ph-supporter-network

name	ph-supporter-network
description	Build and activate a network of supporters for your Product Hunt launch. Use this skill to identify potential supporters, nurture relationships before launch, and coordinate support on launch day.

Product Hunt Supporter Network

This skill helps you build, organize, and activate a network of supporters who will genuinely engage with your Product Hunt launch.

When to Use This Skill

• Building your pre-launch supporter list
• Categorizing supporters by relationship strength
• Creating outreach templates for different groups
• Coordinating launch day support
• Maximizing authentic engagement

Why Supporter Networks Matter

The Reality

• Top launches have 50-200+ active supporters
• Algorithm weighs account quality heavily
• Genuine engagement > raw numbers
• Comments matter as much as upvotes

What Makes Good Support

• ✓ Actual Product Hunt users (not new accounts)
• ✓ Thoughtful comments (not just "Great!")
• ✓ Authentic interest in your product
• ✓ Staggered engagement (not all at once)

Building Your Supporter List

Categories of Supporters

Tier 1: Inner Circle (Target: 20-50)

Who:

• Co-founders, team members
• Close friends and family (who use PH)
• Early beta users
• Advisors and investors

Characteristics:

• Will definitely support
• High engagement quality
• Personal relationship

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Tier 2: Warm Network (Target: 50-100)

Who:

• Professional connections
• Industry peers
• Past colleagues
• Active community members

Characteristics:

• Likely to support if asked
• Understand your product
• Have PH accounts

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Tier 3: Extended Network (Target: 100-300)

Who:

• Newsletter subscribers
• Social media followers
• Past customers
• One-time interactions

Characteristics:

• May support if convenient
• Less personal connection
• Varying PH activity levels

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Tier 4: Reciprocal (Target: 20-50)

Who:

• Other makers you've supported
• Launch swap partners
• Community reciprocity

Characteristics:

• Mutual benefit relationship
• Understand launch dynamics
• Active PH users

Supporter Qualification

Ideal Supporter Profile

• ✓ Has Product Hunt account
• ✓ Account is 30+ days old
• ✓ Has some activity history
• ✓ Genuinely interested in your product category
• ✓ Can write thoughtful comment

Red Flags (Don't Pursue)

• ❌ No PH account and unwilling to create
• ❌ Would create account just for your launch
• ❌ No genuine interest in your product
• ❌ Only offering transactional exchange
• ❌ History of spam behavior

Pre-Launch Relationship Building

Timeline

8-12 Weeks Before:

• Start mapping your network
• Identify potential supporters
• Begin meaningful interactions

4-6 Weeks Before:

• Reach out to key supporters
• Share early access/previews
• Get feedback and buy-in

2-3 Weeks Before:

• Confirm supporter availability
• Share launch details
• Provide any needed resources

1 Week Before:

• Final confirmation
• Send calendar invites
• Share exact timing

1 Day Before:

• Last reminder
• Share comment ideas
• Express gratitude

Outreach Templates

For Tier 1: Inner Circle

Subject: Need your help on [Date] 🙏

Hey [Name],

After [X months] of building, I'm launching [Product]
on Product Hunt on [Date].

You've been with me through this journey, and your
support on launch day would mean the world.

Here's what would help most:
1. Check it out when we go live (midnight PST)
2. Leave an honest comment about your experience
3. Share if you think it's cool

I'll send a reminder the night before with the link.

No pressure at all, but wanted you to be part of
this moment.

[Your Name]

For Tier 2: Warm Network

Subject: Launching [Product] on Product Hunt - would love your support

Hi [Name],

Hope you're doing well! Quick note — I'm launching
[Product] on Product Hunt on [Date].

[One line about what it does]

Given your background in [their area], I thought
you might find it interesting.

If you have a few minutes on launch day:
• Take a look and share your thoughts
• Any feedback in comments would be valuable

Totally understand if you're busy. Either way,
appreciate you!

Best,
[Your Name]

For Tier 3: Extended Network

Subject: [Product] is launching on Product Hunt

Hey [Name],

Exciting news — [Product] is launching on Product Hunt
on [Date]!

As someone who [how they're connected to you], I wanted
to share this with you first.

[One-liner about the product]

If you'd like to check it out:
→ [Link when available]

Thanks for being part of the [Company] community!

[Your Name]

For Tier 4: Reciprocal/Makers

Subject: Supporting each other on Product Hunt?

Hey [Name],

I noticed you're active on Product Hunt and building
awesome stuff. [Genuine compliment about their work]

I'm launching [Product] on [Date] — would love to
connect and support each other's launches.

[Brief product description]

If you have something coming up, happy to return
the favor. Either way, let's connect!

[Your Name]

Launch Day Coordination

Supporter Briefing Document

Prepare a document to share with supporters:

📋 [PRODUCT] LAUNCH DAY GUIDE

LAUNCH DATE: [Date]
LAUNCH TIME: 12:01 AM PST

LINK: [Will be shared at launch]

HOW TO SUPPORT:

1️⃣ VISIT the Product Hunt page (link above)

2️⃣ UPVOTE if you genuinely think it's useful

3️⃣ COMMENT with your honest thoughts:
   - What you like about it
   - Your use case
   - A question for us
   - Constructive feedback

💡 COMMENT IDEAS:
- "[Feature] is exactly what I needed for [use case]"
- "Love how this solves [problem]. Have you considered [idea]?"
- "Been using the beta and [personal experience]"
- [Any specific prompts relevant to your product]

⚠️ IMPORTANT:
- Don't just write "Great product!" (low quality)
- Be genuine — fake enthusiasm is obvious
- Don't all comment at the same time
- Reply to other comments if you have thoughts

🕐 TIMING GUIDE:
If you're in:
- US West Coast: Check at midnight
- US East Coast: Morning is fine
- Europe: Afternoon works
- Asia/Pacific: Evening is great

THANK YOU! 🙏

Even just taking a look means the world to me.

Staggered Activation

Don't have everyone engage at once:

Wave	Time (PST)	Who	Action
1	12:01 AM	Inner Circle A	Upvote + Comment
2	2:00 AM	Inner Circle B	Upvote + Comment
3	5:00 AM	Warm Network (EU)	Upvote + Comment
4	8:00 AM	Warm Network (US East)	Upvote + Comment
5	11:00 AM	Extended Network	Upvote
6	2:00 PM	Reciprocal	Upvote + Comment
7	6:00 PM	Reminder to non-engagers	Upvote

Tracking & Organization

Supporter Spreadsheet Template

Name	Email	Tier	PH Username	Status	Notes
[Name]	[Email]	1	@username	Confirmed	[Notes]

Status Options

• Not contacted
• Reached out
• Confirmed
• Reminded
• Engaged
• Thanked

Post-Launch Follow-Up

Thank You Template

Subject: Thank you for supporting our launch! 🙏

Hey [Name],

We did it! [Product] launched on Product Hunt and
finished [#X / with X upvotes / etc.].

Your support made a real difference.

[Personalized note about their specific comment/help]

Here's what's next: [Brief roadmap]

Thanks for being in my corner.

[Your Name]

P.S. If there's ever anything I can do to return
the favor, just ask.

Supporter Network Checklist

Building Phase

• Mapped all potential supporters
• Categorized into tiers
• Verified PH account status
• Started relationship building

Pre-Launch Phase

• All tiers contacted
• Confirmations received
• Briefing document created
• Staggered schedule planned

Launch Day

• Final reminders sent
• Link shared at launch
• Monitoring engagement
• Coordinating waves

Post-Launch

• All supporters thanked
• Results shared
• Reciprocal support noted
• Relationship maintained

Output Format

SUPPORTER NETWORK FOR: [Product Name]

NETWORK SIZE:
Tier 1 (Inner Circle): [Number] confirmed
Tier 2 (Warm Network): [Number] confirmed
Tier 3 (Extended): [Number] reached
Tier 4 (Reciprocal): [Number] confirmed
TOTAL: [Number]

ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE:
Wave 1 ([Time PST]): [Number] supporters
Wave 2 ([Time PST]): [Number] supporters
Wave 3 ([Time PST]): [Number] supporters
Wave 4 ([Time PST]): [Number] supporters

PREPARED MATERIALS:
✓ Outreach templates (by tier)
✓ Supporter briefing document
✓ Comment suggestions
✓ Thank you templates

TRACKING:
[Link to spreadsheet or system]