How to prepare for your first launch

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Thinking about launching your first online course or group program? You’re not alone. Many coaches and experts just like you are making the move to share their knowledge with the world. But before you jump into it, let’s make sure you have a plan that keeps things smooth and stress-free. Follow this simple, practical guide to set you up for a successful first launch.

1. Set realistic launch goals

To know if your launch is a hit, you’ll need to check the numbers before and after. Setting your launch goals based on real numbers and current stats is the best way to gauge what works and what doesn’t. Get my free Launch Planner & Checklist or create a simple spreadsheet, date it, and then jot down numbers like:

2. Create a launch budget

If you have BIG dreams about how much you’ll sell during your launch, it’s safe to say you’ll be pretty disappointed if your actual numbers don’t match up. Plus, it’s all too easy to go wild and overspend on things like tech and design.

That’s why you MUST do a practical budget for your launch. Turning a profit means getting your sales expectations in check now. Here are the three sets of sales numbers I like to create:

  • breaking even
  • realistic sales projections
  • your dream number

You’ll probably have to play with numbers for sales goals, pricing, and expenses until you find something that sits well with you.

You’ll also want to account for any special items you’ll need to buy, including:

  • any software you might need
  • running ads
  • tech support
  • affiliate commissions if you’re using them

3. Plan out your launch calendar

After you set an official launch date, you’ll need to work backwards to plan out everything on your to-do list. Don’t try to rely on memory alone – if it’s not in your calendar, it’s not going to happen.

Having timelines in place will keep you sane and on track. Here are some key dates you’ll want to include:

  • your launch date and how long your cart will stay open
  • when you’ll write and design your sales page
  • any live webinars you’re hosting with details like landing pages
  • dates for blog posts and social media pushes
  • when to send launch emails
  • ad run times for platforms like Facebook and Instagram

Also make sure to check for any national or international (depending on where you are and where your audience is) holidays or important events that might be happening during your planned launch, and reschedule if necessary.

4. Rally your support team

Want fewer headaches during your launch? Get some backup. That doesn’t mean you need to shell out a fortune for a small army – seek out the support of friends, family, and fans in addition to your existing team (if you have one).

Reach out to 10 people to let them know exactly what you’re doing and why. Next, ask how they can help you during your busy times (even if it simply means being understanding during the chaos). Figuring out who takes care of what now will save you lots of time (and keep your head from exploding).

5. Create a marketing plan

Revisit your launch goals and think about what helped you grow these numbers in the past. Did something work well for your existing products/services? How can you build on this strategy for your launch?

To get organized, check out my blog post on creating a launch content calendar for social media.

While you’re at it, think about things you can add to your marketing mix. You may want to try having 1:1 conversations, online or face-to-face, or personally inviting clients and others who’ve expressed interest in your offering. These old-school strategies are still very powerful for boosting sales!

6. Be ready for surprises

Things won’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. No launch is ever perfect. That’s why you need to leave some extra time in your schedule. From tech issues to affiliate disasters to legal issues, you can’t prepare for all the surprises that may come your way. But having a solid team and extra time to deal with it can make all the difference.

7. Learn from your launch

After it’s all said and done, take a breather and look back at what happened. Look at the numbers and compare them to your goals: number of sales, email list subscribers, social media followers, and website traffic. Note this down in your spreadsheet—it’s the secret ingredient for making your next launch even better.

So, are you prepared for your launch? Use these steps to guide you and approach your first launch with confidence.

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"I'm now able to focus on what I love, coaching and teaching. Thanks to Anouska, I had a smooth course launch!" — Rebecca Tolin

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Course Launch Planner & Checklist

Everything you need to do for a launch – without burning yourself out before enrollment opens

Prepare for your course launch using my free Course Launch Planner & Checklist.

It'll help you create a plan, stop wasting time googling, and avoid missing any of the million moving pieces so you can feel prepared & confident about your launch.