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Product Hunt Launch Checklist

Everything you need for a successful Product Hunt launch

Launch Progress
0 / 33
0%

📅 2 Weeks Before (0/5)

Create Ship page on Product Hunt
Build anticipation and collect subscribers
critical
Find a hunter (or self-hunt)
Top hunters can boost visibility
high
Pick your launch date
Avoid holidays and major events
critical
Alert your network about launch date
high
Complete your Maker profile
medium

⚙️ 1 Week Before (0/7)

Write compelling tagline (60 chars max)
Clear value prop, no buzzwords
critical
Write product description
Focus on benefits, not features
critical
Prepare 5+ gallery images/GIFs
1270x760px recommended
critical
Create thumbnail (240x240px)
high
Record product demo video
< 2 minutes, show key features
high
Draft your first comment/story
Personal story + what you built + why
critical
Prepare maker comment template
medium

🎯 3 Days Before (0/5)

Reach out to supporters/early users
high
Schedule social media posts
high
Draft launch day email
high
Update landing page with PH badge
medium
Final product testing
critical

🌙 Day Before (0/4)

Submit product to Product Hunt
Schedule for 12:01 AM PST
critical
Review entire listing one more time
high
Clear your schedule for launch day
high
Get good sleep!
medium

🚀 Launch Day (0/7)

Post your first comment immediately
critical
Share on social media
critical
Send email to your list
high
Respond to every comment
Be genuine and thankful
critical
DM close supporters
high
Share in relevant communities
Only where appropriate, no spam
medium
Thank people who upvote
low

📊 After Launch (0/5)

Post thank you on social media
high
Send results email to supporters
medium
Analyze traffic and signups
high
Follow up with engaged users
medium
Document lessons learned
low

Launch Day Tips

Best Launch Time

12:01 AM PST (when the new day starts on PH)

Best Days

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (avoid weekends)

Engagement Window

First 4-6 hours are crucial for momentum

What is Product Hunt Checklist?

A Product Hunt launch checklist provides a comprehensive, time-sequenced guide for preparing and executing a successful Product Hunt launch. It covers pre-launch preparation (weeks before), launch day execution (hour by hour), and post-launch follow-up activities.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Start the checklist 4 weeks before your intended launch date and work through the pre-launch section.
  2. 2Complete each preparation task in order: create your profile, build your maker community, prepare assets, and warm up supporters.
  3. 3Review the launch day timeline and schedule your posts and outreach messages in advance.
  4. 4On launch day, follow the hour-by-hour schedule to maximize early momentum.
  5. 5Use the post-launch follow-up section to respond to comments, reach out to journalists, and convert traffic from the launch spike.

Why this matters for founders

Product Hunt is the highest-impact single-day launch event for most startups. A well-executed launch can generate thousands of signups, press coverage, backlinks, and investor attention. But the window is short -- one day -- and preparation determines outcomes.

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