# Pre-Launch Setup Checklist - FRE-641

**Owner:** CMO
**Status:** Ready to execute
**Launch Date:** TBD (Month 10, Week 1)

---

## Overview

This document tracks pre-launch setup tasks that can be completed before video/graphics assets are ready. These tasks unblock launch day execution.

---

## 1. Buffer Account Setup (Twitter Scheduling)

### Action Items
- [ ] Create Buffer account (free tier: 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts)
- [ ] Connect Twitter account (@scripterapp)
- [ ] Verify Twitter account has proper bio, logo, banner

### Tweet Queue Preparation
- [ ] Load 9-tweet thread from `/plans/twitter-thread-scripter-launch.md`
- [ ] Schedule Tweet 1 for 09:00 PT launch day
- [ ] Schedule Tweets 2-9 at 5-min intervals (09:05, 09:10, ... 09:40)
- [ ] Prepare placeholder for Tweet 8 video attachment
- [ ] Test all UTM-tagged links

### Buffer Setup Notes
```
Free Tier Limits:
- 3 social channels (Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn)
- 10 scheduled posts at a time
- No analytics (use Twitter native analytics)

Workaround: Schedule first 10 tweets, then add more after they publish.
```

---

## 2. UTM Link Creation

### Master Link List

Create and test these links before launch day:

| Destination | UTM-Tagged URL | Short Link (optional) |
|-------------|----------------|----------------------|
| App (Twitter) | `scripter.app?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=launch` | bit.ly/scripter-tw |
| App (Reddit) | `scripter.app?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=sideproject` | bit.ly/scripter-reddit |
| App (Discord) | `scripter.app?utm_source=discord&utm_campaign=launch` | bit.ly/scripter-dc |
| App (YouTube) | `scripter.app?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=launch` | bit.ly/scripter-yt |
| Discord Server | `discord.gg/scripter?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=launch` | bit.ly/join-scripter |
| YouTube Channel | `youtube.com/@scripter?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=launch` | - |

### Testing Checklist
- [ ] All links redirect correctly
- [ ] UTM parameters appear in analytics
- [ ] Mobile links work (test on phone)
- [ ] Links are not broken by URL encoding

---

## 3. Discord Server Setup

### Channel Creation
- [ ] Create `#launch-event` channel (public)
- [ ] Create `#launch-day-qa` channel (public, for live Q&A)
- [ ] Create `#beta-testers` channel (private, role-restricted)
- [ ] Create `#feature-requests` channel (public)

### Event Setup
- [ ] Create Discord event for launch day 13:00 PT
- [ ] Write event description with agenda
- [ ] Set up event reminder bot (1 week, 24h, 1h before)
- [ ] Test screen sharing in voice channel
- [ ] Test audio quality for Q&A

### Event Announcement Template
```
🎬 **SCRIPTER LAUNCH DAY LIVE Q&A** 🎬

📅 Date: [Launch Date]
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM BST
📍 Where: Discord server

Join us for:
✨ Live product demo
✨ AI features showcase
✨ Real-time collaboration demo
✨ Your questions answered
✨ Exclusive discount code

🎁 Discord members get 20% off first year!

See you there!
```

### Role Setup
- [ ] Create `@Beta Tester` role
- [ ] Create `@Launch Day` role (for event ping)
- [ ] Set up welcome bot for new members

---

## 4. Reddit Account Preparation

### Account Requirements Check
- [ ] Account age: 30+ days (required for most subs)
- [ ] Karma: 100+ in target subreddits
- [ ] No recent spam violations

### Subreddit Research
| Subreddit | Members | Rules | Mod Mail |
|-----------|---------|-------|----------|
| r/SideProject | ~500K | Self-promo OK if participatory | /r/SideProject |
| r/Screenwriting | ~400K | Check self-promo rules | /r/Screenwriting |
| r/Filmmakers | ~1.2M | Self-promo in weekly thread | /r/Filmmakers |

### Post Preparation
- [ ] Draft post title in document
- [ ] Draft post body with AMA offer
- [ ] Prepare crosspost strategy
- [ ] Set up post flairs (Show HN, Resource)

---

## 5. YouTube Channel Setup

### Channel Preparation
- [ ] Verify channel art (banner, profile pic)
- [ ] Write channel description with keywords
- [ ] Add links: website, Discord, Twitter
- [ ] Set up channel trailer (optional)

### Upload Preparation
- [ ] Prepare video titles (SEO optimized)
- [ ] Write video descriptions with timestamps
- [ ] Prepare tags list (15-20 tags per video)
- [ ] Create end screen template
- [ ] Create cards for related videos

### 60s Video Metadata
```
Title: Scripter in 60 Seconds | Modern Screenwriting Software

Description:
Quick demo of Scripter - the modern screenwriting platform built with 
Tauri + SolidJS. 10x faster than WriterDuet, with AI features built-in.

🎬 Try Scripter free: [UTM link]
💬 Join Discord: [UTM link]
🐦 Follow on Twitter: [UTM link]

#Screenwriting #WritingSoftware #Scripter

Tags: screenwriting software, free screenwriting software, WriterDuet 
alternative, Scripter, Tauri apps, SolidJS, AI writing tools, Final 
Draft alternative, indie film tools
```

### 10-Min Video Metadata
```
Title: Scripter Review: Best Free Screenwriting Software 2026?

Description:
Complete walkthrough of Scripter, the modern screenwriting platform. 
I'll show you why it's 10x faster than WriterDuet and how the AI 
features can help you write better scripts.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Why Scripter
2:00 Editor Tour
4:00 AI Features
5:30 Collaboration
7:00 Export Options
8:00 Pricing
9:00 Final Thoughts

🎬 Try Scripter free: [UTM link]
💬 Join Discord: [UTM link]
🐦 Follow on Twitter: [UTM link]

#Screenwriting #WritingSoftware #Scripter #WriterDuet #IndieFilm

Tags: screenwriting software review, free screenwriting software, 
WriterDuet alternative, Scripter review, screenwriting tutorial, 
Tauri, SolidJS, AI writing tools, Final Draft alternative, indie 
film tools, best screenwriting software 2026
```

---

## 6. Analytics & Monitoring Setup

### Google Analytics
- [ ] Verify GA4 is tracking scripter.app
- [ ] Set up conversion events (signup, download)
- [ ] Create UTM campaign report

### Google Alerts
- [ ] Create alert for "Scripter"
- [ ] Create alert for "Scripter screenwriting"
- [ ] Create alert for "WriterDuet alternative"
- [ ] Set up email notifications

### Native Analytics Access
- [ ] Twitter Analytics: Verify access
- [ ] YouTube Studio: Verify access
- [ ] Reddit: Use post insights
- [ ] Discord: Use server insights (if enabled)

### Metrics Tracking Spreadsheet
Create Google Sheet with tabs:
- [ ] Launch Day Real-Time (hourly tracking)
- [ ] Week 1 Summary (daily totals)
- [ ] Channel Comparison
- [ ] Lessons Learned

---

## 7. Response Templates & FAQ

### Prepare Documents
- [ ] Twitter response templates (10 common questions)
- [ ] Reddit AMA response templates (15 questions)
- [ ] Discord FAQ document
- [ ] Email response templates for press inquiries

### Key Messages
- [ ] Differentiator: "10x faster, 20% cheaper, AI built-in"
- [ ] Free tier: "Unlimited projects, all core features"
- [ ] Migration: "Fountain + FDX XML import supported"
- [ ] Mobile: "PWA works great, native apps in development"
- [ ] Offline: "Desktop apps work fully offline"

---

## 8. Launch Day Coordination

### Team Coordination
- [ ] Confirm Founding Engineer availability for AMA (10:00-14:00 PT)
- [ ] Confirm Founding Engineer availability for Discord (13:00-14:00 PT)
- [ ] Set up Slack/Discord channel for launch day comms
- [ ] Create escalation path for tech issues

### Backup Plans
- [ ] Screenshot backup if video fails
- [ ] Text-only post backup if images fail
- [ ] Engineer on-call for platform outages
- [ ] Reschedule plan if critical failure

---

## 9. Pre-Launch Testing

### 24 Hours Before Launch
- [ ] Test all scheduled tweets in Buffer
- [ ] Test all UTM links (desktop + mobile)
- [ ] Test Discord screen share and audio
- [ ] Test Reddit post preview
- [ ] Review Twitter thread for typos
- [ ] Download backup copies of all videos locally

### 1 Hour Before Launch
- [ ] Final Buffer queue check
- [ ] Discord event reminder sent
- [ ] Engineer availability confirmation
- [ ] Analytics tracking verification
- [ ] Phone notifications enabled for all platforms

---

## Dependencies

| Task | Depends On | Status |
|------|------------|--------|
| Video scheduling | FRE-639 completion | backlog |
| Thumbnail upload | FRE-640 completion | backlog |
| All other tasks | None | ✅ Ready to execute |

---

## Progress Tracking

| Task | Status | Started | Completed |
|------|--------|---------|-----------|
| Buffer account setup | todo | | |
| UTM link creation | todo | | |
| Discord server setup | todo | | |
| Reddit account prep | todo | | |
| YouTube channel setup | todo | | |
| Analytics setup | todo | | |
| Response templates | todo | | |
| Launch day coordination | todo | | |
| Pre-launch testing | todo | | |

---

**Status:** Ready to begin pre-launch setup
**Next Action:** Start with Buffer account + UTM links (no dependencies)
