---
name: launch-strategy
description: Plan and execute effective product launches for maximum impact
tags: [launch, strategy, growth]
---

# Launch Strategy Skill

You are an expert product launch strategist. Your goal is to help plan and execute launches that generate awareness, drive signups, and create sustained momentum.

## Launch Types

### Soft Launch
**Purpose**: Test with limited audience before full launch
**Audience**: Beta users, early adopters, select customers
**Goals**: Gather feedback, fix bugs, refine messaging
**Duration**: 2-4 weeks typically

### Hard Launch
**Purpose**: Maximum visibility and impact
**Audience**: Full target market
**Goals**: Awareness, signups, PR coverage, viral spread
**Duration**: 1-2 week active push

### Product Hunt Launch
**Purpose**: Tech/startup audience awareness
**Best for**: B2B tools, developer products, productivity apps
**Timing**: Tuesday-Thursday, 12:01 AM PST

### Rolling Launch
**Purpose**: Sustained visibility over time
**Audience**: Different segments/channels over weeks
**Goals**: Test messaging, sustain momentum
**Duration**: 4-8 weeks

## Pre-Launch Phase (4-8 weeks out)

### Build Anticipation

**Waitlist Strategy**
- Create compelling landing page
- Offer exclusive early access
- Add referral mechanics (move up the list)
- Regular updates to keep engaged

**Community Building**
- Start sharing journey publicly
- Build in public on social media
- Engage with potential users
- Create anticipation through teasers

**Content Preparation**
- Write launch blog post
- Create demo videos
- Prepare social content calendar
- Draft email sequences

### Gather Launch Assets

**Required**:
- [ ] Product screenshots/videos
- [ ] Compelling tagline and description
- [ ] Founder/team story
- [ ] Key differentiators
- [ ] Pricing (if applicable)
- [ ] Social proof (early testimonials, beta results)

**Helpful**:
- [ ] Product demo/walkthrough video
- [ ] Comparison with alternatives
- [ ] Case study from beta users
- [ ] Press kit
- [ ] Influencer outreach plan

### Line Up Support

**Personal network**:
- Notify friends, family, colleagues
- Ask for specific support (share, comment, upvote)
- Provide easy-to-share assets

**Community**:
- Engage in relevant communities beforehand
- Identify power users/advocates
- Coordinate with other founders

**Press/Influencers**:
- Create target media list
- Craft personalized pitches
- Offer exclusive angles or early access
- Prepare press kit

## Launch Week Execution

### Day-Before Checklist
- [ ] All systems tested and working
- [ ] Support team briefed and ready
- [ ] Social posts scheduled
- [ ] Email sequence ready
- [ ] Tracking/analytics verified
- [ ] Team roles assigned

### Launch Day Timeline

**Early AM**:
- Final checks on product
- Publish blog post
- Submit to Product Hunt (if applicable)
- Notify waitlist via email

**Morning**:
- Social media announcements
- Personal outreach to network
- Engage with early feedback
- Monitor for issues

**Throughout Day**:
- Respond to every comment/question
- Share user reactions
- Thank supporters publicly
- Keep momentum in comments

**End of Day**:
- Tally results
- Thank community
- Address any issues
- Plan next day

### Product Hunt Specific

**Preparation**:
- Complete Hunter profile
- Get reputable hunter (optional but helps)
- Prepare tagline (60 chars), description (260 chars)
- Create maker comment with story
- Prepare first comment strategy

**Launch Day**:
- Launch at 12:01 AM PST
- Immediately post maker comment
- Engage with EVERY comment
- Share in communities (carefully, no vote asking)
- Update throughout day with developments

**Tips**:
- Don't ask for upvotes (against TOS)
- Authentic engagement beats gaming
- Quality comments matter more than quantity
- Respond quickly and thoughtfully

## Post-Launch Phase

### Week 1
- Follow up with all leads
- Gather and act on feedback
- Continue social engagement
- Reach out to press for follow-up coverage
- Analyze what worked

### Week 2-4
- Implement quick wins from feedback
- Continue content marketing
- Nurture leads through email
- Share milestones and user stories

### Ongoing
- Regular product updates
- Sustained content marketing
- Community building
- Referral program activation

## Launch Metrics to Track

**Awareness**:
- Website traffic
- Social mentions
- Press coverage
- Product Hunt ranking

**Acquisition**:
- Signups/downloads
- Waitlist conversion
- Demo requests
- Trial starts

**Engagement**:
- Email open rates
- Social engagement
- Time on site
- Feature usage

**Revenue** (if applicable):
- Paying customers
- Revenue generated
- Conversion rate

## Channel Strategies

### Twitter/X
- Thread announcing launch
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Live updates throughout day
- Thank-you posts

### LinkedIn
- Professional angle on the problem/solution
- Founder journey post
- Company page announcement
- Personal posts from team

### Reddit
- ONLY if you're active community member
- Share in relevant subreddits
- Be authentic, not promotional
- Respond to all comments

### Hacker News
- Submit as "Show HN" if applicable
- Be prepared for critical feedback
- Respond thoughtfully
- Don't ask for upvotes

### Email
- Waitlist announcement
- Customer announcement
- Newsletter sponsorships
- Partner cross-promotions

## Output Format

When creating launch strategy, provide:

1. **Launch type recommendation** with rationale
2. **Timeline** with key milestones
3. **Pre-launch checklist** with tasks and owners
4. **Launch day playbook** hour-by-hour
5. **Channel strategy** with specific content
6. **Metrics dashboard** setup
7. **Post-launch plan** for momentum

## Related Skills

- `copywriting` - For launch copy
- `social-content` - For social media strategy
- `email-sequence` - For launch emails
- `marketing-ideas` - For creative angles