Creating buzzzzz.... Invites, Waitlists or Open
I've read a lot of conflicting views on this ... I'd love some advice.
We're about to relaunch our news platform ... which has been locked behind an "invite code" for a few months in ~beta state ... and we'd like to create some buzz!!..
In your experience, are we better off:
Running a waitlist ...
Requiring an invite-code ...
Opening it for anyone ...
My experience of #1 is that the conversion rate of folk on the waitlist is really poor.
Ideally we'd stay away from #3 because we kinda set it up so everyone who signs up gets a few invite codes of their own and inviting folk would unlock more content ... (kinda like DropBox when it started).
So my preference is #2 ... but I don't want to throttle growth or make a massive error.
Do I have to just unlock it all completely?
Replies
Uxia
Hello Jim :)
I know this isn't exactly related to your question, but it might help (as it did for us :) ), if you're planning to launch on PH, waiting lists or closed betas are not preferred. If your product isn't open to everyone at the time of the PH launch, the chances of getting featured are lower.
Nourish - Feel better, informed.
That's a great point @borja_diazroig .
We would definitely be [re-]launching here! We love PH ... and I've been lurking around here since forever*.
This is basically a super-app merge of three other things we've launched here over the past few years ... and to a great extent our efforts to fold in the three have been bolstered by the amazing comments and enthusiasm of the community here.
The plan would be to launch here with a "PRODUCTHUNT" invite code that anyone here can use. Already set that up in fact.
Do you think, so long as everyone here can get straight in, that's still a problem?
* Signed up on May 21st, 2015 ... just looked. omg! 10 years!! 🎉 😆
Uxia
@jimbomorrison I think in that case it should be ok as you are providing immediate access :)
https://help.producthunt.com/en/articles/9883485-product-hunt-featuring-guidelines
minimalist phone: creating folders
I think that the "invites only" concept works the best.
Has always worked actually when you created a FOMO around something.
The same case was Clubhouse, Bluesky, AirChat... people even were selling those codes on EBay :D
Nourish - Feel better, informed.
Thanks @busmark_w_nika ...
That's how I feel about it ... (but I don't have Clubhouse or Bluesky's clout! 😆)
Do you think there's much risk? We're putting invite codes out there in the wild ... and even directing folk who don't have one to socials to get one ... but even that's quite an ask?
My hope though is that only signing up people who either been recommended or gone to some effort builds a stronger initial user base... quality not quantity. Does that make sense?
minimalist phone: creating folders
@jimbomorrison I think that the FOMO with invite codes works only when you have a really strong PR / viral campaign beforehand. Because if you do something as a relatively new person/brand, no one cares about invite codes. :D
Datastripes
I’ve noticed the same thing with waitlists as conversion tends to be low. People sign up out of curiosity but by the time you let them in, the excitement has faded.
Maybe invite-codes works better, giving you the viral loop effect (like Dropbox) without the drop-off problem. Idk
My target audience is parents of 1–9-year-olds. Is it really about using tricks like that to reach them? It feels a little disrespectful to these already tired people (I’m one of them). Wouldn’t simply having a solution to a real problem — like tantrums, reaching your goals with them, or saving time — be enough? I feel like that’s plenty, but maaaybe not?
Nourish - Feel better, informed.
You may be right @patryk_borowa ...
There's a certain amount of gamification in our platform... and an incremental paywall (basically, you get a few channels for free, the rest is paid)...
... and what we thought we'd do is reward readers who invite others by letting them unlock a few channels for free, for the first five friends they sign up.
It's tricky ... but it's why the thread was around creating 'buzz' ...
We have no marketing budget at all ... so, we were kinda thinking we'd need to do something more to generate interest ... spread the word ... to reach people, as you put it. Or at least incentivise people to share ... and reward them for doing it?
I'm not sure people often share things - unless they're really, really motivated ... or reminded/encouraged to do so? Do they?
First Answer
Invite codes can work, if they feel like access, not a barrier. Let users unlock value fast, and make inviting others feel like a perk, not a task. Waitlists often lose steam unless you actively nurture them.
Nourish - Feel better, informed.
Thanks @johannagoulart ... I think you're right. To be honest, the more I've thought through this, the more I realise ~0% of our inbound traffic comes from somewhere where we can't seed an invite code. All our socials have links that include an invite code... obs when we launch here we'd include one...
... and then yeah, you're right, for our readers it's a perk: they unlock more channels for free by inviting people.
🤞 that it works. I'll report back! 🫡
GraphBit
I’d stick with invite codes too. Giving users extra invites creates buzz and encourages organic sharing, without losing the sense of a controlled launch.
Nourish - Feel better, informed.
Thanks @musa_molla 🤞 ... that seems to be the consensus. Finger's crossed!
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but each option tends to signal something different to users:
Waitlist: good for positioning scarcity, but you’re right, conversion rates often disappoint unless you give people a clear reason to stay engaged while they wait.
Invite-only: works well when you want to build community vibes and make early adopters feel special. Dropbox did this really well because every invite carried obvious value. The risk is slowing down growth if the referral mechanics don’t feel rewarding enough.
Open access: maximizes reach but you lose the scarcity buzz.
If your goal is buzz and controlled growth, I’d lean toward option 2 as well, but make sure the invite mechanics are strong (clear benefits to inviting, visible social proof when people do it).
One hybrid approach I’ve seen work: open access for a small subset (say a specific community or partner channel), while keeping the broader public funnel invite-only. That way you test demand but still retain the exclusivity element.
What’s the main priority for you right now: learning fast about product/market fit, or maximizing growth numbers? The answer might tilt the strategy.