The Art of the Product Launch:

A Proven Framework To Skyrocket Your Sales

Imagine a marketing strategy that:

  • Stands the test of time. No matter what changes in the marketplace, or what new technology or platforms come along, this marketing strategy will always be relevant and useful.
  • Is relatively inexpensive. Compared to traditional methods, this marketing strategy is very cost-effective.
  • Works like crazy. When executed properly, this marketing strategy can bring in a lot of new business.

What's that? Do you say it's too good to be true? It's not.

The marketing strategy I'm talking about is a product launch.

Today, we'll discuss what a product launch is, why it works, and how you can implement one for your SaaS business.

What Is a Product Launch?

In Hollywood, a product launch is a movie premiere. For tech companies, it's the day that a new product or service is made available to the public. A product launch is also an event. It's a planned, organized effort to generate buzz and excitement around a new product or service.

Product launches have been around for a long time, but they became really popular in the tech industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s. That's when companies like Google, Yahoo, and Amazon started using them to introduce new products to the public.

By building anticipation and excitement before the launch, these companies could generate a lot of buzzes and get people talking about their new products.

Why Do Product Launches Work?

Product launches work for several reasons:

  • They create buzz and excitement.  By generating media attention and getting people talking about your product, you can create a groundswell of interest that will carry your product through its early days.
  • They focus your marketing efforts. By putting all of your energy and resources into a single event, you can create a much more powerful marketing campaign than you could if you spread your efforts out over time.
  • They establish credibility. When you launch a new product, you're putting your reputation on the line. A successful product launch can help you build credibility and trust with your customers.
  • They create a sense of urgency. People are more likely to buy a product if they feel like they need to act fast. A good product launch will create a sense of urgency and make people feel like they need to buy your product right away.
  • They build relationships. A product launch is a great opportunity to connect with potential customers and establish relationships with them. 
  • They generate leads. A good product launch will generate a lot of leads for your business. These leads can be followed up on and converted into customers down the road.

What Are The Different Types of Product Launch?

There are three different types of product launches:
1. The Big Bang Launch
2. The Soft Launch
3. The Pre-Launch

Let’s explore each type in more detail:

1. The Big Bang Launch

The Big Bang launch is the most dramatic type of product launch. It's a high-intensity event that generates a lot of excitement and media attention. Big Bang launches are usually used for high-profile products or services that need a lot of hype to generate interest. They're also used for products that are entering a crowded marketplace and need to make a big splash to stand out.

2. The Soft Launch

The Soft Launch is a more low-key event that's used to introduce new products to a small group of people. Soft launches are often used for products that are not yet ready for a full-scale launch. They're also used for products that don't need a lot of hype to generate interest.

3. The Pre-Launch

The Pre-Launch is a marketing campaign that's used to create excitement and interest around a new product before it's launched. Pre-launches are often used for products that are being released in phases. They're also used for products that need to generate a lot of buzzes before they're launched.

How Can You Choose The Right Launch for Your Brand?

When choosing the right launch for your brand, there are a few things you need to consider:

  1. Your product or service: What are you launching? Is it a new product or service, or an updated version of an existing one?
  2. Your target market: Who are you launching it for? Is your product aimed at consumers, businesses, or both?
  3. Your resources: How much money and time can you invest in your launch?
  4. Your objectives: What are you hoping to achieve with your launch? Are you looking to generate buzz, build relationships, generate leads, or establish credibility?

Once you've answered these questions, you can choose the right launch strategy for your brand.

How Do You Plan a Product Launch?

A product launch is a complex event that requires a lot of planning and coordination. Here's a basic overview of how to plan a product launch:

1. Set Your Objectives

Before you start planning your launch, you need to know what you want to achieve with it. Do you want to generate buzz, build relationships, generate leads, or establish credibility? 

Your objective will dictate the product launch you use and the marketing campaign you create.

For example, if you're looking to generate buzz, you'll need a high-intensity launch with a lot of excitement and media attention. If you're trying to build relationships, you'll need a more low-key event to introduce your product to a small group of people.
The bottom line is to make sure your objectives are clear before you start planning your launch.

2. Choose Your Audience

Who are you launching your product or service for? 

This will determine who you target with your marketing campaign.

Are you launching a new product for consumers, businesses, or both? Are you targeting a specific demographic or psychographic? 

Your target market will also dictate the product launch you use. For example, if you're launching a new product for businesses, you'll need a different launch strategy than if you're launching a product for consumers.

Your audience will also set the tone  for your marketing campaign. If you're targeting businesses, you'll need to create a more serious and professional campaign than if you're targeting consumers.

3. Select Your Launch Date

When will you launch your product or service? The answer to this question will determine the timeline for your entire launch. 

You need to give yourself enough time to plan and execute your launch. But you also don't want to launch too early and risk your product being overshadowed by other news. 

The ideal launch date depends on your product, your target market, and your resources. You'll need to do some research to find the right date for your product.

A rule of thumb  is to start planning your launch 3-6 months in advance. This will give you enough time to plan and execute a successful launch.

Depending  on your product and launch strategy, you may need more or less time. For example, if you're launching a new version of an existing product, you may only need 2-3 months to plan your launch. But if you're launching a new product, you might need 4-6 months.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to how much time you need to execute your launch strategy effectively.

4. Choose Your Launch Strategy

Now that you know your objectives and target audience, you can choose the right launch strategy for your product.

There are five main types of product launch strategies:

  • Sneak preview: A sneak preview is a soft launch that allows you to test your product with a small group of users before making it available to the general public. 
  • Beta launch: A beta launch is a soft launch that allows you to test your product with a larger group of users. This is usually done with a limited release of your product. 
  • Full launch: A full launch is when you release your product to the general public. 
  • Product update: A product update is when you upgrade an existing product. This could be a new version of your product, or a new feature. 
  • Re-launch: A re-launch is when you relaunch a product that has failed in the past. The idea is to try a different launch strategy and see if it works better.

5. Create Your Marketing Campaign

Now that you know your objectives, target market, and launch strategy, you can start creating your marketing campaign. 

Your marketing campaign should be focused on generating buzz and excitement for your product. You'll need to create a strong public relations and marketing strategy to get people talking about your product. 

You should also focus on creating content that will appeal to your target market. This could include blog posts, infographics, videos, or even podcasts. 

Some practical ideas include:

  • Leverage curiosity: When you're launching a new product, it's important to create curiosity and excitement among your target market. You can do this by releasing teaser videos or blog posts that hint at what's to come.
  • Generate word-of-mouth: Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have. You can generate word-of-mouth by creating content that's shareable and by providing an incentive for people to share your product.
  • Focus on the benefits: When you're creating content for your marketing campaign, focus on the benefits of your product rather than the features. People are more likely to be interested in what your product can do for them, rather than what it is.
  • Use social media: Social media is a powerful tool for marketing your product. You can use social media to create buzz about your product, generate leads, and even close sales.
  • Build a waitlist: A waitlist is a great way to generate interest in your product. You can create a waitlist on your website or on a third-party site like Launchrock.

6. Execute Your Launch

Once you've created your marketing campaign, it's time to execute your launch. This is where the rubber meets the road, and you'll need to be prepared to put in the work. 

Your launch will likely involve a lot of different moving parts, so it's important to be organized and have a plan. 

Some things you'll need to do include:

  • Create landing pages: Landing pages are a great way to generate leads and convert them into customers. You can create landing pages for your product, or even for specific features of your product.
  • Generate press coverage: Press coverage is essential for a successful launch. You'll need to reach out to reporters and bloggers in your industry and pitch them your story.
  • Run a contest: A contest is a great way to generate interest in your product and attract new customers. You can give away prizes or discounts to the people who participate in your contest.
  • Launch a social media campaign: Paid media can be a great way to launch your product. You can use social media ads to generate awareness for your product and drive traffic to your landing pages.

7. Monitor Your Progress

After you've launched your product, it's important to monitor your progress and see how you're doing. This will help you determine whether your launch was successful. 

You should track things like website traffic, conversion rates, and sales. If you're not seeing the results you want, you may need to make some changes to your marketing campaign. 

For example,  if you're not getting the amount of website traffic you want, you may need to invest in paid advertising. 

If you're not seeing the conversion rates you want, you may need to create more compelling content or offer a better incentive for people to buy your product. 

The point is, you should constantly be monitoring your progress and making changes as needed. 

Testing and  tweaking your marketing campaign is essential for a successful product launch.

Now Get Out There and Launch Your Product Like a Pro

There's a lot that goes into a successful product launch. From creating awareness to generating leads, you need to have a plan and execute it flawlessly. 

By following the tips in this article, you'll be well on your way to launching your product successfully.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Featured Articles

Some people define insanity as “doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.” Sadly,  this is how many SaaS brands operate. ….read more

Numbers don't lie. As a SaaS owner, you are always looking at the numbers to make decisions. Two of the most important numbers ….read more

Executive Navigation™

The core way we help B2B SaaS leaders progress and achieve their goals.

Executive Navigation™ is based on experience, not just theory. It is successful entrepreneurs helping growing entrepreneurs scale their business from $1M – $10M+ in revenue.

Executive Navigation™ is designed to accelerate growth by flattening the learning curve. Want to learn more?