# Product Hunt Launch Guide — First-Timer's Step-by-Step SOP

Everything you need to know for your first Product Hunt launch, distilled into an actionable checklist. Based on 30+ #1 Product of the Day wins.

## 4-Week Prep Timeline

### Week 1: Research & Setup
| Day | Task |
|-----|------|
| 1 | Study top 10 launches in your category |
| 2 | Create/optimize your PH maker profile |
| 3 | Identify 5 potential hunters |
| 4 | Draft tagline variations (≤60 chars) |
| 5 | Plan gallery assets (5 images + 1 video) |
| 6-7 | Start engaging in PH community |

### Week 2: Assets & Hunter
| Day | Task |
|-----|------|
| 8-9 | Design gallery images (1200×900px) |
| 10 | Record demo video (≤2 min) |
| 11 | Write maker's first comment (500+ words) |
| 12 | Pitch hunter with personalized message |
| 13-14 | Prepare launch-day content (tweets, emails) |

### Week 3: Community & Warm-up
| Day | Task |
|-----|------|
| 15-16 | Build supporter list (100+ people) |
| 17-18 | DM supporters with preview link |
| 19 | Set up notification sequence |
| 20-21 | Final product polish based on beta feedback |

### Week 4: Launch
| Day | Task |
|-----|------|
| 22-24 | Final asset review and scheduling |
| 25 | LAUNCH DAY (see hour-by-hour below) |
| 26-28 | Post-launch follow-up |

## Hunter Strategy
- Target hunters with 1000+ followers and recent activity
- Pitch with: your product link + why their audience would care
- Give them exclusive early access
- Don't spam — 3 hunters max, personalized messages

## Asset Checklist
- [ ] Thumbnail: Clear, bold, shows the product
- [ ] Tagline: ≤60 chars, benefit-focused, no buzzwords
- [ ] Gallery: 5 images showing key features + 1 demo video
- [ ] First comment: 500+ words, story-driven, includes roadmap
- [ ] Description: Problem → Solution → Differentiator

## Launch-Day SOP
| Time (PST) | Action |
|------------|--------|
| 12:01 AM | Go live |
| 12:05 AM | Post maker's first comment |
| 12:15 AM | Notify inner circle (50 people) |
| 6:00 AM | Send email to full list |
| 8:00 AM | Activate social media posts |
| 12:00 PM | Second wave (communities, groups) |
| 6:00 PM | Thank supporters publicly |
| 11:59 PM | Final push to supporters |

## Post-Launch Conversion
- Set up a "/product-hunt" landing page with special offer
- Reply to every PH comment within 1 hour
- Share milestones in real-time on Twitter
- Follow up with every upvoter who comments

Built by Gingiris — follow [@WeiYipei on X](https://x.com/WeiYipei) for more launch strategies.