When it comes to product launch, there is a thin line between fabulous and fatal. Want to be sure you’ll be on the fabulous side? Then go through these 4 steps today to plan your perfect launch!
“If you don’t understand the game that you’re playing and who your opponents are, you don’t have a chance of winning.” – Fred Cary
To understand and prepare everything for a perfect product launch, you need time. Arm yourself with patience. Start taking the steps that will take you exactly where you want to be.
1. Fans are Your Secret Weapon
Before you officially launch your product, you must have people that are ready to buy. People that are excited about your product or app and can’t wait to start using it. This is precisely what we do with the IdeaPros LaunchPad where we have a variety of products. We are cultivating fans with organic and paid advertising. We are driving a lot of traffic to Launchpad to get people interested, motivated, and excited about the fact that these products are going to be available for pre-order soon.
If you don’t have a lot of resources to invest in advertising, then it will simply take you more time. On our blog, you can find a lot of information that will help you build your audience and prepare yourself for the perfect product launch.
If you don’t take this step seriously and you rush to the launch, you are risking your good reputation. Without a good reputation, there is no successful business.
2. The Numbers Can Sneak Up on You
Whatever the costs and the time you have calculated for the launch were – double them. Maybe even triple them, because there WILL be unpredictable obstacles. You want to build in some padding that will give you space to act and prevent the fatal outcome.
Imagine you have already built the audience and they are waiting impatiently to get their hands on it. What if you have issues with the manufacturer and your timelines are pushed out weeks or even months? What if multiple renovations are required to get to the ideal product? If you have some padding built-in, then this unfortunate situation doesn’t turn fatal.
Again your good reputation is at risk. Customers that have a bad experience will undoubtedly share that in the form of a bad review. Your company will end up buried before it even launches. Do your math well and calculate all the variables in the equation.
“Know what you’re going to be able to deliver and when you’re going to be able to deliver it.” – Fred Cary
3. Followers Need Your Time & Attention
Once you know how much time it will take for you to deliver the product to your audience, you can start feeding your followers getting them excited.
Consistent Updates
Little updates are often enough:
- Hey, we did X, Y and Z and are excited to see the product come to life.
- Hey, we’re 60 days from launching!
- Did you see this social media influencer talked about us?
“You have to keep a dialogue going with your target audience.” – Fred Cary
Offers & Discounts
Offer them more discounts if they bring friends and give them a special link only for them. Maybe even offer the first widget for free – whatever it is. Feed the beast and keep them motivated. If you don’t, when you finally launch three, six, or twelve months down the road, they are not going to be there.
YOUR passion
Facebook LIVE videos are a great way for you to PERSONALLY connect with your audience and let them see your love for the product and your drive to solve a problem for them. Remember – people do business with people, not brands.
Create ways to update people on what is going on, stay connected, give them the opportunity to share with other people, stay in touch with them, or add value to what you are bringing to the table. Consider sharing challenges you have overcome to get them inspired and even more curious about your product.
4. Don’t Stop at the Launch – Follow Through
Even after you deliver your awesome product, the relationship with your audience is far from over. Early adopters can become your biggest fans and brand ambassadors.
Once you create one product, it’s very possible you might get addicted to solving problems. In fact, we truly hope that the process is so enjoyable and enlightening that you continue to develop more products to meet the needs of your target market. If you have stayed in touch with your audience, you will have a loyal and interested audience that you already have a great reputation and relationship with..
“You can’t just launch a product. You have to launch a company, you have to launch an experience.” – Fred Cary
The Importance of Having a Team
Being an entrepreneur is fun and it’s rewarding, but it’s also a lot of hard work. It requires a ton of patience and an ability to understand when you can’t do it all yourself. If you feel like you need some help with the research and strategies that will make you successful, please let us know.
IdeaPros is a Super Venture Partner™ who has the resources, experience, and tools to help you succeed at this step or any step in the entrepreneurial journey.
We partner with entrepreneurs at any stage and who are ready to invest in the success of their idea. Apply for an interview and let’s explore partnering together.