ph-profile-optimizer skill

---
name: ph-profile-optimizer
description: Optimize your Product Hunt maker profile for credibility and engagement. Use this skill to build reputation before launch and maximize your profile's impact.
---

# Product Hunt Profile Optimizer

This skill helps you optimize your Product Hunt profile to build credibility, grow followers, and maximize the impact of your launch.

## When to Use This Skill

- Setting up your PH profile for the first time
- Optimizing profile before a launch
- Building pre-launch reputation
- Growing your follower base
- Establishing maker credibility

## Why Profile Matters

### Algorithm Impact
- Account age affects vote weight
- Activity history builds credibility
- Followers get launch notifications
- Reputation influences featuring

### Community Impact
- Trust signals to other users
- Attracts quality engagement
- Builds network for support
- Establishes you as a maker

## Profile Optimization Checklist

### Basic Profile Elements

#### Profile Photo
- [ ] Professional, clear headshot
- [ ] Consistent with other platforms
- [ ] Friendly and approachable
- [ ] High resolution

#### Display Name
- [ ] Real name (builds trust)
- [ ] Consistent across platforms
- [ ] Easy to remember

#### Username/Handle
- [ ] Clean, professional
- [ ] Matches other social handles if possible
- [ ] No numbers or special characters (ideally)

#### Headline
- [ ] What you do/build
- [ ] Your role or company
- [ ] Maximum 60 characters

**Examples:**
- "Founder @YourStartup | Building [category] tools"
- "Developer & Maker | Creating [what you create]"
- "Building the future of [industry]"

#### Bio
- [ ] What you're building
- [ ] Your background/credibility
- [ ] What you're passionate about
- [ ] Call-to-action (optional)

**Template:**
```
Building [Product] to help [audience] [achieve outcome].

Previously: [Credibility point]
Passionate about: [Interests relevant to community]

[Optional CTA or current focus]
```

#### Links
- [ ] Website linked
- [ ] Twitter/X connected
- [ ] Other relevant socials

### Profile Completeness

**Complete profiles signal:**
- Serious about the platform
- Real person, not spam
- Invested in community

**Checklist:**
- [ ] Photo uploaded
- [ ] Headline written
- [ ] Bio filled out
- [ ] Website added
- [ ] Social linked
- [ ] Products added (if applicable)

## Building Reputation Pre-Launch

### Timeline: 4-8 Weeks Before Launch

#### Week 1-2: Foundation
- Create/optimize profile
- Follow relevant makers
- Explore the platform
- Understand community norms

#### Week 3-4: Engagement
- Comment on 2-3 products daily
- Upvote genuinely interesting products
- Join relevant discussions
- Support other makers

#### Week 5-6: Visibility
- Start more discussions
- Share helpful insights
- Build relationships
- Grow follower count

#### Week 7-8: Pre-Launch
- Announce upcoming launch
- Gather followers for notifications
- Continue engagement
- Prepare launch assets

### Quality Engagement Guidelines

#### Good Comments
```
"This solves a real pain point I've had with [problem].
Question: how does [feature] handle [edge case]?
Would love to see [suggestion] in future updates!"
```

#### Avoid
```
"Great product!" (low value)
"Check out my product too!" (self-promotion)
"Nice" (adds nothing)
```

### Building Follower Base

**Organic Methods:**
- Consistent valuable engagement
- Thoughtful comments that get upvoted
- Helping other makers
- Sharing insights and learnings
- Being genuinely active

**Follower Sources:**
- Other makers you help
- People who appreciate your comments
- Your existing audience (invite to follow)
- Reciprocal follows (natural, not forced)

## Maker Badge & Credibility

### Getting Maker Status
- Ship a product on Product Hunt
- Active participation as maker
- Respond to comments on your products

### Benefits of Maker Status
- Visible badge on profile
- Increased trust
- Community recognition
- Access to maker features

### Multiple Products
If you've launched before:
- Products show on profile
- Builds portfolio effect
- Shows track record
- Increases credibility

## Profile for Team Launches

### If Launching as Team

**Each Team Member Should:**
- Have optimized profile
- Be marked as maker on product
- Engage during launch
- Respond to comments

**Coordinated Approach:**
- Assign comment response areas
- Show team depth
- Display diverse expertise
- Create trust through numbers

## Profile Analytics

### Track Your Growth

**Metrics to Monitor:**
- Follower count
- Comments received
- Products followed
- Engagement on comments

**Growth Signals:**
- Followers increasing weekly
- Comments getting upvotes
- Others following your discussions
- Mentions in community

## Common Profile Mistakes

### Avoid These

❌ **Empty Profile**
- No photo, bio, or links
- Looks like spam/fake

❌ **Promotional Bio**
- All about your product
- No personal touch

❌ **Inactive Account**
- Created but never used
- No engagement history

❌ **Inconsistent Presence**
- Different info across platforms
- Confusing identity

❌ **Over-Promotion**
- Every comment pitches product
- Spammy behavior

## Pre-Launch Profile Checklist

### 4 Weeks Before

**Profile Basics:**
- [ ] Photo: Professional headshot
- [ ] Name: Real full name
- [ ] Headline: Clear what you do
- [ ] Bio: Complete and authentic
- [ ] Website: Linked correctly
- [ ] Social: Twitter connected

**Activity Goals:**
- [ ] 20+ quality comments made
- [ ] 50+ products upvoted
- [ ] 10+ discussions participated in
- [ ] 5+ meaningful relationships built

**Follower Building:**
- [ ] Invited existing audience to follow
- [ ] Engaged with potential supporters
- [ ] Built organic follower base

### 1 Week Before

- [ ] Profile reviewed and polished
- [ ] Recent activity visible
- [ ] Follower count noted
- [ ] Bio updated to hint at launch (optional)

### Launch Day

- [ ] Profile represents you well
- [ ] Easy for new visitors to understand who you are
- [ ] Links work correctly
- [ ] Ready to engage as maker

## Profile Optimization Tips

### Photo Tips
- Face clearly visible
- Good lighting
- Genuine smile
- Consistent with other platforms

### Headline Tips
- Mention what you build
- Include your role
- Keep it scannable
- Update for launch

### Bio Tips
- First line = hook
- Include credibility
- Show personality
- Keep it scannable

### Link Tips
- Primary link to main site
- Social links connected
- All links working
- Update before launch

## Output Format

```
PROFILE OPTIMIZATION FOR: [Your Name]

CURRENT STATE AUDIT:

Basic Elements:
- Photo: [Complete/Missing/Needs improvement]
- Headline: [Current headline]
- Bio: [Status]
- Links: [Status]

Activity Level:
- Account age: [X days/months]
- Comments made: [Approximate]
- Products upvoted: [Approximate]
- Current followers: [Number]

OPTIMIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS:

Priority 1 (Critical):
- [Specific improvement]

Priority 2 (Important):
- [Specific improvement]

Priority 3 (Nice to Have):
- [Specific improvement]

PRE-LAUNCH ACTIVITY PLAN:
Week 1: [Focus area]
Week 2: [Focus area]
Week 3: [Focus area]
Week 4: [Focus area]

REVISED PROFILE CONTENT:
Headline: "[Optimized headline]"
Bio: "[Optimized bio]"
```