week. Start by creating standard templates for copy that you’ll use in various situations, including follow-ups. This will save you mental energy and keep you focused.
Next, gather a list of leads or community members who can help give you that initial boost during the first critical four hours. I recommend having at least 1,000 profiles on hand to reach out to.
Additionally, make sure to craft a compelling copy for your product page, your pitch, and a set of community discussion posts. I suggest posting three times per week on Product Hunt before the launch and three times on the day of the launch.
Step 2: Engage heavily in the PH community (PH, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp)
To succeed, you need to be actively engaged in various Product Hunt-related communities—whether it’s on Product Hunt itself, Facebook groups, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp. Supporting others in these communities is crucial, as it builds goodwill and increases the likelihood that they will support you in return.
The philosophy of "give and you shall receive" worked wonders for us. It helped keep us in 1st place from the start of the day until the very end. So don’t underestimate the power of community engagement!
Step 3: Find a good hunter
A "hunter" is anyone who posts a product in Product Hunt. A maker is anyone who has a part in creating the product. You can be both hunter and maker or someone else can also hunt your product. In general, makers try to find a hunter with a big audience so the product gets seen on top of their feed.
Finding a good hunter is crucial to your Product Hunt success. There are several places to connect with experienced hunters, but keep in mind that their inboxes fill up fast. Start reaching out to them as early as possible to ensure you secure the right person for your launch.
Step 4: Optimize your profile and product page
Make sure your Product Hunt profile and product page are fully optimized. Follow Product Hunt's guidelines by adding a video demo, high-quality images in the correct sizes, and a well-structured copy that clearly communicates your product's value. The more polished and professional your page looks, the better the chances of attracting attention.
Step 5: Launch your teaser page
Creating a teaser page is an effective way to start building anticipation for your launch. It allows you to promote your upcoming product, engage with key profiles and communities, and generate buzz before the big day. A strong pre-launch campaign can make all the difference, so use the maximum amount of time before it.
Quick Action Plan for Your Product Hunt Launch Day
Launch at 9 AM CET Sharp
Product Hunt launches start at 9 AM CET, so have your social media images and posts ready to go live at that exact time. Don’t wait—the first 4 hours are crucial for gaining traction.Check If You’re Featured
Review the Product Hunt homepage to see if you’re featured. If you’re not, don’t panic—it’s not the end. Keep pushing hard for that top spot through consistent engagement.Send Subscriber Emails
Launch emails to your subscriber list at four different times, spaced 4 hours apart. This staggered approach ensures your message reaches people at different times and keeps momentum going throughout the day.Engage with Comments Immediately
If you start getting comments, respond right away. Your entire team should be focused on community engagement, especially during those critical first 4 hours. Prompt responses build relationships and keep the conversation active.Ask Questions and Build Connections
When engaging with the community, don’t just respond—ask questions back. This helps create a connection and encourages further interaction, which is key to gaining visibility.Post Across All Communities
Publish updates in all relevant groups and communities to maximize exposure. Make sure you reach out to your network and leads list to gather early support.Monitor Product Performance
Keep an eye on your product’s performance and ensure everything is working smoothly. We use PostHog to track sign-ups and user activity, and it’s been a great tool for monitoring real-time engagement.Schedule Posts for Different Time Zones
If your audience spans multiple time zones, schedule additional posts throughout the day to maintain visibility and engagement as the day progresses.Take Breaks
It’s going to be a long day, so rest when needed. You’ll need your energy to stay focused and responsive as the day unfolds.Celebrate and Share Your Victory
Once you’ve earned that Top Product of the Day badge, don’t forget to share it! It’s a great way to boost morale and keep your product in front of people on social media and beyond.
Here are some results from our own experience:
Reached #1 PoD with +840 upvotes and +360 comments, and still growing:
+300 visits to our website, and +100 signed up for a free trial (we don't have a free version)
+250 visits following day, and recurring
A lot of positive feedback and also some more harsh ones but needed :)
+80 possible opportunities/SQLs
Invited to speak at 2 podcasts and 1 event
1 pre-seed investor
Regions: US, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, BLX, and more.
Post-Launch Reflections
Product Hunt is an interesting marketplace for products looking to test the waters and get feedback from an active audience. But don’t take it too seriously—it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get enough upvotes. Failing to hit the top rankings doesn’t mean your company is doomed. This is simply a competition, and it’s perfectly fine not to be among the top 5 products.
In fact, we noticed that several excellent products ranked below us, even though they deserved higher spots. So, don’t view Product Hunt as a make-or-break situation for your business.
One thing we learned is that Product Hunt also has its share of opportunists. Some individuals or groups try to exploit founders by creating upvote farms, threatening to report your product if you don’t comply with their demands. If you encounter something like this, it’s important to be cautious and reach out to Product Hunt support for help.
Aside from that, as long as you prepare well and stay focused on your goals, Product Hunt can be a valuable experience for your product launch.
My sincere congratulations to Alexandre and his team.
He really made me rethink my relatively cynical attitude towards Product Hunt and I am so happy to see this team build and win in public 🏆
Product Hunt, yes or no - it is your choice.
But remember, there is no time or money to waste in Q4.
Either go all in and be in it to win it … or don’t do it and focus these effrts to some other GTM tactic that will produce better results for you.
So - are you in or are you out?
Happy hunting - on Product Hunt or wherever your target audience may be.
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