ph-newsletter-pitch skill

---
name: ph-newsletter-pitch
description: Get featured in Product Hunt newsletters. Use this skill to understand newsletter criteria, craft effective pitches, and maximize visibility through PH editorial coverage.
---

# Product Hunt Newsletter Pitch

This skill helps you get featured in Product Hunt's newsletters, extending your launch visibility beyond launch day.

## When to Use This Skill

- Before launch: Planning for newsletter inclusion
- During launch: Pitching to editorial
- After launch: Follow-up pitches
- Anytime: Understanding newsletter strategy

## Product Hunt Newsletters

### Newsletter Types

**The Leaderboard (Daily)**
- Sent Monday-Friday
- Top 10 launches of the day
- Quick snapshot format
- Highest reach

**The Roundup (Sunday)**
- Week's top products
- Community discussions
- Long-form content
- Curated selection

**The Frontier (Tuesday)**
- AI-focused insights
- Top AI launches
- Founder features
- Specialized audience

**Developer Tools Edition**
- Developer-focused products
- Technical audience
- Specific criteria

### Newsletter Reach

- Sent to millions of subscribers
- High open rates (tech audience)
- Drives significant traffic
- Extends launch visibility

## Getting Featured

### Automatic Inclusion

**Daily Newsletter (The Leaderboard):**
- Top 10 products automatically included
- Based on ranking at end of day
- No pitch needed

### Editorial Selection

**Weekly & Specialty Newsletters:**
- Editorially curated
- Based on interest/uniqueness
- Can be pitched
- Quality over ranking

## What Editors Look For

### Key Criteria (from PH Editorial)

**1. Uniqueness**
- Doesn't need to be revolutionary
- Must do something different
- Not "another [category] tool"
- Clear differentiation

**2. Visual Quality**
- Strong gallery images
- Clear screenshots
- Compelling thumbnail
- Professional presentation

**3. Clear Value Proposition**
- Easy to understand
- Obvious benefit
- Specific use case
- Not vague/generic

**4. Interesting Story**
- Why it was built
- Who it's for
- What problem it solves
- Maker passion

### Red Flags (Won't Get Featured)

- Generic products
- Poor visual quality
- Unclear purpose
- Low-quality listing
- Obvious cash grabs
- Clones without innovation

## Crafting Your Pitch

### When to Pitch

**Proactive Pitch:**
- Day of launch (morning)
- Before newsletter deadline (7 AM PT)

**Reactive Pitch:**
- After launch, for future editions
- For specialty newsletters

### Pitch Email Template

```
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Product Name] — [Unique angle] | Live on PH today

Hi PH Editorial Team,

[Product Name] just went live on Product Hunt:
[Link]

WHAT IT IS:
[One sentence description]

WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE:
[Key differentiator — what's new/different]

WHO IT'S FOR:
[Specific target audience]

WHY NOW:
[Timeliness or relevance]

GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Image 1: [What it shows]
• Video: [Brief description]

Happy to provide any additional info!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Product URL]
```

### Pitch Best Practices

**Do:**
- Keep it brief (skimmable)
- Lead with uniqueness
- Include direct PH link
- Highlight visual assets
- Be professional

**Don't:**
- Write a novel
- Beg for inclusion
- Exaggerate claims
- Send multiple follow-ups
- Be pushy

## Optimizing for Newsletter

### Before Launch

**Gallery Preparation:**
- First image must be compelling
- Clear product shots
- Readable at small sizes
- Video if possible

**Listing Quality:**
- Strong tagline
- Clear description
- Complete profile
- No typos

### Day of Launch

**Timing:**
- Launch at 12:01 AM PT
- Newsletter compiles ~7 AM PT
- Early morning performance matters

**Engagement:**
- Active comments
- Quality discussions
- Maker presence

## Newsletter Categories

### Which Newsletter to Target

**General Tech Products:**
- The Leaderboard (daily)
- The Roundup (weekly)

**AI Products:**
- The Frontier (Tuesdays)
- AI-specific coverage

**Developer Tools:**
- Developer Tools edition
- Technical audience focus

**Design Tools:**
- May have design-focused coverage
- Visual products highlighted

## Timing Considerations

### Deadline Awareness

| Newsletter | Compiles | Sends |
|------------|----------|-------|
| Leaderboard | ~7 AM PT | Morning |
| Roundup | Saturday | Sunday |
| Frontier | Monday | Tuesday |

### Optimal Pitch Timing

- **Same day:** Before 7 AM PT
- **Weekly:** Thursday-Saturday for Sunday
- **Specialty:** Varies by edition

## Beyond Initial Feature

### Getting Featured Again

**Future opportunities:**
- Product updates
- Major milestones
- New features
- Community stories

**Stay connected:**
- Follow PH editorial on social
- Engage with newsletter content
- Build relationship over time

### Roundup Consideration

If not featured on launch day:
- Can still make weekly roundup
- Based on overall week performance
- Editorial discretion

## Newsletter Pitch Checklist

### Before Launch
- [ ] Gallery images optimized
- [ ] Unique angle identified
- [ ] Pitch drafted
- [ ] Contact ready

### Launch Day
- [ ] Launched at 12:01 AM PT
- [ ] Pitch sent early morning
- [ ] Monitoring ranking
- [ ] Active engagement

### Post-Launch
- [ ] Track if featured
- [ ] Note what was highlighted
- [ ] Save for future reference
- [ ] Plan for specialty editions

## Measuring Newsletter Impact

### Traffic Indicators

**Signs of Newsletter Traffic:**
- Spike morning after launch
- Traffic source: email
- PH referrer in analytics

### Tracking

- Set up UTM tracking where possible
- Monitor traffic patterns
- Compare featured vs non-featured

## Output Format

```
NEWSLETTER PITCH PLAN: [Product Name]

TARGET NEWSLETTERS:
Primary: [Newsletter name]
Secondary: [Newsletter name]

UNIQUE ANGLE:
[What makes this pitch-worthy]

PITCH:
---
[Complete pitch email]
---

TIMING:
Launch: [Time PT]
Pitch send: [Time PT]
Newsletter deadline: [Time PT]

GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Image 1: [Description]
- Video: [Description]

CHECKLIST:
- [ ] Pitch drafted
- [ ] Contact confirmed
- [ ] Unique angle clear
- [ ] Gallery optimized

SPECIALTY EDITIONS:
[Which specialized newsletters might be relevant]
```