Essay

How to Do a Successful Hacker News Launch

Lucas Costa Free Intermediate

A working engineer's own account of what actually happened when he posted to Hacker News, including timing, title wording, and how he handled the comment thread in real time. It's more honest than most launch guides because it shows the messy parts, not just the outcome.

  • Post when your target audience is awake and you can personally reply for the next few hours
  • A direct, specific title beats a clever or salesy one on Hacker News every time
  • The comment thread is the actual launch, the initial post just opens the door
Open on lucasfcosta.com ↗

The question it answers

  1. What's the best channel to launch on, Product Hunt, Reddit, Hacker News, or LinkedIn?

Read with it

  1. A YC partner and ex-Airbnb growth lead gives a tactical, no-fluff talk on landing early customers for both B2B and B2C. It's... YC Startup Library Video · ~30 min video How to Get Your First Customers Gustaf Alstromer (Y Combinator)
  2. A data-backed teardown of how companies like Figma, Gusto, and Vanta actually sourced their earliest customers. Replaces... Lenny's Newsletter Article · ~15 min read How today's fastest-growing B2B startups found their first ten customers Lenny Rachitsky
  3. The definitive talk that reframes launching from a one-shot event into a repeatable tactic, exactly this category's thesis. YC... YC Startup Library Video · ~25 min How to Launch (Again and Again) Kat Manalac (Y Combinator)
  4. The official, primary-source guide straight from Product Hunt, it dispels myths and sets realistic expectations, unlike the sea... Product Hunt Article · guide / multi-page Product Hunt Launch Guide Product Hunt
  5. The authoritative handbook on founder-led sales, written for technical/first-time sellers building B2B SaaS. Readable free... foundingsales.com Book · book (~400 pages) Founding Sales: The Early Stage Go-to-Market Handbook Peter Kazanjy
  6. A blunt, practical guide from Demand Curve's founder on which paid and organic channels fit which business, and why most... julian.com Article · Long-form guide Startup Handbook: Customer Acquisition Channels Julian Shapiro
eChai Partner Brands The partnership →