Case Study: How Aura++ Grew Directory Submissions 150% in 60 Days
praneetbrar7
Introduction
Growth is the lifeblood of any online directory — especially in an ecosystem as competitive and fast-moving as today’s digital landscape. When Aura++, a rapidly growing AI tool directory, was looking for a scalable way to increase directory submissions and attract high-quality listings, they turned to Nurturing Mails. The results? A stunning 150% increase in directory submissions in just 60 days.
In this detailed case study, we’ll break down exactly how Aura++ achieved this explosive growth using automated outreach, the power of Product Hunt, and strategic use of services like NurturingMail. We’ll also explore the practical steps that other directory owners, indie hackers, and solopreneurs can replicate to achieve similar results.
Background: Who is Aura++?
Aura++ is an AI-powered directory showcasing the best tools, apps, and platforms in the artificial intelligence space. Designed for startups, developers, and enthusiasts, the site helps users discover emerging AI solutions from around the world. Since its inception, Aura++ has aimed to provide curated, high-quality listings that deliver both visibility and value.
The Challenge
Despite strong organic SEO foundations and compelling design, Aura++ was facing a common dilemma for directory owners:
- Manual outreach was time-consuming and unsustainable.
- Quality submissions were sporadic and dependent on luck or inbound traffic.
- Cold emails, when sent, often ended up in spam folders or went unanswered.
- Directory growth plateaued after an initial burst following launch.
To break this plateau and scale up, the team sought a solution that was automated, effective, and tailored specifically for startup outreach. That’s when they discovered NurturingMail.
The Solution: Implementing NurturingMail
NurturingMail offers an automated cold outreach tool specifically designed for directory owners. It leverages real-time data from Product Hunt to identify newly launched startups that are likely to be seeking visibility and backlinks.
Why Aura++ Chose NurturingMail
The Aura++ team selected NurturingMail for several strategic reasons:
- Minimal manual involvement: Complete automation allowed them to focus on curation rather than outreach.
- Highly personalized messaging: Emails sent with congratulatory tone and product-specific personalization.
- Excellent inbox delivery: Automated interval-based sending (every 15–20 mins) ensured high open rates.
- Proven track record: Testimonials and proven results drove the decision to test the platform.
Execution Strategy
With a clear goal of increasing submissions, Aura++ implemented NurturingMail according to these steps:
- Signed up on the Get Started page and integrated their directory email account.
- Customized the outreach copy using high-performing cold email templates focused on visibility and SEO benefits.
- Set the preferred audience to AI product launches on Product Hunt.
- Monitored results passively — no dashboard interaction was needed.
The entire setup took less than 30 minutes, and the first batch of outreach emails was sent the same day.
Sample Email Used
Here’s a lightly edited version of the type of email that was used by NurturingMail on Aura++’s behalf:
“Hey [Founder’s Name],
Congrats on launching [Product Name] on Product Hunt — big milestone!
We’re constantly featuring promising AI tools like yours in the Aura++ directory. It’s a great way for early adopters, devs, and founders to discover your product — while also gaining some SEO juice.
Would love to include you. Submission takes just a minute: [submission link]
All the best & cheers on the launch!
The Results
Within the first 30 days, Aura++ saw submission rates climb by 90%. By the end of 60 days, directory submissions increased by a full 150%.
| Metric | Before NurturingMail | After 60 Days | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Directory Submissions | 95 | 238 | +150% |
| Email Open Rate | 22% | 61% | +177% |
| CTR on Submission Link | 5.2% | 16.7% | +221% |
Qualitative Wins
- Submissions included newly launched products with strong future growth potential.
- Founders appreciated the personalized touch and genuine tone.
- Backlinks from these listings contributed to improved search rankings (Ahrefs showed a +13 DR increase).
- More social shares and mentions, which helped increase branding visibility organically.
Key Takeaways and Lessons
The journey of Aura++ illustrates how leveraging automation smartly can drive serious growth, especially when targeting a well-defined audience like Product Hunt startups. Here’s what directory owners can learn from this:
1. Timing Matters
Product Hunt founders are most receptive right after their launch — that’s when visibility is a top priority. NurturingMail ensures your pitch hits their inbox precisely at that moment.
2. Personalization Scales with Automation
Gone are the days when personalization required manual effort. Aura++ proved this by automating personalized messages that still felt human and engaging.
3. Invest in Quality Listings
Rather than chasing traffic through ads, Aura++ focused on curating top-notch listings — attracting creators who wanted to be part of a valuable platform, not just any directory.
4. SEO Compounds Over Time
With each relevant submission, Aura++ built new content, outbound links, and authority. Over time, this created a snowball effect that improved organic discoverability.
Get Started with NurturingMail
Whether you’re launching a new directory like Uno.Directory, or trying to scale an existing property like Aura++, leveraging a tool like NurturingMail can be a game-changer for smart, inbound-focused growth.
You can view their full pricing, or easily get started if you’re ready to increase your own submission rates without any manual outreach or sales team hires.
Further Insights and Inspirations
Curious to see how other indie founders and creators build lean, SEO-friendly growth systems? Check out Praneet Brar’s blog, which dives deep into systemized growth tactics, directory models, and indiepreneurship best practices. Community wisdom and experience go a long way in competitive niches.
Conclusion
Aura++ didn’t just grow — it grew smart. With strategic automation and laser-focused targeting, the directory bypassed the traditional challenges of cold email, outreach, and inconsistency. If you’re building or scaling a niche directory, take a page out of their playbook: combine clear value with personalization, and let the right tools work for you.
For those who want to ditch manual outreach yet drive quality submissions every single day, look no further than NurturingMail — because growth should be scalable, not a struggle.