# FRE-627: Urgent Product Hunt Submission Action Plan

**Created:** 2026-04-26 3:45 PM  
**Priority:** CRITICAL  
**Status:** Immediate action required

---

## Situation

**Product Hunt submission deadline was April 23 - we're 3+ days overdue**

**Launch date:** May 7, 2026 (11 days from now)

**Risk:** PH review takes 5-7 days. If we submit today (April 26), approval by May 1-3, leaving 4-6 days for pre-launch buildup. This is tight but workable.

**If we delay further:** May need to push launch date to May 10-14.

---

## What's Ready ✅

| Asset | Status | Location |
|-------|--------|----------|
| Thumbnails | ✅ Complete (3 variants) | `/marketing/product-hunt-assets/thumbnail/` |
| Submission draft | ✅ Complete | `/marketing/product-hunt-submission.md` |
| Video script | ✅ Complete | `/marketing/product-hunt-video-script.md` |
| Supporter outreach plan | ✅ Complete | `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-outreach.md` |
| Supporter tracker | ✅ Complete | `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-tracker-live.md` |

## What's Missing ⏳

| Asset | Status | Blocker | Owner |
|-------|--------|---------|-------|
| Screenshots | ⏳ Not captured | Need stable product build | CTO+CMO |
| Video (90s) | ⏳ Not recorded | Need stable product + founder availability | CMO+Founder |
| PH page submission | ⏳ Not submitted | Awaiting screenshots | CMO |

---

## Recommended Action: Submit NOW with Available Assets

**Option A: Wait for perfect assets (NOT RECOMMENDED)**
- Pros: Polished submission
- Cons: Further delay, may need to push launch date
- Timeline: Submit May 1-3, launch May 10-14

**Option B: Submit now, update assets before launch (RECOMMENDED)**
- Pros: Meet May 7 launch date, PH review starts immediately
- Cons: Initial submission has draft screenshots
- Timeline: Submit April 26-27, launch May 7 ✅

**Decision:** Option B - Submit immediately with thumbnails + draft screenshots. Update with final screenshots/video by May 5 (2 days before launch).

---

## Immediate Action Plan (Next 24 Hours)

### Step 1: Create Draft Screenshots (2 hours) - CMO

Even without perfect product stability, create placeholder screenshots:
- Use existing marketing site pages
- Use Figma mockups if product not stable
- Mark as "Preview" or "Beta" if needed

**Required for submission:**
1. Hero editor view (can be mockup)
2. Collaboration feature (can be diagram)
3. Pricing page (already exists at scripter.app/pricing)
4. Any working feature screenshots

### Step 2: Submit PH Page (1 hour) - CMO

**Submission checklist:**
- [ ] Thumbnail: Use `thumbnail-primary-240x240.png`
- [ ] Tagline: "Write screenplays faster, collaborate better, ship anywhere"
- [ ] Description: Use draft from `/marketing/product-hunt-submission.md`
- [ ] Screenshots: Upload draft screenshots (4-6 minimum)
- [ ] Maker comment: Use draft (update founder name)
- [ ] First comment: Use draft feature list
- [ ] Launch date: Select May 7, 2026
- [ ] Hunter: Founder (confirm name)

**Submit at:** https://www.producthunt.com/posts/new

### Step 3: Notify Founder (immediate) - CMO

**Message:**
```
PH submission ready to submit! 

✅ Thumbnails: 3 variants created
✅ Submission copy: Drafted and reviewed
⏳ Screenshots: Using draft versions (will update May 5)
⏳ Video: Will record by May 5

Need from you:
1. Confirm hunter/maker name for PH page
2. Approve submission (or I'll proceed with primary thumbnail)
3. Availability for video recording week of May 5

Launching May 7 is still achievable if we submit TODAY.
```

---

## Post-Submission Timeline

| Date | Action | Owner |
|------|--------|-------|
| Apr 26-27 | Submit PH page | CMO |
| Apr 27 - May 3 | PH review period | PH team |
| May 1-3 | Capture final screenshots (product stable) | CTO+CMO |
| May 3-5 | Record + edit 90s video | CMO |
| May 5 | Update PH page with final assets | CMO |
| May 6 | Final supporter reminders | CMO |
| May 7 | LAUNCH DAY | ALL |

---

## Risk Mitigation

**If PH approval takes longer than expected:**
- Have backup launch date: May 10-12
- Use waitlist landing page for soft launch May 7
- Continue beta recruitment as planned

**If product not stable for screenshots by May 1:**
- Use Figma mockups (already have brand assets)
- Focus on marketing site screenshots (pricing, features pages)
- Be transparent: "Beta preview" in captions

**If founder unavailable for video:**
- Use screen recording with voiceover only (no face)
- Use Descript or similar for quick edit
- PH allows launch without video (helpful but not required)

---

## Decision Required

**Submit PH page today (April 26) with draft assets?**

- ✅ YES: Proceed immediately, update assets by May 5
- ⏸️ NO: Wait for founder approval, risk launch date delay

**Recommendation:** ✅ YES - Submit now, perfect later

---

**Status:** Awaiting decision / Ready to execute Option B  
**Next Action:** Create draft screenshots + submit PH page
