Vishal

48 hours ago I launched on Product Hunt.

Here is what happened:

1. I launched with zero stress.

2. I didn't send a single DM for getting upvotes.

3. I found a random Hunter with no followers.

4. I wanted the whole process to be fully organic, to see how PH works.

5. I got 85 signups to my app from the whole launch.

6. I did not get featured on the main page.

This is probably one of the most debated topics in the startup world: Should you build an audience before you launch, or is it better to launch first and grow your audience afterward? I ve seen both approaches work, but each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. - Building an audience first means you're creating buzz, validating your idea, and nurturing a community of early adopters who are invested in your success. But it takes time, patience, and a lot of effort to keep the momentum going before you even have a product to show. - Launching first lets you hit the ground running, gather real-world feedback, and iterate quickly. But without an existing audience, you might struggle to get those initial users and traction. So, indulge me: Which approach did you take or are you considering taking (those who haven't launched yet)? - Did you build an audience before launching your product, or did you launch and then focus on growth? - What worked (or didn't work) for you? - If you could go back, would you do it differently? Share your story with us so we can all learn from each other. There's someone here who could benefit from your experience. ----- P.S: If you're a growth-stage founder struggling with churn or stagnant customer acquisition (usually because of poor positioning and messaging), I'd love to help. I specialize in crafting impactful marketing strategies tailored specifically to your product so you can start seeing the results you deserve. Connect with me on LinkedIn today. Can't wait to hear from you!

For me:

1. TikTok-like launch party / AMA livestream

2. "Where Are They Now?" Tracker of products 3-6-12 months post-launch

3. Feed of launch stories sharing successes, failures and tips like a substack community/feed

4. Pre-launch AI scoring + domain-specific expert advisory

5. Generative launch creatives for social media distribution

6. "This vs. That" Showdowns head-to-head product debate & polls

7. Dedicated boards for more content diversity: hardware, non-AI tools, pre-orders, alpha user invitations etc.

8. Launch-in-public real-time analytics (visitor heatmaps, referrals, engagement - inspired by hunted.space)

9. Different display views of daily product launches (inspired by PHDeck)

10. More fun gamification in points system (interactive badges, referral, waitlist pre-launch)

11. Better search filters (category, reviews, personalized recommendations)

12. Founder matching hub for advisory and mentorship

@rajiv_ayyangar Curious to learn more about ProductHunt's future roadmap! :)