How Aura++ Used Outreach to Get Featured Startups Fast
praneetbrar7
How Aura++ Used Outreach to Get Featured Startups Fast
Getting fresh, high-quality startups to list on your directory is no small feat — especially when you’re just getting started. For Aura++, a growing startup directory focused on showcasing futuristic tools and founders with bold visions, the challenge was real. Like most directories, Aura++ depended on startup submissions to fuel its content strategy, boost SEO, and ultimately grow monetization.
But manual outreach wasn’t scalable, and by the time founders were reached, many had moved on or missed the chance for optimal exposure. That all changed when Aura++ implemented an automated, personalized cold email outreach strategy using NurturingMail. Here’s how the team turned cold outreach into a growth engine — and added value for founders without compromising authenticity.
The Challenge: Scaling Startup Submissions Consistently
Early Struggles With Manual Outreach
The Aura++ team loved promoting startups, but getting submissions felt like pulling teeth. Their early strategy involved:
- Manually scanning Product Hunt daily
- Trying to find founder contact info through LinkedIn and Hunter.io
- Writing one-off outreach emails daily
- Struggling to stand out and get responses amid crowded inboxes
Despite their best efforts, results were inconsistent. Founders either didn’t respond or replied too late. The team needed a way to meaningfully engage with founders — right after launch — and offer value before interest waned.
The Directory Dilemma
Like many other directories looking to boost SEO and visibility, Aura++ aimed to onboard fresh startups frequently. Studies show that regular indexing of new pages can significantly contribute to domain authority and ranking. But without a steady flow of high-quality submissions, the directory stagnated.
This challenge is common among similar directories, whether it’s Uno Directory, which focuses on clean UX and design-centric startups, or new indie hackers launching niche product directories. Cold outreach can be a bottleneck for all.
The Breakthrough: Using NurturingMail for Cold Outreach
Enter NurturingMail
Aura++ discovered NurturingMail, a tool specifically designed for startup directory owners to automate personalized cold email outreach to newly launched startups on Product Hunt. For Aura++, this solved multiple problems at once:
- Automated monitoring of Product Hunt every day
- Daily outreach to founders with personal email touches
- Optimized deliverability through 15–20 min email intervals
- Instant scalability without hiring a team
How the Integration Worked
Once integrated, NurturingMail began running silently in the background. Here’s what the team experienced:
- Daily Launch Feeds: Each morning, fresh launches on Product Hunt were captured and analyzed based on Aura++’s category interest (AI, SaaS, Productivity tools, etc.).
- Custom Email Templates: Personalized, congratulatory templates were filled with each founder’s name and product title. The copy skipped the sales pitch, offering genuine value upfront.
- Inbox Smart Timing: Emails were staggered throughout the day, reducing spam triggers and increasing open rates.
- Submission Tracking: Submissions from founders could be automatically tagged, tracked, and added to the directory with minimal friction.
This hands-off outreach method allowed Aura++ to focus more on content curation, partnerships, and community-building — rather than the drag of chasing startup founders manually.
The Results: 150%+ Submission Growth in 6 Weeks
| Metric | Before NurturingMail | After 6 Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Submissions | 22 | 56 |
| Directory Page Views | 3,200 | 7,800 |
| Submission Conversion Rate | 3.4% | 8.6% |
| Average Time Spent on Directory | 1.2 minutes | 2.7 minutes |
The impact wasn’t just in numbers. Aura++ began to be recognized by founders as a go-to launch amplifier. Many founders even added their listing links to their personal websites and portfolios. Practitioners like Praneet Brar, an indie hacker who documents his tools and growth journeys, noticed the uptick in visibility directories bring when combined with efficient automation strategies.
What Made NurturingMail So Effective?
Key Features That Drove Results
NurturingMail’s suite of simple but effective features helped Aura++ punch above its weight:
- Automated Product Hunt Tracking ensured timely discovery of fresh startups.
- The personalized templates helped build emotional rapport with founders right after launch when their attention was highest.
- Affordable pricing made it accessible for a lean directory like Aura++ — no need to scale up the team or hire extra marketers.
- Emails sent from the directory’s branded email address gave a consistent experience, building trust with every interaction.
Focus on Founder Empathy
Perhaps the biggest differentiator was the tone of outreach. Emails opened with real celebration:
“Hey James — Huge congrats on launching NotionTools today! It looks super crisp. We run Aura++, a directory that highlights sleek, useful tools like yours. Would love to feature your project and give it some extra visibility!”
It wasn’t about selling; it was about connecting. That empathy-first approach made all the difference.
Why Timing Is Crucial in Startup Outreach
Startups are most receptive to exposure offers immediately following launch. That post-launch stage is when founders are actively seeking backlinks, visibility, and ways to amplify their Product Hunt moment. Leveraging this 48-72 hour window with timely emails is what made outreach via NurturingMail so effective.
Other manual systems simply couldn’t move fast enough. By automating and optimizing email intervals (every 15–20 minutes), NurturingMail increased inbox placement dramatically — and helped Aura++ leapfrog more established directories in startup submissions.
Lessons Learned from Aura++’s Outreach Journey
1. Automate to Scale, Personalize to Convert
Personalized cold email works — but it must be scaled smartly. Tools like NurturingMail empower indie founders and solopreneurs to compete with larger ops by automating intelligently without losing humanity.
2. Directory Value Must Be Clear
Even great outreach won’t work if your value isn’t strong. The Aura++ team made sure their pitch included:
- Strong SEO benefits (“Backlink from a newly growing directory”)
- Free exposure on social and newsletters
- Chance to get featured in collections or showcases
3. Tools Are Only as Good as the Process
NurturingMail didn’t just help with tech but encouraged a streamlined outreach workflow. The team regularly reviewed their email copy, A/B tested greetings, and recorded results — making continuous improvements.
Want to Grow Your Directory Like Aura++?
If you’re building or running a niche directory and struggling with outreach, Aura++’s journey is a powerful lesson in working smarter. With tools like NurturingMail, you can cut down on time, reach launch-hungry founders at the perfect moment, and grow without cold-calling hundreds of people manually.
Explore pricing,