Waitlist

Waitlist

A waitlist is not just a list of emails — it's a pre-launch growth engine. Done right, it builds anticipation, gives you beta testers, and converts to paying users on launch day. Done wrong, it's a form that collects nothing and sends no emails.

Context

Read product-context.md if present. Otherwise ask for:

1. Product name and one-liner
2. Expected launch date (or "TBD")
3. What tech stack is being used (Next.js / Webflow / Framer / etc.)
4. Whether email sending is set up (Resend / SendGrid / Loops / Mailchimp, or none yet)

Process

1. Waitlist form: minimum viable version

A waitlist form needs:

• Email field (required)
• Optional: product URL field — if your product is about their product (like SoloMax), collect it up front. This filters serious leads from curious passersby.
• CTA button — action verb. Not "Submit." Use "Get early access," "Join the list," "Reserve my spot."
• Trust note below the form — one line. "No spam. Invited in launch order." / "~200 already on the list." / "Free for early members."

Database schema (if using your own stack):

CREATE TABLE waitlist_leads (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
  email TEXT NOT NULL UNIQUE,
  product_url TEXT,
  source TEXT,         -- where they came from (?ref= param)
  created_at TIMESTAMPTZ DEFAULT now()
);

2. Confirmation email (send immediately on sign-up)

Do not skip the confirmation email. It is the first product experience.

Subject: "You're on the [ProductName] list"

Body:

Hey [first name / "there"],

You're on the list.

[One sentence on what you're building and why it matters.]

When we're ready to invite you, you'll be the first to know — in the order you signed up.

In the meantime: [one thing they can do — follow @X, join the Discord, read the blog post].

— [Your name]
    [ProductName]
    [URL]

P.S. Reply to this email if you have questions or want to share what problem you're trying to solve. I read every reply.

Send using: Resend (simplest for Next.js), Loops (waitlist-specific), or Mailchimp.

3. Weekly nurture email (send once a week until launch)

The goal: stay in their inbox so they remember who you are on launch day.

Format — pick one per week:

• Build in public update: "This week I shipped X. Here's what it looks like."
• Problem framing: "Why [existing solution] doesn't work for [your target user]."
• Early user story: "Beta user [name/company] told me [insight]."
• Behind the scenes: "Why I made [decision] instead of [alternative]."
• Countdown: "2 weeks to launch. Here's what's coming."

Length: 150–300 words. Plain text. One link. Conversational.

Do not: pitch hard, add lots of images, use HTML email templates, BCC everyone (use proper transactional email).

4. Launch email (send on launch day)

Send when you go live. This is the most important email in the sequence.

Subject options:

• "We're live — [ProductName] is ready for you"
• "[First name], your early access is ready"
• "The thing I've been building is live"

Body structure:

[First name / "Hey"],

We're live.

[Link to the product]

[1-2 sentences on what they can do RIGHT NOW — the first action.]

[What's free vs. what requires payment.]

[Personal note: "I built this because…" or "Thank you for waiting."]

— [Your name]

P.S. You get [early access benefit] because you joined the waitlist. Use it.

5. Momentum tactics (while you wait)

To keep the list growing without paid ads:

• Build in public on Twitter/X: one tweet per build session. Show progress, not polish.
• Cross-post to indie communities: Indie Hackers (Post your progress), Show HN (when ready to launch), r/SaaS, r/indiehackers.
• Add your product to early-stage directories now: Betalist, Uneed, There's An AI For That, Futurepedia.
• Offer a referral incentive: "Refer 3 friends and skip the waitlist." (Viral Loops or ReferralHero, or a simple custom param in your form URL)

6. Waitlist tech stack

Simplest (for Next.js apps):

Form → POST /api/waitlist → Neon/Supabase insert + Resend confirmation

If you want referral mechanics: Viral Loops, ReferralHero, or build your own with a ref param and a counter display.

If you want full email flows: Loops.so (built for SaaS waitlists), ConvertKit/Kit, Mailchimp.

Output

1. Form copy — input labels, CTA text, trust note, success message
2. Confirmation email — full copy, ready to paste into Resend/Loops
3. 4-week nurture calendar — topic per week with one-paragraph outline
4. Launch email — full copy
5. Momentum tactics checklist — 5 specific things to do this week to grow the list
6. Tech recommendation — specific stack recommendation based on their current setup

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A launch video is the best waitlist fuel. SoloMax makes one from your product URL in minutes — post it everywhere you're collecting signups.