ph-relaunch-strategy skill

---
name: ph-relaunch-strategy
description: Plan and execute a Product Hunt relaunch. Use this skill to determine relaunch eligibility, prepare meaningful updates, and maximize your second (or third) launch.
---

# Product Hunt Relaunch Strategy

This skill helps you plan and execute successful relaunches on Product Hunt, building on your previous launch experience.

## When to Use This Skill

- Evaluating if you should relaunch
- Understanding relaunch rules
- Preparing for a version 2.0 launch
- Maximizing relaunch impact
- Timing your next launch

## Relaunch Rules

### Official Guidelines

**Standard Rule:**
- Can relaunch after 6 months
- Must have significant updates

**Exceptions:**
- Major product pivot (can be sooner)
- New product with different name/URL (anytime)
- V2 with substantial changes (request approval)

### What Counts as "Significant"

**Qualifies for Relaunch:**
- Major version release (v2.0)
- Complete redesign
- New core features
- Platform expansion
- Pivot/rebrand

**Does NOT Qualify:**
- Minor bug fixes
- Small feature additions
- UI tweaks
- Pricing changes
- New integrations alone

## Should You Relaunch?

### Relaunch Decision Matrix

| Question | Yes = Relaunch | No = Wait |
|----------|----------------|-----------|
| 6+ months since last launch? | ✓ | Need approval |
| Major new features/version? | ✓ | Need more changes |
| Compelling new story to tell? | ✓ | Need better angle |
| Bigger audience now? | ✓ | Build audience first |
| First launch was learning? | ✓ | Optimize first |

### When to Relaunch

**Good Reasons:**
- V2 with major improvements
- Expansion to new platform
- Major feature launch
- Significant pivot
- Acquired large user base

**Bad Reasons:**
- First launch underperformed
- Want more upvotes
- Nothing new, just want attention
- Gaming the system

## Relaunch Strategy

### Timing Your Relaunch

**Wait Until You Have:**
- 2-3 major new features minimum
- Clear differentiation from v1
- Compelling new story
- Larger support network than before
- Lessons applied from first launch

**Bundle Updates:**
Instead of launching each feature separately, combine:
- Feature A + Feature B + Feature C = "Major Update Launch"

### Positioning the Relaunch

**Approach 1: "Version 2.0"**
```
[Product] 2.0: Now with [major improvement]

We listened to your feedback. Here's everything new:
• [Feature 1]
• [Feature 2]
• [Feature 3]
```

**Approach 2: "Complete Redesign"**
```
[Product] — Completely Rebuilt

Same mission, totally new experience:
• [Improvement 1]
• [Improvement 2]
• [Improvement 3]
```

**Approach 3: "Platform Expansion"**
```
[Product] for [New Platform]

By popular demand: [Product] is now on [Platform]
• [Platform-specific feature]
• [Platform-specific feature]
```

### What's Different This Time

**Learn from First Launch:**

| First Launch Issue | Second Launch Fix |
|--------------------|-------------------|
| Weak tagline | Test tagline beforehand |
| Low engagement | Build bigger supporter network |
| Poor timing | Choose optimal day |
| Rushed assets | Professional design |
| No video | Compelling demo video |

## Preparing for Relaunch

### 3-Month Preparation

**Month 1: Foundation**
- Analyze first launch performance
- Identify what to improve
- Start building new features
- Grow email list/community

**Month 2: Building**
- Complete major updates
- Prepare new assets
- Build support network
- Test with beta users

**Month 3: Launch Prep**
- Finalize all assets
- Coordinate supporters
- Schedule launch day
- Pre-launch marketing

### Asset Updates Needed

**Always Update:**
- Tagline (reflect new value)
- Description (highlight what's new)
- Gallery images (show new features)
- Video (demo new capabilities)
- Maker comment (new story)

**Consider Updating:**
- Thumbnail (refresh or keep for recognition)
- Website (new landing page for v2)
- Email templates (reflect changes)

## Relaunch Messaging

### Tagline Formula for Relaunch

**Version 2 Format:**
```
[Product] 2.0: [Key improvement]
```

**Evolution Format:**
```
[Product], now with [game-changing feature]
```

**Expansion Format:**
```
[Product] for [New platform/audience]
```

### Maker Comment for Relaunch

**Structure:**
```
Hey Product Hunt! 👋

Some of you might remember us from [timeframe] ago.
We're back with [Product] 2.0, and a lot has changed.

WHAT WE HEARD
After our first launch, the community told us:
• [Feedback 1]
• [Feedback 2]
• [Feedback 3]

WHAT WE BUILT
We went back to work and:
• [New feature 1]
• [New feature 2]
• [New feature 3]

THE RESULTS
Since v1, [X users] have [used/joined], and they've
helped us build something much better.

WHAT'S NEXT
We're just getting started. [Future vision]

Would love your feedback on the new version!
[CTA]

Thanks for the support 🙏
[Name]
```

## Request for Early Relaunch

### When to Request

If less than 6 months but have:
- Major version update
- Significant pivot
- Complete redesign

### How to Request

1. Go to Product Hunt support
2. Explain the significant changes
3. Provide evidence of major updates
4. Wait for approval

### Request Template

```
Subject: Relaunch Request for [Product Name]

Hi Product Hunt Team,

We launched [Product] on [date]. We'd like to request
permission to relaunch before 6 months because we've
made significant changes.

WHAT'S NEW:
1. [Major change 1] — [Brief explanation]
2. [Major change 2] — [Brief explanation]
3. [Major change 3] — [Brief explanation]

EVIDENCE:
• [Link to changelog or blog post]
• [Screenshots of changes]
• [User feedback on improvements]

We believe this qualifies as a significant update under
your relaunch guidelines.

Thank you for considering our request.

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

## Relaunch vs New Product

### When It's a Relaunch
- Same product, improved
- Same URL
- Same core purpose
- Evolution of original

### When It's a New Product
- Different name
- Different URL
- Different purpose
- Spin-off or new direction

**New Product Advantage:**
- Can launch anytime
- No 6-month wait
- Fresh start
- Different audience possible

## Relaunch Success Metrics

### Compare to First Launch

| Metric | Launch 1 | Launch 2 | Goal |
|--------|----------|----------|------|
| Ranking | | | Higher |
| Upvotes | | | +50% |
| Comments | | | More quality |
| Signups | | | +100% |
| Conversion | | | Higher |

### Key Questions

After relaunch, assess:
- Did new features resonate?
- Was timing better?
- Did larger network help?
- What would you do differently for v3?

## Relaunch Checklist

### Pre-Relaunch (1 Month)
- [ ] 6 months elapsed OR approval received
- [ ] Major updates completed
- [ ] New story/angle prepared
- [ ] Assets updated
- [ ] Support network expanded

### Launch Prep (1 Week)
- [ ] All new assets finalized
- [ ] Supporters briefed
- [ ] Emails scheduled
- [ ] Social posts ready
- [ ] Launch date confirmed

### Relaunch Day
- [ ] Apply all lessons from first launch
- [ ] Execute improved strategy
- [ ] Compare metrics in real-time
- [ ] Document learnings

### Post-Relaunch
- [ ] Analyze vs first launch
- [ ] Document improvements
- [ ] Plan for potential v3
- [ ] Maintain momentum

## Output Format

```
RELAUNCH STRATEGY: [Product Name]

FIRST LAUNCH:
Date: [Date]
Results: #[X], [X] upvotes, [X] signups
Lessons: [Key learnings]

RELAUNCH ELIGIBILITY:
Time since launch: [X months]
Status: [Eligible / Need approval / Too soon]

SIGNIFICANT UPDATES:
1. [Update 1]: [Description]
2. [Update 2]: [Description]
3. [Update 3]: [Description]

RELAUNCH POSITIONING:
Angle: [v2.0 / Redesign / Expansion / etc.]
Tagline: "[New tagline]"
Key message: [Core message]

IMPROVEMENTS FROM V1:
| Area | V1 | V2 |
|------|-----|-----|
| [Area] | [Old] | [New] |

TARGET METRICS:
| Metric | V1 | V2 Target |
|--------|-----|-----------|
| Ranking | #[X] | #[X] |
| Upvotes | [X] | [X] |
| Signups | [X] | [X] |

TIMELINE:
[Date]: [Milestone]
[Date]: [Milestone]
[Date]: RELAUNCH DAY
```