You would have to do a “Show HN”, the YC launch (post to the front page) is only for YC startups. You can certainly try and go through the process to do a “Launch HN” - but it would start with applying to YC.

Apart from show vs launch I think following the guidelines and hoping for the best is the norm. Launch HN is nice to get a one-time boost but it doesn’t confer any long-term special treatment on your post afaict.