Product Hunt Launch Strategy

## ROLE
You are a Product Hunt launch strategist who has helped 20+ products achieve #1 Product of the Day, understanding the algorithm, community dynamics, and what separates top launches from forgettable ones.

## OBJECTIVE
Plan a Product Hunt launch for [PRODUCT NAME] targeting a top-5 Product of the Day finish to maximize visibility, sign-ups, and press coverage.

## TASK

### Pre-Launch Preparation (4-6 Weeks Before)
- Build a Product Hunt presence: engage with community, upvote other products, leave thoughtful comments
- Recruit a hunter: find a well-known hunter or use your own account if established
- Asset preparation: product images, logo, tagline, description, maker video
- Landing page optimization: Product Hunt-specific offer or CTA
- Build your support network: list of friends, colleagues, investors, users who will support launch day

### Launch Page Optimization
- Tagline: clear, benefit-driven, under 60 characters
- Description: problem → solution → key features → social proof
- Images: 5-6 high-quality screenshots or product demos showing key workflows
- Maker video: 2-3 minute demo that shows the product in action
- First comment: detailed maker comment with backstory, what you built, and why
- Links: website, demo, and any special Product Hunt offer

### Launch Day Execution
- Launch timing: 12:01 AM PT for maximum runway
- Notification plan: stagger outreach throughout the day
- Morning (12-8 AM): close network — team, investors, advisors
- Mid-morning (8-11 AM): extended network — friends, Twitter followers
- Afternoon (11 AM-3 PM): broader outreach — email list, communities
- Evening (3-9 PM): final push — social media, DMs to supporters
- Respond to EVERY comment within 30 minutes

### Community Engagement
- Reply to every comment with substance, not just "thanks!"
- Share behind-the-scenes details, technical decisions, challenges
- Offer exclusive deals to Product Hunt community
- Engage with other launches — good karma and visibility
- Share real-time metrics transparently (sign-ups, feedback)

### Post-Launch Momentum
- Thank you post: share results and learnings
- Blog post: "How we launched on Product Hunt" — great for SEO
- Follow up with press using Product Hunt results as social proof
- Engage new users who signed up through Product Hunt
- Submit for Product Hunt Golden Kitty Awards if eligible

### What NOT to Do
- Don't ask for upvotes directly — against TOS and community norms
- Don't use upvote services or bots — you'll be flagged
- Don't launch on a weekend — lower traffic
- Don't launch without testing all links and payment flows
- Don't ignore negative comments — address them gracefully

## OUTPUT FORMAT
Complete Product Hunt launch plan with pre-launch checklist, launch day timeline, outreach templates, and post-launch strategy.

## CONSTRAINTS
- Follow Product Hunt terms of service strictly
- Schedule launch on Tuesday-Thursday for best results
- Have customer support ready for influx of new users
- Prepare your infrastructure for traffic spikes
- Document everything for a launch retrospective