This is probably one of the most debated topics in the startup world: Should you build an audience before you launch, or is it better to launch first and grow your audience afterward? I ve seen both approaches work, but each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. - Building an audience first means you're creating buzz, validating your idea, and nurturing a community of early adopters who are invested in your success. But it takes time, patience, and a lot of effort to keep the momentum going before you even have a product to show. - Launching first lets you hit the ground running, gather real-world feedback, and iterate quickly. But without an existing audience, you might struggle to get those initial users and traction. So, indulge me: Which approach did you take or are you considering taking (those who haven't launched yet)? - Did you build an audience before launching your product, or did you launch and then focus on growth?
- What worked (or didn't work) for you?
- If you could go back, would you do it differently? Share your story with us so we can all learn from each other. There's someone here who could benefit from your experience. ----- P.S: If you're a growth-stage founder struggling with churn or stagnant customer acquisition (usually because of poor positioning and messaging), I'd love to help. I specialize in crafting impactful marketing strategies tailored specifically to your product so you can start seeing the results you deserve. Connect with me on LinkedIn today. Can't wait to hear from you!
Product Hunt just added a new leaderboard and it finally answers a big question: who s actually contributing to the platform?
For a long time, Streaks were the main signal of activity on Product Hunt. But streaks only showed who visited every day. Opening the site or app daily doesn t necessarily mean someone is adding enough value.
I came across Deutsche Bank s latest report on AI, and it sparked an interesting thought experiment: how likely is it that we ll see AGI (AI that thinks and learns like a human) within the next five years?
The report highlights a fascinating divergence: the view from money vs. the view from science.
Money: the probability inferred from trillions poured into data centers, Nvidia chips, and servers. Investors seem to be betting that AGI is inevitable.
Science: the probability inferred from research papers and AI development models. Experts are far more cautious, suggesting the realistic probability is only 20%.
Everywhere else I look podcasts, social media, even casual discussions longevity is a hot topic. Bryan Johnson, for example, shows up in my feed constantly.
For me, health-tech feels like the most valuable thing we could be building. Not just extending life expectancy, but actually improving quality of life.
I have to admit I m a tragedy when it comes to being first at trying new technology or so which means I ve fallen for more scams and shady situations than I d like to count.
(At least I can warn my friends and family before they make the same mistakes, so that's the only advantage.)
I decided to share some best practices I regret not doing sooner:
The AI researchers at Andon Labs, the people who gave Anthropic Claude an office vending machine to run, and hilarity ensued, have published the results of a new AI experiment.
They wanted to see if LLMs were technically capable of functioning as a robot s brain, that is, connecting their thinking (textual decision-making) with real sensors and movement.
Hey everyone! It's bittersweet to say that today is my last day at Product Hunt! From a lurker to a maker to a founder to working at Product Hunt is a wild journey and a dream come true. I'm forever grateful to @rrhoover and the whole Product Hunt team for welcoming me and allowing me to do things I love Lastly, I want to thank each of you in this community for making this space an epic destination for makers, founders, and product enthusiasts. Y'all are rockstars! Love you all PS: My next adventure starts at On Deck. I'm excited to be back at building and making things.
