A launch is not one day. It is a short campaign: a few weeks of preparation, several launch moments, and a follow-up that turns attention into users. This plan works whether you have zero followers or a large audience.
Tinkerfeed Launchpad is our product. We've listed what each platform is best at so you can choose.
1. Get the basics ready (2–3 weeks before)
- A one-sentence pitch. Say what it does and for whom, in plain words. "Automates Instagram DM replies for small brands" beats "AI-powered engagement platform".
- A homepage that answers three questions: what is it, who is it for, how do I start. Put the call to action above the fold.
- A working first experience. Let people try it immediately where possible. Sign-up walls and "request a demo" lose launch-day visitors.
- Visuals. A clear logo, 3–5 screenshots and, ideally, a 30–60 second demo video.
- Tracking. Add a UTM tag to every launch link so you know which platform brought which users.
- A way to capture interest: an email signup or waitlist for people not ready to buy yet.
2. Pick your launch platforms
Choose based on audience, not hype. A typical 2026 mix:
- Tinkerfeed Launchpad for a guaranteed launch date and a permanent product page. The free plan asks you to upvote 3 products and leave one helpful comment first.
- Peerlist if your users are developers or designers (weekly launches every Monday).
- Hacker News Show HN for technical products people can try instantly.
- Product Hunt once you have users who will show up on the day.
- Indie Hackers or a relevant subreddit to share the story behind the product.
See our full comparison: Best places to launch a startup.
3. Write your launch listing
- Title: the product name. Save the pitch for the tagline.
- Tagline: your one-sentence pitch, under 60 characters if you can.
- Description: the problem, how you solve it, who it is for, and what is free.
- First comment: a short, personal note on why you built it and what feedback you want.
4. Launch week
- Clear your calendar. Be there to reply to comments for the first several hours.
- Tell your people. Email your list and post once on your channels with the link and an honest ask for feedback.
- Reply to everything, especially criticism. A thoughtful reply to a sceptic persuades the quiet readers.
- Fix small things live. If several people hit the same bug, fix it and say so.
5. After launch
- Email every new signup personally, or at least from a real person.
- List the objections you heard and fix the biggest one.
- Write it up. A post on what worked and what did not is useful content and often brings a second wave.
- Launch again elsewhere a week or two later with a sharper message.
Common mistakes
- Launching before the product works for a stranger.
- Buying upvotes or joining vote-swap groups. It breaks platform rules and the traffic does not convert.
- Launching everywhere on the same day and being unable to keep up.
- Treating the launch as the end. The real work is the follow-up.
Questions
When is my startup ready to launch?
When a stranger can sign up or try the product without your help, understand what it does in one sentence, and reach you if something breaks. It does not need to be finished.
Should I launch on one platform or many?
Several, spaced a week or two apart. Each launch reaches a different audience and gives you another chance to improve your message.
How do I get upvotes without breaking rules?
Tell your users and followers where and when you are launching and ask for honest feedback. Never buy votes, use vote-swapping groups or ask directly for upvotes; most platforms ban it and communities notice.
What should I do after launch day?
Reply to every comment, email everyone who signed up, write down the objections people raised, and fix the biggest one before your next launch.