A launch post that works says what you built, who it's for and why you built it, shows it with one image or short video, and asks for one specific thing: try it, give feedback or share it. Write it as a person, not a press release, and change the post for each place instead of pasting the same text everywhere.
What every launch post needs
- A first line that names the problem or the product, not "Big news!". Most people only read the first line.
- What it does, in one sentence a stranger understands. Your tagline is a good start.
- Who it's for. Naming the audience lets the right people recognise themselves.
- Why you built it: the story is what makes people care about a product from someone they don't know.
- One image or a short screen recording. A post with something to look at gets far more attention than text alone.
- One clear ask and one link.
Template for X
Keep the main post short and put the details in replies. Template: "I just launched [product]: [what it does] for [who]. I built it because [one-line story]. [image] Would love your feedback: [link]". Reply to your own post with how it works, what's next and a thank-you to early testers.
Template for LinkedIn
LinkedIn rewards a short story. Template: open with the problem in one line, then two or three short paragraphs on what you noticed, what you built and what you learned building it, then one line on who it's for, then the ask. Many people put the link in the first comment rather than the post itself; either way, make the post useful even to someone who never clicks.
Template for Reddit and communities
Communities punish ads and reward honesty. Read each subreddit's rules first: many only allow self-promotion on certain days or in a weekly thread. Lead with what you learned or a real question, say plainly that you made the product, and keep the link to the end. Template: "I spent [time] building [product] to fix [problem]. Here's what I learned: [2–3 lessons]. It's [free/paid], link below if you want to try it. What would you change?" Our Reddit guide covers which communities fit which products.
Mistakes that get a launch post ignored
- Opening with "We're excited to announce". Nobody else is excited yet; give them a reason.
- Buzzwords instead of facts: "revolutionary", "AI-powered platform", "game-changer".
- Three links and four asks. Pick one.
- Posting the identical text everywhere. Each place has its own tone and rules.
- Posting and leaving. Reply to every comment in the first few hours; that's when a post is decided.
Where to link
Link to a page that already shows proof: a launch page with your screenshots and description, or your own site. A permanent launch page also keeps working after the post is buried, and it gives search engines another page about your product. See where to launch for the platforms worth posting on.
Get a launch page to link to
Launch on IndieLaunch for free and share a product page with your screenshots, description and a link to your site.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a launch post be?
- Short enough that the first line and the image tell the story. On X, one post plus replies. On LinkedIn and Reddit, a few short paragraphs is fine if each one adds something.
- Should I post my launch on every platform on the same day?
- Not necessarily. Posting on one or two places you can actively follow up on beats posting on ten and answering none. Spread the rest over the following days.
- Is it okay to ask friends to share my launch post?
- Yes, ask them to share or comment honestly. Don't ask for coordinated votes on launch platforms; most of them treat that as manipulation and can remove your launch.