First Customers (GTM)

How do I build up an audience before I launch so it's not just crickets?

A starting point

Start building in public months before you ship, share the journey, post progress, and collect an email list and community you can rally on launch day. A launch to zero audience is a tree falling in an empty forest; the pre-launch audience is what turns a launch into a spike.

Go deeper

Watch

▶️ Video
Free Beginner

How to Launch (Again and Again)

On YC Startup Library by Kat Manalac (Y Combinator) ~25 min

Why we picked it

The definitive talk that reframes launching from a one-shot event into a repeatable tactic, exactly this category's thesis. YC partner Kat Manalac gives concrete relaunch strategies.

  • Launching is a continuous process, not a single moment you get one shot at.
  • Most first launches get ignored, that's normal, so relaunch repeatedly.
  • Relaunch around new features, audiences, milestones, and channels.
  • Use tactics like pre-orders and outreach to bloggers without big sponsorships.
Open ycombinator.com →

Read

📄 Article
Free Beginner

The best way to launch your startup

From YC Startup Library by Y Combinator ~12 min read

Why we picked it

A practical companion piece on how to actually execute launches and build an audience to launch to. Pairs perfectly with the 'launch again and again' mindset.

  • Build an audience and email list before launch day so it isn't crickets.
  • Ship early rather than waiting for a perfect product.
  • Pick channels that match where your customers actually are.
  • Have a clear story and assets ready before you launch.
Open ycombinator.com →

People also ask

When is my product 'ready' to launch? Sooner than you think, a launch is not one perfect moment, it's something you'll do again and again. Ship as soon as it solves one real problem for... Beginner 2 resources → My launch flopped and nobody cared, did I mess it up? Probably not, and definitely not fatally. Most first launches get ignored, that's normal, which is exactly why you should treat launching as a repe... Beginner 2 resources → How do I actually launch on Product Hunt and not embarrass myself? Read Product Hunt's own official launch guide first, it kills the common myths. Prepare weeks ahead: line up your assets, warm up an audience, laun... Intermediate 2 resources → What's the best channel to launch on, Product Hunt, Reddit, Hacker News, or LinkedIn? Whichever one your customers actually use, don't launch on Product Hunt just because everyone does. Match the channel to your audience: developers ... Intermediate 3 resources → How often should I be launching, is once a quarter too much? There's almost no such thing as too often. Every meaningful feature, integration, milestone, case study, or new segment is an excuse to relaunch. T... Intermediate 1 resource →