SECTION 2: QUICK WINS
4. Friends & Family Launch
DM Script:
Hey! I finally launched [Product].
It's [one sentence what it does].
Would you try it and give me brutally honest feedback?
[Link]
Who to ask: Former colleagues, online friends, Twitter mutuals, anyone who has the problem.
Goal: 5-10 users in 24 hours
Reality variance: Might only get 2-3 if your network is small or they’re uncomfortable supporting early-stage products. That’s okay - keep going.
5. ProductHunt Launch
Launch Checklist:
- Engage on PH for 2 weeks before (comment, upvote daily)
- Post at 12:01am PST on Tuesday/Wednesday
- Reply to EVERY comment in first 3 hours
- Share to Twitter/Threads throughout day
First Comment Template:
Hey PH! 👋
Built [Product] because [personal problem in 1 sentence].
What it does: [3 bullets]
Why different: [1 unique thing]
Special for PH: [Discount code]
Feedback welcome!
Realistic results: Top 10 = 20-80 signups
Reality variance: In 2025, ProductHunt is saturated. Top 10 might get 10-30 actual activated users. Top 20 might only get 5-15. Some launches flop completely despite good products. Don’t put all eggs in this basket.
6. Directory Blitz (2-hour task)
Submit to these 10 first:
- ProductHunt
- BetaList
- Indie Hackers
- Hacker News (Show HN)
- AlternativeTo
- SaaS Hub
- Launching Next
- Betapage
- StartupStash
- Uneed
Expected: 10-50 users over 30 days
Reality variance: Most directories send 0-5 users each. A few might send 10-20. Total realistic = 20-30 users over 60 days, not 30. It’s a slow-burn tactic, not quick wins.
7. Reddit Soft Launch
Find 3-5 relevant subreddits: r/SaaS, r/startups, r/[yourniche]
Contribute first: Comment helpfully for 1 week, build karma
Launch Post Template:
Title: "Built [tool] to solve [problem] - feedback wanted"
[2-sentence personal story why you built this]
**The Problem:** [What you saw]
**What I Built:** [Product] - [what it does]
**Features:** [3 bullets]
Giving free lifetime access to first [X] who try it and give feedback: [link]
Not pitching - genuinely want to know if this is useful.
Expected: 10-30 signups per good post
Reality variance: Many subreddits will remove self-promotion. New accounts get shadowbanned. Hostile comments are common. Realistic = 0-15 signups per post, and some posts get deleted immediately. Test 3-5 subreddits to find which ones work.
8. Community Hunter Strategy
Step 1: Find 5 communities where your ICP hangs out
Step 2: Contribute value for 1 week (no product mentions)
Step 3: Soft launch with “built this, need feedback” approach
Communities for SaaS founders:
- Indie Hackers
- Hacker News
- r/SideProject
- MicroConf Slack
- WIP.co
- Makerlog