Launched on PH with 0 followers — here's what actually worked

Just launched CloserKit on Product Hunt a few days ago with zero followers, zero hunter network, nothing.

Didn't get featured. Upvotes were low.
But posting on IndieHackers the same day got 18 upvotes and 53 comments — more feedback than I could have hoped for. Already rebranded and shipped 3 updates based on that thread alone.

For anyone launching with no audience: PH alone won't save you. The community you build around the launch matters more than the launch itself.

Anyone else find IH more useful than PH for early traction?