How to Launch Your First AI Product and Reach the Right Audience
Reach the right audience for your AI tool. A top AI directory boosts visibility, connects you with users, and helps your product stand out. Showcase and share your AI today!
You've built an amazing AI product—now, how do you make sure people use it?
With new AI tools launching daily, standing out is tough. But getting noticed doesn’t have to be complicated. When I launched my tool, Somi AI became my secret weapon—a fast-growing directory that puts your product in front of the right audience.
Here’s what worked for me (and how you can nail your first launch too).
What is an AI tools directory?
An AI tools directory is a specialised online platform that organises and categorises a wide range of artificial intelligence tools, apps, and resources into one simple, searchable place. These directories help users browse, compare, and choose AI solutions that meet their needs.
Each listing usually includes useful details — like descriptions, key features, pricing, user ratings, and direct links — so people can quickly figure out which tools will work best for them. This saves time and helps individuals and businesses make smart decisions about what to use.
How to market and launch your AI product
When it comes time to launch your AI product, one of the biggest mistakes I see is thinking that a few social media posts are enough. They aren’t. If you want people to discover your tool, you need a plan that covers multiple channels — places where your target audience already spends time. A good AI product launch isn’t just about making noise; it’s about starting conversations, getting users involved, and building early trust.
You don’t need a huge marketing budget to launch well. What you need is a clear message, an understanding of where your audience hangs out, and a multi-touch approach that keeps reminding people your product exists.
1. Email your list
- Even if your list is small (50–100 people), email works. These are the folks most likely to give early feedback or share with their network.
2. LinkedIn
- Post product updates, share what problems your tool solves, and connect with AI entrepreneurs, marketers, and founders. Join groups or communities focused on AI or your specific industry.
3. Twitter/X
- Use hashtags like #AItools, #AIstartups, or niche hashtags in your space. Post GIFs, demo videos, and success stories from your early users.
4. Reddit
- Find relevant subreddits — such as r/ArtificialIntelligence, r/startups, r/Entrepreneur — and share your tool in a helpful, non-spammy way.
5. Product Hunt
- A great place to launch if your tool is polished and ready for a bigger audience. A Product Hunt listing can drive lots of traffic if timed well.
6. Somi AI directories
- Listing your tool on Somi AI, AITopTools, or There's An AI For That builds awareness over time. Directories work in the background, helping new users discover your product.
7. Press or niche blogs
- If you can write a helpful piece or do a founder interview on a site your audience reads, this helps build trust.
How to prepare your AI tool for launch
A successful AI product launch starts long before you “go live.” The prep work you do ahead of time—knowing your audience, building a lean MVP, and gathering real feedback—can save you months of frustration after launch.
1. Define your audience
Who exactly is your product for? If you can’t answer this clearly, marketing will be an uphill battle.
Too many first-time founders think their tool is “for everyone.” But no product works for everyone. You need to start small — find your niche, win over your first group of users, then expand from there.
To define your audience, answer these questions:
- What problem does your AI tool solve?
- Who cares most about solving that problem?
- What type of person or company benefits most, and why?
- Where does that audience hang out online?
Example:
For my first AI writing tool, I thought it could help “any business that creates content.” That was too broad. After talking to early users, I narrowed it down: solo entrepreneurs, small marketing teams, and agencies serving SMB clients. Once I focused on those users, everything else (my messaging, outreach, pricing) became easier.
2. Build a simple, useful MVP
You don’t need a perfect product to launch — just one that solves a real problem well. Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
I’ve seen too many founders delay launch for months, trying to “add just one more feature.” But the more you wait, the more you risk building things no one needs.
Benefits of launching with an MVP:
- Faster feedback
- Lower development costs
- Easier to test product-market fit
- Let you prioritise the features users want
3. Talk to users & refine
Real user feedback is worth 10x more than assumptions. Don’t wait until launch to gather it.
Ways to get early feedback:
- Run short surveys on your website
- Post questions in AI/startup communities (Reddit, LinkedIn groups)
- Ask beta users to share what they like/don’t like
- Do short 1:1 calls with 3–5 early users (super insightful!)
Good starter questions:
- What do you hope this tool will help you do?
- What’s confusing or missing?
- Would you recommend it — why or why not?
The best products evolve by listening to users. You’ll learn what to improve, what to drop, and what to double down on.
Why AI tools directories help with promotion
AI startups have experienced rapid growth, leading to a proliferation of new tools entering the market. Many of these startups find that traditional advertising channels (such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram) are not effective for reaching their specific niche audiences. This is where AI directories prove valuable.
Consider AI directories akin to flight search websites: instead of broadly advertising, startups can list their tools on platforms where users are actively seeking AI solutions. Furthermore, as this sector is still expanding, these directories offer an affordable and opportune way to gain visibility before the market becomes oversaturated.
Why I chose Somi AI
Somi AI is a fast-growing directory that helps users discover and compare AI tools. It offers updated listings, personalized suggestions, and easy organization features.
Benefits for creators:
- Visibility: Reach the right audience.
- Affordable: Ideal for startups.
- Community-Driven: Connect with early adopters and peers.
Submitting your AI tool is free and simple—great for gaining traction without heavy ad spending.
Listing on Somi AI helped me attract early users, feedback, and traffic cost-effectively. If you're launching an AI product, start building visibility early—it makes a big difference.
Remember, launches evolve with user feedback. Keep improving, and word-of-mouth will drive growth.
Ready to launch? Share your story—I’d love to check out your tool!