FrenoCorp/marketing/product-hunt-minimum-submission.md

Minimum Viable Product Hunt Submission

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

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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

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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!

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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

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Quick Screenshot Plan (Dev Environment)

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

Setup (5 minutes)

# 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)

# 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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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.

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