gtm-0-to-1-launch

# 0-to-1 Launch Launch new products from idea to first customers. The goal isn't headlines — it's finding 10 customers who can't live without you. ## When to Use **Triggers:** - "How do we launch this product?" - "First customer acquisition strategy" - "We launched but nobody's using it" - "Product Hunt vs direct outreach?" - "We have awareness but no conversion" - "How do I know if this is working?" **Context:** - New product launches - Feature launches that feel like new products - Finding first 10-50 customers - Validating product-market fit - Diagnosing why early traction stalls --- ## Core Frameworks ### 1. Press ≠ Growth (The Launch That Got 12 Signups) **The Pattern:** Coordinated a feature launch with full press tour. TechCrunch, VentureBeat, product blogs. Big announcement day. **Result:** - 50K impressions - 12 signups - 2 conversions **Why It Failed:** Optimized for media buzz, not user value. The feature wasn't ready for self-serve. It needed education, context, hand-holding. Press gives you eyeballs. But eyeballs without activation = vanity. **What Works Better:** Email 50 target customers directly. "We built [feature] because teams like yours struggle with [problem]. Want early access?" Walk them through setup personally. Get feedback, iterate. **Result:** 50 emails → 15 replies (30% reply rate) → 8 trials → 4 conversions (50% trial-to-paid). **The Lesson:** Early customers come from direct outreach, not press coverage. Press matters later (Seri...