Online Launch Process Step 7 - Launch Countdown

This is part of the series that is designed to complement the free download

Online Business Launch Strategy (21 step Process, Tech and Launch infographic).

If you don't have that yet, go to the download page to get it now before reading this post.

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5-4-3-2-1-Go!

Wouldn't it be awesome to have all you ducks lined up and pull the trigger on your launch?

Well, it can happen if you create a Launch Countdown.

This is step 7 in the Online Business Launch process.

In step 1, you crushed the Big Picture

In step 2, you got to know your avatar better than you best friend

In step 3, you created your first funnel and began giving value to your avatar

In step 4, you worked out how to drive traffic to your funnel

In step 5, you mapped out your avatar's journey,

In step 6, planning your paid solution to your avatar's big problem, and

now in step 7, you are going to start counting down to your launch.

Process Step 7 - Launch Countdown

First things first is to decide how far out you should plan your launch.

There is no one answer, but I suggest you decide this based on:

1. The size of your list - specifically the number of engaged people on your email list
2. How completely you have done the previous 6 steps
3. Your goals for your launch
4. A combination of your experience and mindset,
5. Complexity and price of your offer and
6. The amount of support you have or plan to bring in to help you.

The first question you're probably asking is this ...

How Far Out Should I Plan My Launch?

That's a great question, and not an easy one to answer.

In my experience, a launch can be planned for as little as two weeks out, but most people like to have 3 or so months for a launch.  A-listers who do 7+ figure launches plan their launch 12 months in advance.

If you're starting out, and you have the first 5 steps worked out and traffic is coming into your list on a regular basis, then decide how many people you want to have on your list at launch.

If you have 10 people per day joining your list, and you want a list of 500 to launch with, then it doesn't take much to work out you'll need at least 50 days.  2 months might be about right in that case.

Sadly I can't give you a definite answer ... it just depends.

What is In A Launch Countdown?

It is a plan for your launch, working backwards from your goals to today, outlining the major goals you need to hit along the way to stay on track to your launch.

Its about now that I need to step in and mention a caveat.

If you have the Online Business Launch Infographic that outlines 7 Process Steps, 7 Tech Steps and 7 Launch steps, then you'll know that we haven't even begun to get to the technology yet or the detail of your launch proper. So you won't be able to complete you Launch Countdown just yet.

That's OK. Don't sweat it.

At this point, we can keep it general, form an outline, and refine it later.

What Should I Use To Plan My Launch?

Each person has the tools they like to use for planning and staying organised.  Some like Trello, some like Pages or Word, some like the old fashioned paper and pen.

Personally, I use a spreadsheet.

And it's the launch planner that my Launch Squad members also use to plan out each part of their launch.

The reasons I use a spreadsheet is because:

• I can separate parts of a launch into tab. For example, a tab for each of contents page, launch calendar, budget, the big picture, goals, avatar, landing pages, lead magnets, traffic strategy, JVs, email sequences, product & offers, pre-prelaunch, prelaunch, open cart, metrics, tech, testimonials, challenges, and launch debrief.
• I can use VBA to create things like launch calendars
• I can embed docs within it, so I can have all my emails stored and organised in the spreadsheet as embedded docs
• Excel is 35 years old, so while it's not trendy, it can be used on every platform.

 One thing that needs singling out is this.

What Are Your Goals For Your Launch?

Having goals are important because they set correct expectations and keep you from procrastinating and staying on track.  A lot of others talk about good goal setting, so I won't add to the vast array of info in this space other than to say:

• Have stretchy but realistic expectations.  So don't shoot far to high at a goal that you can never hit.  I wouldn't aim for $100k on your first launch.  Aim for $10k or $20k and build from there.
• Don't have too many major goals. Too many goals causes conflict between them.  I suggest you keep it to less than 4.  So, for example:
  • To get my online course launched on time and on budget (and write down those dates and figures)
  • To make $10k in sales (which is X clients at $Y each)
  • To increase my list by 2,500 people
  • To get 10 great testimonials and 2 case studies that I can use in my next launch
• Each week, translate these major goals into intermediate goals and ultimately a daily action plan.  That way, you know what you have to do each day to move you closure to your major goals.
• Get a plan together (including help) for staying on point mentally and emotionally.  Accept now that you can't make it alone, and find help to support you through the internal and external obstacles that will come your way.

Author:

Hi, I'm Guy Mullon.  I've been creating, building, mentoring, coaching and consulting online for many years.  But I spent too many of those spinning wheels and chasing rabbits, that never produced the results that those leads promised.  I've put this series together to help you cut through the noise and see the process step by step to building your online masterpiece, and getting to your first sale and growing from there. The Online Launch Strategy Info-graphic gives you the overview, and Kajabi makes it all possible in one place.  If you aren't using Kajabi yet, why not get a free trial and get started today.

P.S. a free Kajabi trial through us gets you USD$500 in bonuses included to speed your progress and stop overwhelm.