That moment when someone leaves a comment during launch day...are they really interested?
A while ago, I commented on a product launch here on PH. I was genuinely interested, so I asked a question about the product and wished the team good luck. I just wanted to be supportive and know more about what they were doing.
The day after the launch, one of the team members added me on LinkedIn, and I accepted. They thanked me for my interest and asked if I’d be open to a partnership. Sounded great to me, so we booked a call.
During the call, though, it became clear that “partnership” meant different things to us:
For them: “You test our product with your clients.”
For me: “We collaborate, share clients, build something together.”
That experience made me realize something important: Not all launch-day comments mean the same thing. On that day, you’ll usually see at least three types of people:
Genuine potential customers: They ask specific questions and want details to evaluate if your product fits their needs.
Supporters: Other makers, friends, curious people. They’re cheering you on. No buying intent. They may ask questions, but not as specific and detailed as potential customers.
Influential community members: People who comment often, shape conversations, and help visibility. Super valuable, but most of the time they don't intend to buy.
In my case, I was clearly a supporter because I was new to PH and had started engaging with the community only a few weeks before. Plus, if that team member had done just a little research before texting me on LinkedIn, they would have seen that NiceJourney was still in the early stages and we were still trying to understand what it was (offer, packages, website, and everything else weren't refined yet).
During the video call with the team member, I felt awkward (and a bit stupid, tbh) because I only wanted to support them, but it was clear that they had already jumped to conclusions. I just wanted to say to them: "I'm so sorry, we're both wasting time, hoped you had figured that out sooner than the video call!"
I think it's amazing when someone's genuinely interested in your product during launch day, but it's important not to rush into assumptions. There are many different people here on PH, each with their own agenda and goals to achieve. So, take a moment to understand who you’re talking to and why they commented before pitching your product.
Have you ever misread a comment during launch day? Or had an unexpected follow-up that made you rethink how you engage after launches?
Replies
This is the reality of listing platforms, @pamela_arienti
I can share snapshots of similar disappointing conversations...
I have now realised it's a reciprocation-based approach that people follow here. No genuine support.
Sweet and polite before the launch, and the mask wears off very soon...hehehe
Makers will tentatively support other makers, so the concept of true customers will naturally go out of the window. Plus, the launch day signups fizzle out pretty quick.
@ashok_nayak That's a very interesting point of view!
You say that, in reality, it's very hard to get genuine support, without hidden agendas?
I still like to believe in authentic connections among people, and hope that someone's still genuinely interested in things, even if they don't get anything from them.
I can also understand how makers-helping-makers aren't true customers, never thought of it that way.
@pamela_arienti, I agree with you. I also appreciate your intent of building authentic connections here...but that makes "you" the genuine one!
Yes, only a few are genuine and there is a high chance we might never meet them. Many see PH as "networking", that's it. The very reason some founders are here is because they believe this platform will benefit them in marketing, SEO, and customer acquisition. Pamela, unfortunately there are many namesake profiles on PH that vote and comment on all featured products all the time. Those are not be mistaken for support or interest.
What happens next is the makers of the top-ranked products take it as positive market validation, only to find much later that 500 upvotes didn't translate to 500 signups...often, it's just 1-2 customers at the end or maybe zero.
In short, genuine connections will tell you the truth, and there will be some element of mentoring/guidance involved. There are extremely few selfless people who do that on PH...
@ashok_nayak that's a harsh truth to hear! Thanks for sharing your point of view so openly :)