Featured in the press, but where are the users?
A maker recalled a burst of press traffic that did not turn into users. Smaller publications closer to the audience worked better.
The takeaway
Go where your customers are, not just where makers gather.
The context
In a Show HN discussion about a launch platform, klabb3 recalled promoting Payload. A prominent publication generated temporary traffic but not the expected users. Technology blogs aimed at ordinary readers performed better. The lesson is about audience fit, not a universal verdict on launch platforms.
Steps worth trying
Editorial suggestions, not promises made by the original author.
- 01
Describe the target customer and three communities they already visit.
- 02
Test the same clear product pitch in two different channels.
- 03
Compare activation and meaningful usage, not just visits.
Where this applies — and where it may not
Channel performance depends on product and timing. This recollection does not provide enough data to calculate conversion rates.
From the discussion
“your customers might not be on product hunt checking out the coolest newest hypiest products.”
@klabb3 · View source
Show HN: I built a fair alternative to Product Hunt for indie makers
@lakshikag · 246 points · 112 comments
Read the Hacker News threadSource: OpenIndex Hacker News dataset (ODC-By). Original content belongs to its authors. Summaries, translations, and suggested steps are AI-assisted editorial work. Read the sources; individual outcomes are not guarantees.