When I launched my first app, I thought launch day would be this massive moment where everything clicked—users would flood in, traffic would spike, and I’d sit back and watch it grow.
Instead… nothing happened.
It wasn’t because the app was bad. It was because I didn’t build any hype before launch. I built in silence, dropped the product cold, and expected the world to care.
Since then, I’ve learned that what you do before launch matters just as much as the app itself. Now, I treat pre-launch campaigns like a product in their own right—designed, tested, and optimized to create momentum.
Let me show you what works.
🎯 Step 1: Define Who You’re Building Hype For
Before you start throwing out teasers or ads, get crystal clear on your audience. Who is this app for? What problem does it solve? And what makes it exciting?
For one app I built in the fitness space, I created an entire pre-launch list targeting personal trainers and gym enthusiasts. The copy, images, and positioning spoke directly to their pain points—things like tracking progress, keeping clients engaged, and saving time.
Hype only works if it resonates. And resonance starts with specificity.
🧲 Step 2: Create a “Hype Magnet” Landing Page
Every pre-launch campaign needs a simple, beautiful landing page with one job: capture email addresses.
I like to keep it tight:
- A compelling headline
- A short video or image of the app in action
- A signup box with a benefit (e.g. “Get early access,” “Join the beta,” or “Be the first to try it”)
Use a tool like ConvertKit, Mailchimp, or a no-code builder like Carrd. Don’t overcomplicate it—the faster you get the page up, the faster you start collecting interest.
📬 Step 3: Use Email to Build a Relationship
Once you’ve got people on your list, don’t ghost them until launch day. That’s a huge mistake.
Send updates regularly. Show off progress, behind-the-scenes stories, and small wins. Let people vote on features or designs. I’ve found that this kind of inclusion builds loyalty before users even touch the app.
You’re not just marketing—you’re letting early adopters feel like insiders.
📢 Step 4: Hype It Where Your Users Hang Out
Reddit. Discord. Twitter. Indie Hackers. Facebook groups. Wherever your ideal users are talking, join the conversation.
Just don’t be spammy. Share your journey. Ask for feedback. Tease features. And when you do drop the launch, you’ll already have a built-in support base.
One trick I love? Teasing the app with a countdown and a visual sneak peek. It builds curiosity and gives people a reason to check back in.
🚀 Launch Day Isn’t the End—It’s the Beginning
A great pre-launch campaign means launch day isn’t just a cold start—it’s a celebration.
If you’ve done this right, you’ll already have a list of people excited to try the app, talk about it, and give you that critical early traction.
Don’t just build the product. Build the hype.
Because if no one’s watching when you go live, you’re launching in the dark.