# Founder Review Required - Product Hunt Launch

**Created:** 2026-04-26  
**Priority:** HIGH  
**Deadline:** April 27, 2026 (for April 28 execution)  
**Owner:** Founder + CMO

---

## ⚠️ Actions Required From You

You need to complete these 4 items by **end of day April 27** so we can execute the VIP outreach on April 28.

### 1. Pick Thumbnail Variant (2 min)

**3 variants created** - choose one for Product Hunt submission:

| Variant | File | Background | Notes |
|---------|------|------------|-------|
| **Primary** | `thumbnail-primary-240x240.png` | #518ac8 (Scripter Blue) | Centered logo, clean, recommended |
| **Variant A** | `thumbnail-variant-a-240x240.png` | #4377bb (lighter blue) | Slightly brighter |
| **Variant B** | `thumbnail-variant-b-240x240.png` | #518ac8 + tagline | "Write Faster" text below logo |

**Location:** `/marketing/product-hunt-assets/thumbnail/`

**Your Decision:** Which variant? (Primary recommended)

---

### 2. Fill VIP List - 10 Names (15 min)

**We need 10 VIP supporters** who will upvote within the first hour of launch (12:01 AM PT May 7).

**VIP Categories:**

#### Beta Testers (4 slots)
People who tested Scripter and gave positive feedback:

| # | Name | Email | Company | Feedback They Gave |
|---|------|-------|---------|-------------------|
| 1 | | | | |
| 2 | | | | |
| 3 | | | | |
| 4 | | | | |

#### Screenwriting Influencers (3 slots)
Twitter/YouTube/Reddit accounts with 1K+ followers:

| # | Name | Handle/Email | Platform | Followers |
|---|------|--------------|----------|-----------|
| 1 | | @ | | |
| 2 | | @ | | |
| 3 | | @ | | |

**Suggestions to research:**
- Twitter: Search "screenwriting tips"
- YouTube: Script review channels
- Reddit: r/Screenwriting mods

#### Founder Network (3 slots)
Your personal/professional connections:

| # | Name | Email | Company/Relationship |
|---|------|-------|---------------------|
| 1 | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| 3 | | | |

**Full template:** `/marketing/vip-hunter-list-draft.md`

---

### 3. Approve Email Templates (5 min)

**Template 1: VIP Personal Email (from you)**

```
Subject: Quick favor? Launching on Product Hunt May 7 🚀

Hey [Name],

I'm launching Scripter on Product Hunt next Thursday (May 7) and could use your support!

It takes 10 seconds:
1. Go to [PH link] at 12:01 AM PT Thursday
2. Click the upvote button
3. Optionally leave a comment or share

Product Hunt is huge for early visibility. Your upvote in the first hour especially matters.

Can I count on you?

Thanks!
[Your Name]

P.S. Happy to return the favor on your next launch!
```

**Template 2: Active Supporter Email (from CMO)**

```
Subject: Scripter launches on Product Hunt - need your help!

Hey [Name],

You're on our waitlist for Scripter, and I wanted to give you a heads up!

We're launching on Product Hunt next Thursday, May 7. PH is one of the best ways to discover new products, and your support would mean the world.

How to help (takes 10 seconds):
1. Go to [PH link] on May 7
2. Click the upvote button
3. Share with 2 screenwriter friends

First-hour upvotes are critical - if you can upvote around 12:01 AM PT, that's when it matters most.

Any questions about the product? Happy to answer!

Thanks for being part of the journey,
[Your Name]

P.S. Free Pro account for anyone who refers 3+ signups on launch day!
```

**Full email templates:** `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-outreach.md`

**Your Decision:** Do these templates sound like you? Any changes?

---

### 4. Confirm Launch Date (1 min)

**Current Plan:**
- **Product Hunt Submission:** April 23, 2026
- **Launch Day:** May 7, 2026 (Thursday)
- **Time:** 12:01 AM PT

**Your Decision:** Does this timeline work? Any conflicts?

---

## 📊 Current Progress Summary

### What's Complete (40% of total)

✅ **Thumbnails:** 3 variants ready for your review  
✅ **Video script:** 90-second maker video script written  
✅ **Outreach plan:** 6 email templates (VIP to thank you)  
✅ **Tracker:** 50-slot supporter tracking system  
✅ **Mailchimp guide:** Free tier setup guide ($0/mo)  
✅ **VIP list framework:** Draft ready for your input  

### What's Pending

⏳ **Screenshots:** Need to schedule session with CTO (April 28-29)  
⏳ **GIFs:** After screenshots captured  
⏳ **Video recording:** Need your voiceover (April 28)  
⏳ **PH submission:** Submit April 23  

### Timeline Status

| Milestone | Date | Status |
|-----------|------|--------|
| PH submission | April 23 | ✅ On track |
| VIP outreach | April 28 | 🟡 Awaiting your input |
| Screenshot session | April 28-29 | 🟡 Need to schedule |
| Video recording | April 28 | 🟡 Awaiting your availability |
| Launch day | May 7 | ✅ On track |

---

## 🎯 What Happens After You Approve

### April 28 (VIP Outreach Day)

**9:00 AM PT:**
- CMO loads your 10 VIP emails into Mailchimp
- CMO personalizes email templates per VIP
- **You send personal VIP emails** (from your email, not Mailchimp)

**10:00 AM PT:**
- Screenshot session with CTO (1-2 hours)
- Capture: Editor, collaboration, export, pricing

**2:00 PM PT:**
- Record video voiceover (30 min)
- Use script from `/marketing/product-hunt-video-script.md`

### April 29 (Active Supporter Outreach)

**10:00 AM PT:**
- CMO sends email to 25 Active Supporters (waitlist)
- CMO posts to social media (Twitter, LinkedIn)

### April 30 (General Network)

**12:00 PM PT:**
- Social media blast to general network
- Reddit posts (r/Screenwriting, r/Filmmakers)

### May 1-6 (Follow-ups)

- Daily reminders to non-responders
- "2 days left" urgency email (May 5)
- "Tomorrow!" reminder (May 6)

### May 7 (LAUNCH DAY)

**12:01 AM PT:**
- PH page goes live
- CMO sends "We're live!" email to all 50+ supporters
- VIPs upvote in first hour (target: 50+ upvotes by 1:00 AM)

**All day:**
- Monitor PH ranking hourly
- Respond to every comment within 5 min
- Share milestones (100 upvotes, etc.)

**8:00 PM PT:**
- "Final hours!" urgency push
- Launch ends at 12:01 AM PT May 8

### May 8 (Thank You)

**10:00 AM PT:**
- Send thank you email to all supporters
- Share results publicly
- Post-mortem internally

---

## 📋 Quick Response Format

**Reply with:**

```
1. Thumbnail: [Primary / Variant A / Variant B]

2. VIP List:
   Beta Testers: [Name 1, Name 2, Name 3, Name 4]
   Influencers: [Name 1, Name 2, Name 3]
   Founder Network: [Name 1, Name 2, Name 3]
   
   (or attach CSV/spreadsheet)

3. Email templates: [Approved / Changes needed: ___]

4. Launch timeline: [Confirmed / Need to adjust: ___]

5. Video recording availability: [Date/time]
```

---

## 📞 Questions?

**Contact:** CMO via Paperclip issue FRE-635

**Full documentation:**
- Launch plan: `/marketing/product-hunt-launch-plan.md`
- VIP list draft: `/marketing/vip-hunter-list-draft.md`
- Email templates: `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-outreach.md`
- Video script: `/marketing/product-hunt-video-script.md`
- Asset brief: `/marketing/product-hunt-assets-brief.md`

---

**Deadline:** April 27, 2026 (end of day)  
**Impact of delay:** VIP outreach slips to April 29, reduces launch momentum

**Status:** ⏳ Awaiting your review and approval
