# Minimum Viable Product Hunt Submission

**Created:** 2026-04-26  
**Status:** 🚨 URGENT - 3 days overdue  
**Recommendation:** Submit TODAY with minimum assets

---

## The Situation

**PH Submission Deadline:** April 23, 2026  
**Today:** April 26, 2026  
**Status:** 3 DAYS OVERDUE

Every day we delay:
- ❌ Less time for supporter recruitment
- ❌ Less buzz before launch day
- ❌ Lower launch day ranking
- ❌ Less press coverage

**Risk of further delay:** Launch fails to gain traction

---

## Minimum Viable Submission

Product Hunt requires:

### ✅ Required (Must Have)
1. **Thumbnail** - 240x240px PNG ✅ **DONE** (3 variants ready)
2. **Tagline** - One sentence ✅ **READY** ("Write screenplays faster...")
3. **Website** - Must be live ✅ **READY** (scripter.app)
4. **Maker comment** - Introduction ✅ **DRAFTED** (see submission-content.md)
5. **First comment** - Feature list ✅ **DRAFTED** (see submission-content.md)

### ⚠️ Recommended (Can Add Later)
6. **Screenshots** - 2-5 images ⚠️ **MINIMUM: 2 from dev environment**
7. **GIFs** - Product demos ⚠️ **OPTIONAL** (can add post-submission)
8. **Video** - Maker video ⚠️ **OPTIONAL** (can add post-submission)

**PH allows updating assets after submission but before launch day!**

---

## Submit TODAY With These Assets

### What We Have ✅

1. **Thumbnail** ✅
   - Location: `/marketing/product-hunt-assets/thumbnail/`
   - 3 variants: primary, variant-a, variant-b
   - Use: `thumbnail-primary-240x240.png`

2. **Tagline** ✅
   - "Write screenplays faster, collaborate better, ship anywhere"

3. **Website** ✅
   - scripter.app (must be live - verify before submitting)

4. **Maker Comment** ✅
   - Drafted in `/marketing/product-hunt-submission-content.md`
   - Customize with founder name before submitting

5. **First Comment** ✅
   - Drafted in `/marketing/product-hunt-submission-content.md`
   - Ready to post immediately after submission

### What We Can Add This Week

6. **Screenshots** (2 minimum, 5 ideal)
   - Can capture from dev environment
   - Don't need perfect, just need to show the product
   - See screenshot plan below

7. **GIFs** (optional)
   - Can add anytime before launch day
   - Not required for submission

8. **Video** (optional)
   - Can add anytime before launch day
   - Many successful launches without video

---

## Quick Screenshot Plan (Dev Environment)

**Goal:** Capture 2-5 screenshots in 30 minutes from dev build

### Setup (5 minutes)

```bash
# Start dev server
cd scripter
pnpm dev

# Open browser to clean state
# Use Chrome incognito (no extensions)
# Set resolution to 1920x1080
```

### Shots to Capture (20 minutes)

**Shot 1: Editor Interface (REQUIRED)**
```
URL: /editor or app home
What to show:
- Clean editor with sample script
- Show formatting (slugline, action, dialogue)
- Sidebar with scene list
Action: Take screenshot (Shift+Cmd+5 on Mac)
```

**Shot 2: Pricing Page (REQUIRED)**
```
URL: /pricing
What to show:
- Free vs Pro comparison
- Clear pricing ($0 and $9.99/mo)
- CTA buttons
Action: Take screenshot
```

**Shot 3: Collaboration (IF WORKING)**
```
Setup: Open same script in 2 browser windows
What to show:
- Two cursors visible
- Different colors
Action: Take screenshot
```

**Shot 4: Analytics (IF WORKING)**
```
URL: /analytics or dashboard
What to show:
- Character count
- Scene count
- Any metrics
Action: Take screenshot
```

**Shot 5: Export Dialog (IF WORKING)**
```
Action: Click Export button
What to show:
- Export modal
- Format options (PDF, FDX, Fountain)
Action: Take screenshot
```

### Post-Processing (5 minutes)

```bash
# Move screenshots to PH assets folder
mkdir -p /marketing/product-hunt-assets/screenshots
mv ~/Downloads/*.png /marketing/product-hunt-assets/screenshots/

# Rename for clarity
cd /marketing/product-hunt-assets/screenshots/
mv "Screenshot 2026-04-26..." "01-editor-interface-1920x1080.png"
mv "Screenshot 2026-04-26..." "02-pricing-page-1920x1080.png"
# etc.
```

**Total time:** 30 minutes  
**Output:** 2-5 screenshots ready for PH upload

---

## Submission Steps (Do This NOW)

### Step 1: Verify Website (2 minutes)
```
✅ scripter.app loads
✅ Signup/login works
✅ Core features functional
```

### Step 2: Prepare Assets (5 minutes)
```
✅ Thumbnail: /marketing/product-hunt-assets/thumbnail/thumbnail-primary-240x240.png
✅ Screenshots: Capture 2-5 from dev (see plan above)
✅ Maker comment: Copy from submission-content.md
✅ First comment: Copy from submission-content.md
```

### Step 3: Submit to Product Hunt (10 minutes)
```
1. Go to: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/new
2. Fill out form:
   - Product name: Scripter
   - Tagline: Write screenplays faster, collaborate better, ship anywhere
   - Website: https://scripter.app
   - Category: Apps
   - Thumbnail: Upload thumbnail-primary-240x240.png
   - Screenshots: Upload 2-5 screenshots
   - Launch date: May 7, 2026
3. Paste maker comment
4. Submit for review
```

### Step 4: After Submission (5 minutes)
```
1. Share PH link with team
2. Prepare supporter outreach list
3. Note: PH review takes 24-48 hours
4. Once approved, can add more assets anytime
```

**Total time:** 22 minutes  
**Result:** PH submission complete, 3 days overdue but still viable!

---

## Post-Submission Asset Updates

Product Hunt allows updating assets:

**Before Launch Day:**
- ✅ Can add more screenshots
- ✅ Can add GIFs
- ✅ Can add video
- ✅ Can edit tagline
- ✅ Can edit description

**After Launch Day:**
- ❌ Cannot change major assets
- ✅ Can still respond to comments

**Strategy:** Submit now with minimum, add polished assets as they're ready

---

## Risk Assessment

### Submit Today (Recommended) ✅

**Pros:**
- ✅ Meets PH requirements
- ✅ Time for supporter recruitment
- ✅ Can add assets later
- ✅ Launch day momentum possible

**Cons:**
- ⚠️ Only 2-5 screenshots initially
- ⚠️ No video (can add later)
- ⚠️ Less polished first impression

**Verdict:** **DO IT** - pros heavily outweigh cons

### Wait for Perfect Assets ❌

**Pros:**
- ✅ More polished initial submission

**Cons:**
- ❌ Further delay (already 3 days late)
- ❌ Less time for supporter outreach
- ❌ Lower launch day ranking likely
- ❌ Press may miss launch

**Verdict:** **DON'T DO IT** - perfectionism kills launches

---

## Decision Framework

**Question:** Should we submit today or wait?

**Answer: SUBMIT TODAY** if:
- ✅ Website is live and functional
- ✅ Core features work (editor, formatting, export)
- ✅ Have 2+ screenshots (can be from dev)
- ✅ Have thumbnail ✅ (we do!)
- ✅ Have maker comment drafted ✅ (we do!)

**Answer: WAIT** if:
- ❌ Website is broken
- ❌ Product crashes on signup
- ❌ Core features don't work
- ❌ Can't capture 2 screenshots

**Our situation:** ✅ **SUBMIT TODAY**

---

## Timeline Impact

### If Submit Today (April 26)

| Date | Activity | Status |
|------|----------|--------|
| April 26 | Submit to PH | ✅ Do today |
| April 27-28 | PH review + approval | ⏳ Normal |
| April 28-30 | Add more screenshots | ⏳ As ready |
| May 1-3 | Add GIFs + video | ⏳ As ready |
| May 4-6 | Supporter outreach | ⏳ On track |
| May 7 | **LAUNCH DAY** | ⏳ Ready |

**Result:** Viable launch, good chance of Top 5

### If Wait Until "Perfect" (May 1+)

| Date | Activity | Status |
|------|----------|--------|
| May 1 | Submit to PH | ❌ 8 days late |
| May 2-3 | PH review | ⏳ Rushed |
| May 4-6 | Add assets | ⏳ Rushed |
| May 7 | LAUNCH DAY | ⚠️ Underprepared |

**Result:** Rushed launch, low momentum, likely <100 upvotes

**Verdict:** Submit today >>> wait for perfect

---

## Action Items

### DO TODAY (April 26)

**CMO:**
1. ⏳ Capture 2-5 screenshots from dev (30 min)
2. ⏳ Submit to Product Hunt (22 min)
3. ⏳ Share PH link with team
4. ⏳ Begin VIP supporter list

**CTO:**
1. ⏳ Confirm scripter.app is live and stable
2. ⏳ Ensure core features work (editor, export, pricing)
3. ⏳ Help with screenshot capture if needed

**Founder:**
1. ⏳ Review maker comment draft
2. ⏳ Provide name for maker comment
3. ⏳ Approve submission

### THIS WEEK (April 27 - May 3)

**CMO:**
1. ⏳ Add more screenshots to PH (as product stabilizes)
2. ⏳ Create and add GIFs
3. ⏳ Edit and upload maker video
4. ⏳ Execute supporter outreach (VIP list, emails)
5. ⏳ Schedule social posts

**All:**
1. ⏳ Prepare for launch day (May 7)

---

## Success Metrics

**Minimum Viable Launch:**
- 100+ upvotes
- 10+ comments
- Top 20 Apps category

**Target Launch:**
- 500+ upvotes
- 50+ comments
- Top 5 Apps category ✅

**Stretch Launch:**
- 1000+ upvotes
- 100+ comments
- #1 Apps category

**Submitting today makes Target Launch possible.**  
**Waiting makes Minimum Viable unlikely.**

---

**Status:** 🚨 URGENT - Submit within 2 hours  
**Next:** Capture screenshots, submit to PH  
**Owner:** CMO (with CTO support for dev access)
