Issue 4: How Free Tools Attract the Right Audience
This is the free edition of Launch is Ready, published every two weeks on Wednesdays.
Free tools are one of the most effective ways to build trust, showcase your product’s value, and give people a reason to care about your brand. They solve your audience’s problems without strings attached and make it easy for users to see the potential of your platform. In this issue, we highlight three free tools that are helping companies connect with their audiences meaningfully.
1. Mintlify: Transform Your Documentation Instantly
What It Does:
Mintlify’s Preview Tool takes your existing documentation and transforms it into a polished, interactive format. It’s a quick way to see how your docs would look on Mintlify, making it easy to envision the benefits of migrating.
Why It Works:
Immediate Value: Users get a tangible result in seconds, reinforcing the benefits of Mintlify.
No Learning Curve: No setup, no complexity but just copy, paste, and see the difference.
Subtle Product Demo: The output naturally showcases Mintlify’s clean design and functionality.
What You Can Steal:
If your product improves something people already use, let them preview the difference with minimal effort. A simple "try before you buy" experience can be more persuasive than any sales pitch.
Try it here: Mintlify Preview
2. Pitch: Templates and Insights for Better Presentations
What It Does:
Pitch surveyed 1,000+ professionals to identify what makes a great presentation and turned the findings into free expert resources and templates to help users improve their decks.
Why It Works:
Addresses a Common Struggle: Many people want better presentations but don’t know where to start.
Provides Actionable Help: Users walk away with both insights and ready-to-use templates.
Broad Appeal: You don’t need to use Pitch to benefit from these tools, but they subtly encourage adoption.
What You Can Steal:
Offer tools that solve a specific problem for your audience. Make them relevant, actionable, and easy to use and people will come back for more.
Try it here: Pitch to Win
3. GitGuardian: Check If Your Secrets Are Safe
What It Does:
GitGuardian’s Has My Secret Leaked? tool scans public GitHub repositories to see if sensitive information, like API keys or credentials, has been exposed. It’s free, quick, and doesn’t require a sign-up.
Why It Works:
Solves a High-Stakes Problem: Security leaks can be catastrophic, and this tool provides a fast, clear answer.
Frictionless Access: No accounts or setup required—just paste and scan.
Raises Awareness: It not only solves a problem but also educates users on the risks they may not have considered.
What You Can Steal:
A free tool that addresses an urgent issue earns instant credibility. If your audience has a persistent pain point, offering a quick diagnostic can be a strong way to engage them.
Try it here: Has My Secret Leaked?
My Take on Free Tools
A great free tool solves a specific problem quickly and clearly. It should be useful on its own while naturally leading people to explore more if they need to. The best ones offer immediate value without unnecessary steps or commitments.
If you are thinking of creating one, ask yourself:
What is a recurring challenge my audience faces?
Can I give them a useful result in seconds?
Will this naturally connect to what I offer without feeling forced?
A well-designed tool builds trust and keeps people coming back. What problem would yours solve?