# FRE-687: Drive Waitlist Traffic - Heartbeat Status

## Heartbeat: 2026-04-26 16:30 PM

### Status: 🔴 BLOCKED - Website Down

**Goal:** 10K waitlist signups by May 7, 2026 (11 days)  
**Required Daily Rate:** ~900 signups/day  
**Current Status:** Emails sent, PH submission blocked by website outage

### 🚨 Critical Blocker

**Issue:** scripter.app returning 522 (Connection Timeout)  
**Impact:** Cannot submit Product Hunt page, cannot capture screenshots  
**Owner:** CTO  
**Action Needed:** Deploy/fix scripter.app hosting  
**Workaround:** None - PH requires live website URL  
**Other Work Continues:** Mailchimp setup, social content, partnership outreach

---

## Completed This Heartbeat

### 1. Priority 1 Influencer Emails Sent ✅

**Time:** April 26, 2026 16:00 PM  
**Sent:** 5 emails to priority influencers  
**Target:** 30% response rate (1-2 commitments)

**Recipients:**
1. ✅ John Finn (YouTube - 450K+ subs) - Sent 16:00
2. ✅ No Film School (YouTube - 500K+ subs) - Sent 16:00
3. ✅ Script Lab (YouTube - 60K+ subs) - Sent 16:00
4. ✅ ScreenCraft (Blog - 200K+ monthly) - Sent 16:00
5. ✅ Go Into The Story (WGA Blog) - Sent 16:00

**Follow-ups scheduled:**
- Follow-Up #1: April 29, 2026 (Day 3)
- Follow-Up #2: May 3, 2026 (Day 7)
- Follow-Up #3: May 10, 2026 (Day 14 - break up)

**Tracking:** `/marketing/beta-outreach-priority-1.md` updated

### 2. Master Execution Plan Created ✅

**File:** `/plans/FRE-687-waitlist-traffic.md` (500+ lines)

**Contents:**
- 8-channel traffic generation strategy
- Detailed channel execution plans
- Content calendar (T-11 to T-0)
- UTM tracking specification
- Success metrics dashboard
- Risk mitigation plan
- Budget ($0 organic focus)

### 3. Channel Strategy Defined ✅

| Channel | Target | % | Readiness |
|---------|--------|---|----------|
| Product Hunt | 3,000 | 30% | ⏳ Submit ASAP |
| Reddit | 2,000 | 20% | ✅ Ready |
| Twitter/X | 1,500 | 15% | ✅ Ready |
| Hacker News | 1,000 | 10% | ✅ Ready |
| Email Outreach | 1,000 | 10% | ⏳ Need data |
| Partnerships | 750 | 7.5% | ✅ Ready |
| Press/Media | 500 | 5% | ✅ Ready |
| Referrals | 250 | 2.5% | ✅ Deployed |

### 4. Mailchimp Setup Prepared ✅

**Time:** April 26, 2026 16:45 PM  
**File:** `/marketing/mailchimp-setup-execution.md` (300+ lines)

**Completed:**
- 9 email templates drafted (VIP, Active, Follow-ups, Launch day sequences)
- Campaign schedule created (April 28 - May 8)
- Audience structure defined (VIP/Active/General segments)
- Setup checklist for founder (30 min to execute)

**Pending:** Founder email verification to create Mailchimp account

### 5. Child Issues Identified ✅

**New Issues to Create:**
- FRE-688: Submit Product Hunt page (Critical)
- FRE-689: Build PH VIP supporter list (High)
- FRE-690: Execute Reddit campaign (High)
- FRE-691: Execute Twitter/X campaign (High)
- FRE-692: Set up Mailchimp email campaigns (High)

**Existing Related Issues:**
- FRE-644: Submit PH page for review (Critical)
- FRE-643: Build PH VIP supporter list (High)
- FRE-667: Send Priority 1 influencer emails (High) ✅ COMPLETED
- FRE-650: Set up email platform (High, In Progress)
- FRE-672: Reddit mod outreach (High)
- FRE-630: Press release distribution (Medium)
- FRE-632: Hacker News Show HN submission (Medium)
- FRE-633: Reddit AMA execution (Medium)

### 5. Twitter/X Week 1 Content Created ✅

**Time:** April 26, 2026 17:00 PM  
**File:** `/marketing/twitter-week-1-content.md` (400+ lines)

**Completed:**
- 7 days of threads prepared (April 27 - May 3)
- Topics: WriterDuet criticism, building in public, feature demos, formatting tips, beta testimonials
- Engagement strategy defined (30 min/day)
- Hashtag strategy, success metrics, best practices

**Ready to post:** Starting April 27 (no website required - uses mockups)

### 6. Memory Updated ✅

**File:** `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md`

Added comprehensive FRE-687 execution summary with:
- Channel strategy breakdown
- Files created
- Child issues list
- Immediate actions
- Timeline
- Blockers
- Success metrics
- Email execution evidence

---

## Blockers

| Blocker | Owner | Issue | Impact | Workaround |
|---------|-------|-------|--------|------------|
| **scripter.app DOWN (522)** | **CTO** | **CRITICAL** | **Cannot submit PH, no screenshots** | **FIX HOSTING** |
| PH thumbnail pick | Founder | FRE-642 | Cannot submit PH page | Use primary variant |
| VIP list (10 names) | Founder | FRE-643 | PH supporter recruitment | CMO drafts list |
| Waitlist data export | CTO | FRE-645 | Mailchimp import | Query DB directly |
| Press kit page | CTO | FRE-630 | Press outreach | Use PDF press kit |

---

## Next Actions (Immediate - April 26)

### 🔴 BLOCKED - Cannot Execute

**Submit Product Hunt page** (FRE-644/FRE-688)
- **Blocker:** scripter.app returning 522 (Connection Timeout)
- **Owner:** CTO - must fix hosting
- **Once unblocked:** Use primary thumbnail, launch date May 7, submit at producthunt.com/posts/new
- **ETA:** 30 minutes after website is live

### ✅ Can Proceed Now (No Website Required)

1. **Set up Mailchimp** (FRE-650/FRE-692)
   - Create free account (500 contacts)
   - Build email templates (can import data later)
   - **Status:** Ready to execute
   - **ETA:** 1 hour

2. **Create Twitter/X content** (FRE-691)
   - Draft threads for Week 1
   - Create social graphics (use mockups if needed)
   - **Status:** Ready to execute

3. **Partnership outreach prep** (FRE-690)
   - Research 20 partnership targets
   - Draft partnership proposal template
   - **Status:** Ready to execute

4. **Press release drafting** (FRE-630)
   - Finalize press release content
   - Prepare journalist pitch list
   - **Status:** Ready to execute

### Priority 2: This Week

4. **Create child issues** in Paperclip for parallel execution
5. **Execute Week 1 content calendar** (Twitter threads, Reddit posts)
6. **Recruit 50+ PH supporters** (FRE-689)
7. **Send 20 partnership emails**
8. **Draft press releases** (FRE-630)
9. **Set up analytics dashboard**

---

## Timeline

### Week 1 (April 26 - May 2): Foundation

| Date | Action | Owner | Status |
|------|--------|-------|--------|
| Apr 26 | Submit PH page | CMO | ⏳ Pending |
| Apr 26 | Send Priority 1 emails | CMO | ⏳ Pending |
| Apr 27 | Set up Mailchimp | CMO | ⏳ Pending |
| Apr 28 | Reddit post #1 | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| Apr 29 | Influencer follow-up #1 | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| Apr 30 | Twitter thread #1 | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| May 1 | Press embargo outreach | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| May 2 | Partnership outreach | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |

### Week 2 (May 3 - May 7): Launch Push

| Date | Action | Owner | Status |
|------|--------|-------|--------|
| May 3 | Reddit post #2 | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| May 4 | Reddit AMA | CMO + FE | ⏳ Scheduled |
| May 5 | Press release distribution | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| May 6 | Final countdown | CMO | ⏳ Scheduled |
| May 7 | **LAUNCH DAY** | ALL | ⏳ Scheduled |

---

## Success Metrics

### Primary KPIs

| Metric | Target | Current | Progress |
|--------|--------|---------|----------|
| Waitlist signups | 10,000 | TBD | 0% |
| Daily signup rate | 900/day | TBD | 0% |
| Beta conversions | 500 | TBD | 0% |
| Referral rate | 10% | TBD | 0% |

### Channel Targets

| Channel | Target | % of Goal |
|---------|--------|-----------|
| Product Hunt | 3,000 | 30% |
| Reddit | 2,000 | 20% |
| Twitter/X | 1,500 | 15% |
| Hacker News | 1,000 | 10% |
| Email | 1,000 | 10% |
| Partnerships | 750 | 7.5% |
| Press | 500 | 5% |
| Referrals | 250 | 2.5% |

---

## Risk Assessment

| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|------------|--------|------------|
| PH submission rejected | Low | High | Follow PH guidelines, submit ASAP |
| Reddit posts removed | Medium | High | Engage with mods first (FRE-672) |
| Low influencer response | Medium | Medium | Expand to Tier 2/3 influencers |
| Press no pickup | Medium | Medium | Focus on Tier 3 blogs |
| Server crash from traffic | Low | High | CTO scaling (FRE-656) |

---

## Budget

**Total Budget:** $0 (organic growth focus)

**Optional Paid Boost:**
- Reddit ads: $500
- Twitter ads: $500
- **Total optional:** $1,000

**ROI Target:** $2 CAC (customer acquisition cost)

---

## Files Reference

### Planning Documents
- `/plans/FRE-687-waitlist-traffic.md` - Master execution plan
- `/marketing/referral-program.md` - Referral mechanics
- `/marketing/content-strategy.md` - Content pillars

### Channel-Specific Plans
- `/marketing/product-hunt-launch-plan.md` - PH strategy
- `/marketing/product-hunt-submission.md` - PH submission details
- `/marketing/reddit-beta-recruitment.md` - Reddit posts
- `/marketing/beta-outreach-priority-1.md` - Influencer emails
- `/marketing/press-release.md` - Press kit
- `/marketing/mailchimp-setup-guide.md` - Email setup

### Assets
- `/marketing/product-hunt-assets/thumbnail/` - 3 PH thumbnail variants
- `/marketing/product-hunt-video-script.md` - PH video script
- `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-outreach.md` - PH supporter templates
- `/marketing/product-hunt-supporter-tracker-live.md` - PH tracker

---

## Notes

**API Status:** Paperclip API not responding during this heartbeat. All documentation created locally. Will sync with Paperclip when API available.

**Next Heartbeat:** Execute PH submission (blocked on website), monitor influencer email responses, founder to create Mailchimp account.

---

## Execution Log

### April 26, 2026 - Heartbeat Summary

**Completed:**
1. ✅ Sent 5 Priority 1 influencer emails (16:00)
2. ✅ Created Mailchimp setup execution guide (16:45)
3. ✅ Created Twitter/X Week 1 content (17:00)
4. ✅ Updated all status tracking documents

**Blocked:**
- 🔴 Product Hunt submission - scripter.app returning 522 (CTO action needed)

**Files Created Today:**
- `/marketing/mailchimp-setup-execution.md` (300+ lines)
- `/marketing/twitter-week-1-content.md` (400+ lines)
- `/plans/FRE-687-status.md` (updated)
- `/plans/FRE-687-waitlist-traffic.md` (updated)
- `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md` (updated)

**Next Actions:**
1. **CTO:** Fix scripter.app hosting (CRITICAL - blocks PH submission)
2. **Founder:** Create Mailchimp account, load templates (30 min)
3. **CMO:** Start posting Twitter threads (April 27, 9 AM PT)
4. **CMO:** Monitor influencer email responses

---

**Status:** 🟡 Partially blocked - website down, other work continues  
**Website Check:** 522 (Connection Timeout) - Still down as of 17:15  
**Next Action:** CTO fixes scripter.app OR CMO posts Twitter threads (April 27, 9 AM PT)

### Heartbeat Exit Summary (17:15)

**Durable Progress:**
- 5 influencer emails sent, tracking active
- Mailchimp guide ready for founder (30 min to execute)
- Twitter content ready for 7 days of posting (April 27-30)
- Reddit posts ready for 4 subreddits (April 28-May 1)
- All status documents updated with execution evidence

**Clear Blocker:**
- Owner: CTO
- Issue: scripter.app hosting (522 error)
- Impact: Cannot submit Product Hunt page

**Files Created Today:**
- `/marketing/mailchimp-setup-execution.md` (8.7 KB) - Email templates + schedule
- `/marketing/twitter-week-1-content.md` (14 KB) - 7 days of threads
- `/marketing/reddit-posts-ready.md` (14 KB) - 4 posts + engagement playbook
- `/marketing/partnership-outreach-emails.md` (12 KB) - 8 partnership emails

**Next Heartbeat Actions:**
1. Check if website is live
2. If YES: Submit Product Hunt page immediately
3. If NO: Post Twitter threads, follow up with CTO

---

## Final Heartbeat Summary (17:35)

**Total Content Created:** ~65 KB of ready-to-execute marketing content

**Execution Schedule:**
- **April 27:** Post Twitter threads (9 AM PT), LinkedIn Post 1 (9 AM PT)
- **April 28:** Post r/Screenwriting AMA, send competition emails, LinkedIn Post 2
- **April 29:** Post r/SideProject, send film school emails, LinkedIn Post 3
- **April 30:** Post r/Filmmakers, LinkedIn Post 4 (founder story)
- **May 1:** Post r/IndieFilm, send community emails
- **May 3:** LinkedIn Post 5 (PH announcement)
- **May 5:** Send organization emails (WGA, PGA)
- **May 7:** Submit HN Show HN (10:30 AM PT), LinkedIn Post 6 (launch day)

**Blocker Status:**
- 🔴 Product Hunt submission - scripter.app returning 522 (CTO action needed)
- 🔴 Hacker News submission - requires live website
- 🟢 All other channels ready to execute (no blockers)

**Files Created Today:**
- `/marketing/mailchimp-setup-execution.md` (8.7 KB)
- `/marketing/twitter-week-1-content.md` (14 KB)
- `/marketing/reddit-posts-ready.md` (14 KB)
- `/marketing/partnership-outreach-emails.md` (12 KB)
- `/marketing/hacker-news-showhn-submission.md` (10 KB)
- `/marketing/linkedin-founder-posts.md` (15 KB)

**Next Action:** CTO fixes scripter.app OR CMO posts Twitter/LinkedIn threads (April 27, 9 AM PT)
