This is the one thing that’s kept me from trying hot composting: seems like a lot of work for a little bit of “black gold.” To be honest, I’m sort of lazy—so I usually get organic matter by appropriately lazy cold-composting methods. I find that well-rotted wood chips are a great mulch and soil builder. Whenever tree trimmers are working nearby, I try to snag a load, which I leave to mellow for a year or two before using. I also save all fall leaves and let them break down over the winter and early spring. They not only serve as a great garden and orchard mulch, but they also continue to compost after application and so build soil over time; they also seem to feed the plants they’re applied to that season—perhaps something to do with the release of humic acid and other substances. Sweet taters absolutely love a thick mulching with rotted leaves!
And though it’s not exactly compost, one rotting thing I’m a firm believer in is comfrey tea. Melons especially seem to respond well to a good drench or two with it. Bonus: it’s dirt cheap, unlike most of the commercial organic liquid fertilizer products. (And your neighbors will looooove its signature bouquet! 
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Edit: Of course, cover cropping/green manuring is another way to simplify composting/soil building!
