Running a product drop with a launch waitlist
A practical playbook for building hype before launch day: waitlists, live counters, referral queues and staggered releases.
The best launches are sold out before they start. A launch waitlist collects demand early, tells you how much to produce and gives your fans a reason to talk about you.
1. Open the waitlist early
Publish a coming-soon page two to four weeks before launch. Ask for an email (and optionally a phone number for SMS) and say exactly what people will get: first access, a launch price or a limited colour.
2. Show that others are waiting
A live counter (“4,812 people on the waitlist”) is simple social proof. Keep it fast: serve it from a cache, not a live database query.
3. Let fans recruit fans
Give every signup a referral link. Inviting friends moves them up the queue. On launch day, notify the queue in order so the most engaged fans get in first.
4. Release in waves
If you have 500 units and 5,000 signups, do not email everyone at once. Release to the top of the queue first and open the next wave only if stock is left.
5. Measure demand, then reorder
Your waitlist is a forecast. Compare signups, clicks and orders per variant to plan your next production run.
WaitCherry includes drop waitlists, referral queues, live counters and ad pixel events on Growth and above. See product drops.