ph-launch-day-checklist skill

---
name: ph-launch-day-checklist
description: Complete hour-by-hour checklist for Product Hunt launch day execution. Use this skill to ensure nothing is missed during the critical 24-hour launch window.
---

# Product Hunt Launch Day Checklist

This skill provides a comprehensive, hour-by-hour checklist to execute your Product Hunt launch flawlessly.

## When to Use This Skill

- Final preparation night before launch
- During the 24-hour launch window
- Coordinating team activities on launch day
- Ensuring all critical actions are completed

## The Night Before (T-12 Hours)

### Final Checks
- [ ] Product Hunt listing is complete and scheduled
- [ ] All gallery images uploaded and ordered
- [ ] Video tested and working
- [ ] Maker comment pre-written and saved
- [ ] All links tested and working
- [ ] Website ready for traffic spike
- [ ] Analytics tracking verified
- [ ] Email sequences scheduled
- [ ] Social posts scheduled
- [ ] Supporter network reminded

### Personal Preparation
- [ ] Alarm set for launch time (if applicable to your timezone)
- [ ] Phone charged
- [ ] Computer ready
- [ ] Food/drinks prepared
- [ ] Team communication channel ready
- [ ] Get rest!

## Launch Hour (12:01 AM PST)

### Immediate Actions (First 10 Minutes)
- [ ] Verify product is live on Product Hunt
- [ ] Confirm listing appears correctly
- [ ] Post maker comment immediately
- [ ] Share PH link internally with team
- [ ] Screenshot for records
- [ ] First social media post goes out

### First Hour Focus
- [ ] Monitor for any issues
- [ ] Respond to first comments (< 5 minutes)
- [ ] Wave 1 of supporter outreach (close inner circle)
- [ ] Check ranking position
- [ ] Note early feedback

**Target:** 30-50 upvotes in first hour

## Early Hours (1 AM - 6 AM PST)

### Ongoing Tasks
- [ ] Continue responding to all comments
- [ ] Monitor for technical issues
- [ ] Wave 2 supporter activation (if planned)
- [ ] Track progress vs benchmarks
- [ ] Screenshot milestones

### Team Coordination
- [ ] Check in with team members
- [ ] Handoff if working in shifts
- [ ] Document any issues

**Target:** 100+ upvotes by 6 AM PST

## Morning (6 AM - 12 PM PST)

### Peak Activity
- [ ] Wave 3 supporter activation (US East Coast)
- [ ] Monitor social media mentions
- [ ] Respond to all new comments
- [ ] Share progress updates
- [ ] Wave 4 email sends
- [ ] LinkedIn/Twitter engagement

### Mid-Morning Check
- [ ] Current ranking position
- [ ] Upvote velocity
- [ ] Comment quality
- [ ] Any concerning patterns
- [ ] Competitor activity

**Target:** 200+ upvotes by noon PST

## Afternoon (12 PM - 6 PM PST)

### Sustained Push
- [ ] Wave 5 supporter activation
- [ ] Progress update post on social media
- [ ] Continue comment responses
- [ ] Retweet/share supporter posts
- [ ] Monitor and adjust strategy

### 4 PM PST Check
- [ ] Ranking trajectory analysis
- [ ] Final push needed?
- [ ] Activate remaining supporters
- [ ] Behind-the-scenes content

**Target:** 400+ upvotes for top 5

## Evening (6 PM - Midnight PST)

### Final Push
- [ ] Wave 6 outreach to non-responders
- [ ] Final social media push
- [ ] Last reminder to close supporters
- [ ] Continue comment engagement
- [ ] Thank early supporters

### 10 PM PST
- [ ] Assess final ranking position
- [ ] Begin preparing thank you messages
- [ ] Screenshot final stats
- [ ] Document learnings

## Post-Midnight (Day 2)

### Immediate After-Launch
- [ ] Final ranking recorded
- [ ] Thank you post on social media
- [ ] Thank you emails to supporters
- [ ] Team celebration/debrief
- [ ] Document all metrics

## Hour-by-Hour Reference

| Time (PST) | Priority Action | Support Wave |
|------------|-----------------|--------------|
| 12:01 AM | Go live, maker comment | Inner circle |
| 1:00 AM | First responses | Wave 1 |
| 3:00 AM | Monitor progress | Wave 2 |
| 5:00 AM | EU activation | Wave 3 |
| 8:00 AM | US East activation | Wave 4 |
| 10:00 AM | Progress check | — |
| 12:00 PM | Midday push | Wave 5 |
| 3:00 PM | Afternoon update | — |
| 6:00 PM | Evening push | Wave 6 |
| 9:00 PM | Final push | Stragglers |
| 11:00 PM | Wind down | — |

## Emergency Protocols

### If Website Goes Down
1. Don't panic
2. Check hosting/server status
3. Implement backup if available
4. Post update on PH comments
5. Keep engaging while fixing

### If Comments Turn Negative
1. Respond professionally
2. Acknowledge concerns
3. Provide solutions/clarifications
4. Don't get defensive
5. Thank for feedback

### If Ranking Drops Suddenly
1. Check for algorithm flags
2. Review recent activity patterns
3. Don't panic-activate supporters
4. Focus on quality engagement
5. Accept what you can't control

### If You Get Flagged/Unfeatured
1. Don't spam outreach
2. Contact PH support if legitimate
3. Review your practices
4. Learn for next time

## Communication Templates

### Team Updates
```
🕐 [Time] UPDATE

Ranking: #[X]
Upvotes: [X]
Comments: [X]
Trend: [Up/Down/Stable]

Next: [Action needed]
Issues: [Any problems]
```

### Social Progress Update
```
Launch day update! 🚀

[X] hours in and we're:
• #[X] on @ProductHunt
• [X] amazing comments
• [X] new signups

Thanks for the incredible support! 🙏

→ [Link]
```

## Key Metrics to Track

### Throughout the Day
- Ranking position (every hour)
- Total upvotes
- Upvote velocity (upvotes per hour)
- Comment count
- Website traffic
- Signups/conversions

### Log Template
| Time | Rank | Upvotes | Δ Upvotes | Comments |
|------|------|---------|-----------|----------|
| 1 AM | #5 | 45 | +45 | 8 |
| 2 AM | #4 | 78 | +33 | 15 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

## Team Roles (If Applicable)

### Role 1: Comment Captain
- Monitors all comments
- Responds within 5 minutes
- Flags issues to team
- Maintains friendly tone

### Role 2: Outreach Coordinator
- Executes supporter waves
- Tracks who's engaged
- Sends reminders
- Thanks supporters

### Role 3: Social Media Manager
- Posts updates
- Monitors mentions
- Engages with shares
- Creates content

### Role 4: Analytics Tracker
- Logs metrics hourly
- Spots trends
- Alerts on anomalies
- Prepares summary

## Final Checklist Summary

### Pre-Launch Night
- [ ] All assets ready
- [ ] Team briefed
- [ ] Supporters reminded
- [ ] Rest obtained

### Launch Hour
- [ ] Product live
- [ ] Maker comment posted
- [ ] First wave activated
- [ ] Monitoring begun

### Throughout Day
- [ ] All comments answered
- [ ] Waves executed on schedule
- [ ] Progress tracked
- [ ] Issues addressed

### End of Day
- [ ] Final rank recorded
- [ ] Thanks sent
- [ ] Metrics documented
- [ ] Learnings noted

## Output Format

```
LAUNCH DAY STATUS: [Product Name]

CURRENT TIME: [Time PST]
HOURS SINCE LAUNCH: [X]

METRICS:
• Ranking: #[X]
• Upvotes: [X]
• Comments: [X]
• Website visits: [X]
• Signups: [X]

COMPLETED:
✓ [Completed action]
✓ [Completed action]

NEXT UP:
→ [Next priority action]
→ [Following action]

ISSUES:
[Any current issues or none]

TEAM STATUS:
[Who's active, who's next]
```