Introduction:
Launching your product to the world spent months developing your product, but before you can see whether or not it’s going to be successful, you’ll need to put it out into the world. Launching your product can be daunting, but with the right strategy and execution, you’ll have an easier time getting your product off the ground than you imagined possible. From marketing your product to choosing which features to highlight to setting an appropriate price point, this step-by-step guide on launching a new product will help make sure you have everything in place before you launch your product to the world.
1. Picking the right platform
It’s hard enough marketing your product on its own, but when you throw in all of the social media platforms out there, it can get mind-boggling. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest…the list goes on. But remember that not all products
are right for every platform; consider what your target audience uses and where they congregate before committing to one.
2. Creating your own site vs. using an existing platform
If you want to create your own website and content then there are three main ways you can go about it: 1) launch your site on one of several build-it-yourself platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix; 2) hire someone
who knows how to build sites; 3) outsource it. This can take some time, but if you’re willing to do what it takes then going with #1 or #2 is probably your best bet.
3. Choosing your target audience
The initial stage in planning your product debut is deciding who your target audience is. Once you’ve identified that, it becomes easier to figure out how and where you’ll promote your product, what kind of pricing structure will appeal most to them, and which products will complement yours.
4. Learning from those who came before you
Can you think of other products that had success in their launches? Can you pick apart what worked and what didn’t? If so, how can you apply those ideas to your own product? The more we look at things from different
perspectives, sometimes even ones that don’t seem particularly similar, the more we can learn.
5. Brainstorming your launch strategy
Get together with your team and start outlining your strategies for launching your product. Pick one of three strategies—beta launch, soft launch, or hard launch. Each strategy can be successful depending on what type of
product you’re selling and what industry you’re targeting. Here’s an overview of each strategy…
6. Building up your social media presence
Before you can launch your product, you need to build up your social media presence and gain traction with potential buyers. While Facebook is one of your best bets, it’s also a good idea to diversify your efforts. Post about your product on Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn (if relevant), but don’t neglect Instagram—it has tons of potential for e-commerce businesses. Take advantage of visual platforms by creating short videos that detail every step in how you go about making or sourcing items.
7. Having realistic expectations about your launch
Not every person will adore your item, and that is Completely fine. Even if you’re excited about your product, don’t expect everyone else to feel exactly as you do. It can be disappointing when someone doesn’t share your passion for something (or even worse when they don’t like it), but try not to take it personally.
8. Make sure you have all of the necessary components in place before launch day arrives
It’s almost launching day, but you know you’re not quite ready. If you want you’re launching your product to the world to be successful, it’s important that you make sure every step is accounted for and completed before your big debut. Here are a few of those steps (and some tips for each one) that will help guide you through your preparations so that everything goes as smoothly as possible.
9. Preparing for Launch Day
Prepare your product for launch day by choosing and purchasing your packaging. This will not only be one of your biggest expenses, but also one of your most important decisions. Make sure you have time to plan and
budget so that you can get exactly what you want in terms of cost, style, and material. Most importantly, make sure that your package is both eye-catching and professional; if it doesn’t look trustworthy or credible on store
shelves, consumers won’t buy it.
10. The Launch Day Itself
If you’ve done everything up until now correctly, it should be smooth sailing from here. Before you go out and enjoy your time with your friends and family, make sure all of your bases are covered for launch day itself. This
includes double-checking everything on your checklist (from technology equipment to food supplies) and ensuring that everyone else working on launch day is clear on their responsibilities.
Conclusion:
Most people who launching your product to the world fail because they fail to test and iterate on their customer acquisition strategy, or the conversion process, before actually launching the product. Just because you have a working prototype doesn’t mean you have a winning strategy for bringing in new customers. Don’t wait until you’re ready to launch your product before testing your marketing to identify customers with big potential.
