This skill helps you plan and execute email campaigns that drive engagement for your Product Hunt launch while staying compliant with community guidelines.
When to Use This Skill
- Planning pre-launch email sequence
- Writing launch day email campaigns
- Timing email waves across timezones
- Crafting compliant outreach messages
- Creating follow-up email sequences
The Golden Rules
Rule 1: Never Ask for Upvotes
- ❌ "Please upvote our product"
- ❌ "Every vote counts"
- ❌ "Help us reach #1"
- ✓ "Check it out and share your feedback"
- ✓ "We'd love your support"
- ✓ "Let us know what you think"
Rule 2: Stagger Your Sends
- Don't send to everyone at once
- Algorithm flags sudden traffic spikes
- Spread across 5-6 waves over 24 hours
Rule 3: Segment Your Audience
- Different messages for different groups
- Personal > mass email
- Quality engagement > quantity
Email Timeline
Pre-Launch Sequence
T-14 days: Awareness Email
Subject: We're launching something new...
Hey [Name],
In 2 weeks, we're launching [Product] on Product Hunt.
[1-2 sentences about what it does]
Want to be notified when we go live?
[Optional: Early access or sneak peek link]
Best,
[Your Name]
T-7 days: Reminder + Preview
Subject: 7 days until launch 🚀
Hey [Name],
One week from today, [Product] goes live on Product Hunt.
Here's a sneak peek: [Screenshot or GIF]
[Key feature highlight]
Mark your calendar: [Date, Time PST]
Talk soon,
[Your Name]
T-1 day: Final Countdown
Subject: Tomorrow's the day
Hey [Name],
Tomorrow at 12:01 AM PST, we launch on Product Hunt.
Here's exactly what [Product] does:
• [Benefit 1]
• [Benefit 2]
• [Benefit 3]
I'd really appreciate your support — even just checking
it out and leaving honest feedback means the world.
I'll send the link as soon as we're live.
Thanks for being part of this journey,
[Your Name]
Launch Day Emails (The 5-6 Wave Strategy)
Wave 1: Midnight PST (for Night Owls / APAC)
Recipients: Australia, Asia, Night owl friends
Time: 12:01 AM - 1:00 AM PST
Wave 2: Early Morning PST (EU Afternoon)
Recipients: Europe (afternoon for them)
Time: 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM PST
Wave 3: Morning PST (US East Coast)
Recipients: US East Coast, Canada
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PST
Wave 4: Lunch PST (US Coverage)
Recipients: General US audience
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST
Wave 5: Afternoon PST (Reminder)
Recipients: Non-openers from earlier waves
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST
Wave 6: Evening PST (Final Push)
Recipients: Closest supporters, team networks
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST
Launch Day Email Templates
Template A: Close Network (Most Personal)
Subject: I just launched! 🚀
Hey [Name],
The moment is here — we just launched [Product] on Product Hunt!
[Direct link]
I've been building this for [X months], and today is the day
it goes out to the world. Pretty nervous, honestly.
If you have 2 minutes:
→ Check it out
→ Leave a comment with your honest thoughts
→ Share if you think it's useful
Your support means everything. No pressure at all — just
excited to finally share this.
[Your Name]
P.S. [Personal note relevant to this person]
Template B: Customers/Users
Subject: [Product] is live on Product Hunt
Hi [Name],
Big news — [Product] is officially live on Product Hunt!
[Direct link]
As someone who's been using [Product], your perspective
would mean a lot to the community.
If you have a moment:
• Share your experience in the comments
• Let others know what you've built/achieved with it
• Honest feedback only — don't sugarcoat it!
Thanks for being an early believer.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template C: Newsletter/Community
Subject: We launched on Product Hunt today
Hey [First Name],
Today's a big day — [Product] is live on Product Hunt.
[What it does in 1 sentence]
[Why it matters in 1 sentence]
🔗 Check it out here: [Link]
If you think it's useful, a comment or share would make
our day. If you have feedback, we're all ears.
Thanks for being part of [Company/Community].
[Your Name]
Template D: VIPs / Influencers
Subject: Quick favor? (launching today)
Hey [Name],
I know you're busy, so I'll keep this brief.
We're launching [Product] on Product Hunt today. Given your
expertise in [their field], I thought you might find it
interesting.
[1-2 sentences on what makes it relevant to them]
Here's the link: [Link]
If it resonates, any thoughts in the comments would be
incredible. Totally understand if you're swamped.
Appreciate you either way,
[Your Name]
Subject Line Formulas
High-Open-Rate Patterns
[Product] is live on Product HuntI just launched! 🚀Today's the dayQuick favor? (launching today)We made something for you
Avoid
- ❌ All caps
- ❌ Multiple emojis
- ❌ "URGENT" or "IMPORTANT"
- ❌ "Please upvote"
Segmentation Strategy
Tier 1: Inner Circle (50-100 people)
- Co-founders, close friends, family
- Early beta users
- Advisors, investors
- Approach: Very personal, handwritten feel
Tier 2: Active Community (100-500 people)
- Current customers
- Newsletter subscribers
- Social media engaged
- Approach: Warm but efficient
Tier 3: Extended Network (500+ people)
- General mailing list
- Past contacts
- Industry connections
- Approach: Professional, clear value
Post-Launch Follow-Up
T+1 day: Thank You
Subject: Thank you 🙏
Hey [Name],
Yesterday was incredible. Thanks to supporters like you,
we reached [#X Product of the Day / X upvotes / etc.].
[Share 1-2 highlights: interesting comments, surprises]
What's next:
• [Next feature/milestone]
• [How they can continue helping]
Grateful for your support,
[Your Name]
T+7 days: Results + Next Steps
Subject: What happened after Product Hunt
Hey [Name],
One week since our Product Hunt launch. Here's what happened:
📊 [X] new users signed up
💬 [X] pieces of feedback collected
🎯 Top feature request: [Feature]
[What you're doing about it]
Thanks again for being part of this.
[Your Name]
Email Checklist
Pre-Launch
- Email list segmented into tiers
- Pre-launch sequence scheduled
- Subject lines A/B tested
- Links tested and tracked
Launch Day
- 5-6 waves planned by timezone
- Templates personalized by segment
- Tracking in place
- "No upvote ask" compliance checked
Post-Launch
- Thank you email drafted
- Results email planned
- Non-openers sequence ready
Output Format
EMAIL STRATEGY FOR: [Product Name]
LAUNCH DATE: [Date]
TOTAL AUDIENCE: [Number]
SEGMENTATION:
Tier 1 (Inner Circle): [Number] contacts
Tier 2 (Active Community): [Number] contacts
Tier 3 (Extended Network): [Number] contacts
PRE-LAUNCH SEQUENCE:
• T-14: [Subject line]
• T-7: [Subject line]
• T-1: [Subject line]
LAUNCH DAY WAVES:
Wave 1: [Time PST] → [Segment] ([Number] people)
Wave 2: [Time PST] → [Segment] ([Number] people)
Wave 3: [Time PST] → [Segment] ([Number] people)
Wave 4: [Time PST] → [Segment] ([Number] people)
Wave 5: [Time PST] → [Segment] ([Number] people)
Wave 6: [Time PST] → [Segment] ([Number] people)
POST-LAUNCH:
• T+1: Thank you email
• T+7: Results update
COMPLIANCE CHECK:
✓ No explicit upvote requests
✓ Staggered sending schedule
✓ Personalized by segment