After receiving over 2,000 upvotes, 500 comments, and around 250 reviews, we can confidently say this experience was both intense and immensely rewarding.
It’s been some time since we launched Sessions on Product Hunt, but the benefits were apparent almost immediately. We achieved #1 Product of the Day and Week and saw a surge in engagement and new users. Reflecting on it now, it’s clear that the advantages of launching on Product Hunt extended well beyond that initial boost.
Sessions: More Than Just Another Videoconferencing Platform
Sessions was designed to streamline customer-facing meetings for teams. Beyond basic videoconferencing, the platform offered a suite of tools and resources that enabled teams to create everything from sales pitches and product demos to onboarding sessions and large-scale webinars.
Winning Against Zoom
On launch day, we started early to secure a prominent spot on the Featured feed, ensuring we’d be well-positioned by the time the majority of Product Hunt’s audience was active. With high hopes and a readiness to work hard, we prepared for the big moment—then, it happened.
Just as we were gaining traction, Zoom launched its Zoom Apps on Product Hunt. It’s an understatement to say we faced formidable competition, given Zoom’s status as the benchmark for video-conferencing platforms at that time. Despite this, we managed to clinch the #1 Product of the Day. How did we achieve this? Let’s delve into the details.
Behind the Scenes
Remember, launching on Product Hunt is far more than just a one-day event. Effective preparation should begin well in advance—ideally, months or at least several weeks before your launch. While there are no guarantees of success, your chances improve significantly when you understand the platform’s nuances and have a well-defined strategy.
Based on my experience, here are four key considerations for a successful Product Hunt launch:
1. Start with Research
To maximize your success on Product Hunt, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand how the platform operates and how to leverage it effectively. Start by researching products similar to yours that have launched previously. Connect with other successful hunters and makers to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights.
Additionally, consult Product Hunt’s official guide for essential pre-launch strategies. Explore their “Launch Archive” and “Coming Soon” pages to get a sense of what works and what doesn’t. These resources provide practical, actionable advice that can help you refine your approach and set yourself up for a successful launch.
2. Craft a Plan
When it comes to your product launch, "going with the flow" isn’t an option. To achieve a standout success, you need a clear vision and a strategic plan. Start by determining when your product will be ready and select an optimal launch date. Be mindful of holidays or events that might impact engagement.
Timing Matters: Choose your launch day based on your goals:
- For a Quick #1 Product of the Day Win: Aim for a Sunday or weekend. Competition is lower on these days, but keep in mind that you may also attract fewer users.
- For Maximum Traffic and Engagement: Opt for a Wednesday, which is the busiest and most active day on the platform. However, be prepared for intense competition from major companies like Tesla, Apple, Notion, Netflix, and Spotify, which have all made significant impacts on Product Hunt.
3. Shout It From the Rooftops
Raising awareness about your product and orchestrating a successful launch involves various strategies. Here are two approaches that proved effective for Sessions:
- Leverage Social Media: Build anticipation by preparing your users and followers in advance. Make it effortless for them to support you on Product Hunt by sharing the launch link across all your social media channels. Ensure your audience knows exactly when and where to find you.
- Engage Tech Enthusiasts: Identify and invite tech enthusiasts who are eager to explore new products and provide feedback. Many dedicated Product Hunt communities are enthusiastic about trying out new offerings and sharing their thoughts. Connect with these potential reviewers on platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Discord, or Slack to increase your chances of gaining valuable insights and support on launch day.
4. Call on Your People
There’s one element that proved even more pivotal than weeks of meticulous preparation, research, and strategy—something that surpassed even Zoom’s global fame. For us, it was unequivocally the driving force behind our successful launch and ongoing evolution: our people.
On launch day, our community was our greatest asset. Their upvotes, reviews, and enthusiastic sharing across the Internet were instrumental in propelling Sessions to victory. Witnessing the collective power of our supporters was an exhilarating experience.
We were also fortunate to have the backing of remarkable individuals from the Product Hunt community. Notably, Ben Lang, our hunter and former Head of Community at Notion, played a crucial role. Additionally, influential figures such as Ryan Hoover, the founder of Product Hunt, and Chris Messina, the inventor of the hashtag, lent their support by upvoting our product.
After-Launch Evolution: Product of the Year & $4.5M Seed Round
The feedback we received and the invaluable individuals who joined our community significantly enhanced Sessions over the next year. In less than 12 months, the platform achieved:
- A major upgrade in functionality
- A series of new integrations
- Development of 20+ new features
- Expansion to users in 144 countries
- Establishment of over 6,000 company accounts
- Adoption of a new B2B strategy
- A refined use case for solopreneurs
Our community's support was instrumental in this growth and was recognized at the Golden Kitty Awards 2021, Product Hunt’s annual celebration of outstanding products and makers. Thanks to their backing, Sessions was honored with the “Product of the Year” award in the “Work from Anywhere” category.
However, the most exciting event was that Sessions raised a $4.5 million seed round. Winning on Product Hunt played a pivotal role in capturing the attention of venture capitalists and significantly influenced their investment decisions.
Product Hunt’s Merits
This event was more than just a day of exceptional engagement for Sessions; it marked the beginning of a transformative sequence of events:
- We rapidly connected with influential individuals from diverse backgrounds, a feat that would have otherwise taken months.
- We secured the title of Product of the Year.
- We successfully raised a $4.5 million seed round just a few months later.
- We gained invaluable insights into launching a product, building a community, and sparking growth.
Product Hunt set us on a trajectory toward the key players in the tech startup ecosystem, those who are crucial for reaching new milestones.
