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SKILL.md
npx skills add kostja94/marketing-skills --skill directory-submission
When the user wants to submit a product or app to directories, curated lists, launch platforms, or app stores—and needs ready-to-paste copy per platform. Reads project-context.md when present. Also use when the user mentions "directory submission," "get listed," "app store listing," "submit to directories," "curated list," "best tools list," "Taaft," "Product Hunt," "directory ads," "newsletter feature," "directory campaign," "tailor description per platform," "Shopify App Store," "Chrome Web Store," "navigation site," or "product directory." For Product Hunt launch day tactics (hunter, first comment, timing), use product-hunt-launch. For full 0→1 channel planning, use cold-start-strategy.
npx skills add kostja94/marketing-skills --skill directory-submission
Guides submitting products, tools, or apps to directories and launch platforms.
On each invocation: On first use in the conversation, output the complete response (Introduction, Importance, Methods, Collaboration Channels, Rules, Avoid, Action). On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip (e.g., "just do it", "skip intro", "I already know"), go directly to Action.
Directory submission is a core channel for cold start—see cold-start-strategy for full launch planning. Directories offer more than listings: free/paid listings, ad placements, newsletter features, social promotion, and marketing campaigns. Platform types: AI tools (e.g. Taaft), product launch (e.g. Product Hunt), review platforms (e.g. G2), app stores, niche directories.
Platform examples are illustrative only. No affiliation, partnership, or endorsement implied.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Backlinks | Quality directories pass link equity; improve domain authority and rankings. Focus on high-authority directories (DA 50+); avoid low-quality link farms. |
| Real traffic & conversion | Referral traffic from directories converts. ~42% of businesses report increased referral traffic after submission; referral conversion ~1.8% (B2C), 1.1% (B2B), 1.3% (SaaS). Use UTM to track; proper attribution can improve measured conversion by ~23%. |
| Social proof for brand search | When users search your brand name, directory listings (e.g. Product Hunt, G2, Taaft) often dominate SERP. Third-party presence signals legitimacy; consumers check 5-7 sources before deciding. Verified badges and consistent NAP across directories boost trust. See serp-features for SERP feature types. |
Quality over quantity. Mass submission to hundreds of low-quality directories can harm rankings; strategic placement in 10-15 high-quality directories typically yields 15-25% improvement in indexing speed and branded search visibility.
| Practice | Why |
|---|---|
| Prioritize DA/DR 50+ | High-authority directories pass link equity; low-quality link farms risk penalties |
| Editorial review preferred | Human-curated directories (vs. automated) carry more weight; Google's Helpful Content Update favors editorially-curated listings |
| Niche over generic | Industry-specific directories deliver faster results (30-60 days) and better topical relevance than generic sites (60-120 days) |
| NAP consistency | Name, Address, Phone identical across all listings--critical for local SEO |
| Track submissions | Document where you submitted, approval status, canonical topics |
Budget reference: Small businesses $300-500/mo; enterprises $1,500-3,000/mo for comprehensive programs. Results typically 30-60 days from high-authority directories.
Read project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, read it. Use sections 1-4, 5, 6, 8, 9 to generate submission content directly--no need to ask the user for info already in the context.
| Context section | Maps to directory fields |
|---|---|
| 1. Product Overview | Name, one-line, category, pricing model |
| 2. Positioning Statement | Tagline, long description |
| 3. Value Proposition | Key messages, proof points -> Pros |
| 4. Target Audience | Description tone, use cases |
| 5. Existing Website | URL, key pages |
| 6. Keywords | Tags, negative keywords, Primary Task |
| 8. Brand & Voice | Tone, avoid terms, preferred wording — see branding for full brand strategy |
| 9. Product Documentation | Features, capabilities -> Other features |
When context exists: Generate ready-to-paste submission copy (tagline, short/long description, pros/cons, tags) tailored per platform. Output copy the user can paste into Taaft, Product Hunt, etc.
When context is missing: Gather from user's site; search the web for pricing, features, competitors, reviews, and any gaps. Then generate.
Identify:
Source: Project context (preferred) or user's site. Each directory needs different fields; prepare a base set, then adapt per platform.
| Field | Typical Spec | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Product name | 60-80 chars | Consistent spelling across all listings |
| URL | Working product/landing page | No redirect chains |
| Tagline / one-liner | <=60 chars (Taaft: max 12 words) | Catchy, benefit-focused |
| Short description | 150-300 chars | Used by many directories |
| Long description | 400-600 chars | For platforms that allow more |
| Category / Task | Platform-specific | Match taxonomy (Taaft: Primary + Secondary Tasks) |
| Keywords / Tags | 5-10 terms, comma-separated | Natural, no stuffing |
| Contact | Email, optional NAP | For verification |
| Company name | Legal entity | Some directories require |
| Promo code | If applicable | Product Hunt, deal platforms |
| Other URLs | Blog, Affiliate Program, FAQ | Optional but useful |
| API availability | Yes/No | AI/SaaS directories |
| Demo video | URL or file | Many platforms support |
Platform-specific: Taaft requires many more fields (icon, main image, demo video, features, models, built-with tools, modalities, pricing, legal URLs, pros/cons, socials, tracking links)--see Taaft section.
Create multiple versions so you can match each directory's format without rewriting from scratch:
Even if a directory form does not require it, build a full reference so you can tailor per platform and for SEO/GEO. Search the web when info is missing.
| Section | Content | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | What the product is; category; one-sentence positioning | Intro text, GEO-friendly summaries |
| Importance | Why it matters for the target audience; key differentiator | Long descriptions, first comments |
| Features | Core capabilities; technical specs; integrations | Taaft, G2, comparison sites |
| Use cases | Who uses it; workflows; outcomes | Taaft tasks, niche directories |
| Solutions | Problems solved; before/after | Product Hunt, curated lists |
| Competitors | Alternatives (e.g. Competitor A, B); how this differs | Comparison sites, G2 |
| Pricing | Plans, credits, free tier | G2, Capterra, budget-focused lists |
| Rules / Avoid | What to emphasize; what to avoid per platform | Quality control |
Do not submit identical copy to every directory. Duplicate content hurts SEO and reduces GEO citation diversity. Generate at least 2-3 distinct versions per field (tagline, short, long) so:
| Version | Angle | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| A | Feature-led (capabilities, specs) | Taaft, technical directories |
| B | Benefit-led (outcomes, use cases) | Product Hunt, creator-focused |
| C | Comparison-led (vs. competitors) | AlternativeTo, G2 alternatives |
| D | Audience-led (who, workflow) | Niche directories, vertical lists |
Do not copy-paste identical descriptions. Each directory has a different audience and format; customizing per platform improves approval, visibility, and conversion.
| Platform Type | Audience | Emphasis | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Hunt | Indie makers, founders, early adopters | See product-hunt-launch for full workflow | Community, authentic, maker-friendly |
| Taaft | AI tool seekers, task/job-oriented | Tasks and jobs your tool solves; keyword-rich for AI use cases; "what can I do with this" | Functional, searchable, use-case driven |
| G2 / Capterra | Enterprise buyers, comparison shoppers | Features, integrations, pricing; review-oriented; social proof | Professional, comparison-ready |
| AlternativeTo | Users switching from competitors | "Alternative to X"; migration ease; differentiation | Comparison, migration, alternatives |
| Niche directories | Vertical (e.g., e-commerce, healthcare) | Industry keywords; vertical pain points; compliance if relevant | Vertical-specific, jargon-appropriate |
| App stores (Shopify, Chrome) | Merchants / extension users | Merchant value (Shopify); use case (Chrome); screenshots show workflow | Benefit-first, feature-clear |
While tailoring, keep consistent across all listings:
Inconsistent NAP or product names can hurt SEO and trust.
Directories typically offer multiple touchpoints--not just inclusion in the catalog:
| Offering | Description | Use When |
|---|---|---|
| Listing | Free or paid inclusion in directory catalog | Baseline visibility, backlinks, evergreen traffic |
| Ad placements | Sponsored slots, banners, featured placement | Need boosted visibility; budget for paid promotion |
| Newsletter | Featured in directory's email to subscribers | Product Hunt, Taaft; high-intent audience |
| Social promotion | Directory shares your product on X, LinkedIn, etc. | Launch day amplification; viral potential |
| Marketing campaigns | Bundled packages: listing + newsletter + ads + social | Full-funnel campaign; product launch or relaunch |
Strategy: Start with free listing for backlinks and baseline traffic. Layer paid options (ads, newsletter features, campaigns) when ROI justifies--especially for launches or when organic listing underperforms.
dofollow vs nofollow: dofollow passes link equity for SEO; nofollow does not. But the goal is conversion--if users click through and convert, the shorter path (direct traffic) can outweigh SEO benefit. Small, unknown directories have driven three-figure annual subscriptions from a single 10-minute submission.
Include this section in output when the user invokes this skill. Directories offer follow-on collaboration beyond listing:
| Channel | Platform Examples | Scale / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter | Product Hunt, Taaft | High-intent; paid or bundled; best for launches |
| Ad placements | Taaft banners, Product Hunt Featured, G2/Capterra sponsored | Use UTM (e.g. utm_medium=paid); test after organic listing. See directory-listing-ads for Taaft, Shopify App Store, G2, Capterra paid campaign setup |
| Social promotion | Taaft, Product Hunt share on X, LinkedIn | Launch-day amplification; @ platform accounts when posting |
| Marketing campaigns | Taaft: listing + newsletter + ads + social | Full-funnel; product launch or relaunch; budget-dependent |
Phased approach: (1) Free listing first. (2) Newsletter features when launching. (3) Ads if organic underperforms. (4) Campaign packages for major launches.
Budget reference: Small teams $0-500/mo (listing + occasional newsletter); growth $300-500/mo; enterprise $1,500-3,000+/mo for full programs.
| Type | Examples | Best For | Traffic / Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI tools | Taaft (There's An AI For That) | AI products, SaaS | 4M+ monthly visitors; 700-10K+ visitors per listing |
| Developer tools | DevHunt | OSS, dev tools, APIs | Dev-focused; GitHub-verified; free; see open-source-strategy |
| Product launch | Product Hunt | New products, features | See product-hunt-launch for full PH workflow |
| App stores | Shopify App Store, Chrome Web Store | Apps, extensions | Merchant/developer discovery |
| Niche directories | Industry-specific lists | Vertical SaaS, tools | Targeted backlinks, SEO |
| Review platforms | G2, Capterra | B2B SaaS, commercial software | Rich snippets (reviews, ratings); higher-intent buyers; vendor verification required |
| Curated lists | Best-of roundups, Awesome lists, niche blog posts | Any product | Editorial backlinks; outreach to list authors; same prep as directories |
Dimension diversity: Your product has multiple dimensions--AI tool, productivity tool, SaaS, industry-specific. After AI directories, submit to vertical niches (e.g., e-commerce tools, marketing tools, cross-border commerce tools). Smaller traffic but higher intent and conversion.
Feature vs solution directories: Feature directories (text, image, video, audio by modality) suit AI enthusiasts who compare tools. Solution directories (workflow-oriented: SEO tools, EDM marketing, TikTok analytics) suit users seeking 10x productivity in a workflow--often higher conversion for B2B.
Same principles as directories--backlinks, traffic, discovery. Curated lists are editorial roundups (e.g., "Best AI tools 2025," "Top 10 SaaS for marketing") published on blogs, newsletters, or dedicated list sites.
| Type | Examples | How to get listed |
|---|---|---|
| Best-of / Top N | "Best SEO tools," "Top 10 AI writing tools" | Outreach to list authors; provide product info, use case, differentiator |
| Awesome lists | GitHub Awesome-*, Awesome Tools | Submit PR or contact maintainer; follow list format. See github for creating or optimizing awesome-style curated lists. |
| Comparison / alternatives | AlternativeTo, G2 alternatives | Submit as alternative to X; comparison-focused copy |
| Niche roundups | Industry blogs, newsletters | Pitch for inclusion; offer quote, case study, or exclusive angle |
Preparation: Same as directory submission--product info, tagline, short/long description, screenshots. Tailor pitch to list theme (e.g., "best for startups," "budget-friendly," "enterprise-ready").
Tip: One solid backlink from a curated list often beats many low-quality directory links. Prioritize lists with editorial oversight and real traffic.
Taaft submission fields (prepare before submitting; changes can take up to 24h to reflect):
| Category | Field | Spec / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Name | Product/tool name |
| Primary Task | Search and select from Taaft task taxonomy (e.g., Text to speech, Image generation) | |
| Secondary Tasks | Search and add; subject to approval, processed daily | |
| Tagline | Max 12 words; benefit-focused | |
| Description | Full product description; use-case driven, keyword-rich | |
| Country | Select from list | |
| Media | Icon | SVG preferred; PNG/JPEG/WEBP <=500x500 px |
| Main image | Product screenshot or hero visual | |
| Demo video | Optional; no captions (Taaft auto-generates for all languages) | |
| Features | Supported features | Check: Agents, API, MCP, Run locally, Open source, No signup, Supports TAAFT code |
| Other features | Ordered list by importance; add keywords (e.g., ai voice, text to voice, voice cloning) | |
| Tech | Search models | Add AI models used (e.g., GPT-4, Claude) |
| Built with | Select from platform options (e.g. Cursor, Lovable, v0.dev) | |
| Modalities | Supported Inputs/Outputs: Text, Image, Audio, Video, 3D, API, Code, etc. | |
| Pricing | Pricing model | Freemium, Free trial, Paid, etc. |
| Paid starting price (USD) | If paid | |
| Billing frequency | Monthly, Yearly, etc. | |
| Hard paywall | Does tool show paywall before letting users try? | |
| Legal | Refund Policy | No Refunds / Custom text |
| Refund Policy URL | Optional | |
| Privacy Policy URL | Required | |
| Terms & Conditions URL | Required | |
| Discovery | Tags | Comma-separated; use for search and filtering |
| Negative keywords | Comma-separated; exclude from irrelevant searches | |
| Tracking | Tracking link | Custom UTM (default: ?ref=taaft&utm_source=taaft&utm_medium=referral) |
| PPC tracking link | For PPC ads (default: ?ref=taaft_feat&utm_source=taaft_feat&utm_medium=referral) | |
| Socials | Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Telegram, Discord, X, YouTube, LinkedIn | URLs |
| Pros / Cons | Pros | Add multiple; feature and benefit bullets |
| Cons | Add multiple; honest limitations (builds trust) |
Tip: Pros and cons help users compare; be honest--negative keywords and cons improve relevance and trust.
See product-hunt-launch for full preparation, launch day strategy, and post-launch. Product Hunt: producthunt.com/launch; free listing; community upvotes; Product Hunt Daily newsletter; paid featured placement. Use when launching new product or major feature.
Before submitting to any directory:
| Practice | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Gather product info first | Extract from user's site; prepare asset tiers before submitting |
| Tailor per platform | Different expression/emphasis per directory; no copy-paste identical text |
| Prioritize quality | Rejected or low-quality listings waste effort |
| Match category | Wrong category = poor visibility |
| Unique descriptions | Avoid duplicate content; improves approval and conversion |
| Track with UTM | analytics-tracking for attribution |
| Batch submissions | Prepare once, adapt copy per platform, submit to multiple directories |
| Update listings | Keep descriptions and screenshots current |
| Submit small directories too | Major directories get crawled by smaller ones; but small directories can still drive high-value conversions (e.g., three-figure annual subscription from one 10-min submission) |
On each invocation: On first use, output the complete response (Introduction, Importance, Methods, Collaboration Channels, Rules, Avoid, Action). On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to Action. Search the web for missing product info.
Introduction --What directory submission is: Taaft, Product Hunt, G2, curated lists, app stores; listings, ads, newsletter features, campaigns. Part of cold-start strategy—see cold-start-strategy for full launch plan.
Importance --Why directory submission matters: backlinks and domain authority; referral traffic and conversion (~42% report increased traffic); social proof for brand search (directory listings dominate SERP); third-party presence signals legitimacy.
Methods --How to submit:
Collaboration Channels (Beyond Listing) --Newsletter, ads, social, campaigns. Include:
Rules --Tailor per platform; different expression per directory; multiple versions (A/B/C/D) to avoid duplicate content (SEO/GEO friendly); match category; prepare asset tiers (one-liner, short, long).
Avoid --Copy-paste identical copy across directories; generic descriptions; missing legal URLs; wrong category; low-quality link farms.
Action --Ready-to-paste submission content for the user's product:
Manual: Prepare info once; submit to directories in priority order. Major directories first--smaller ones often crawl or republish.
Outsourced: Freelance platforms; use when budget allows and speed matters.
.cursor/project-context.md or .claude/project-context.md): Read when present; use to generate submission content directly. Template: templates/project-context.md in this repo.