You DID IT. You have your perfect brand or website ready to go, and you are so eager to tell the world. Do you just post a screenshot of the new website on Facebook and call it a day? Or, do you prepare a carefully and strategically planned launch? I can tell you from experience, the second gets much better results. You just invested significantly into your new designs, itโs time to put that investment to work! ย After watching many clients struggle to launch on their own, I began offering launch strategy as a service to my branding and website design clients - included in all packages. With this service, I plan and execute a 3 to 10-day launch to announce your brand and website to the world.
Whatโs a launch?
A launch is the way you are going to tell the world about your new brand, new website, or new ANYTHING. Itโs strategic and intentional, and a good launch includes more than just a single post on Instagram.
Who do I Launch to?
- Your social media followers
- Your email list
- Your brick and mortar customers
- Your online groups (on Facebook, Linkedin, etc.)
- Your friends and family
- Your designerโs online following
So, how the heck do you do a launch? Iโm going to walk you through my launch strategy process, so you can do the same for your business!
Day 1 and 2: Pre-Launch:
We all know YOU are excited about your new website and brand, but that doesn't mean other people are. With a launch, you can invite others to celebrate with you. Instead of just popping in with big changes, try teasing your audience that something new and exciting is coming soon. Ask them to interact with you and guess what it is, and invite them into the hype!
Day 3: LAUNCH IT:
I highly recommend using video to announce your new website and brand to the world. Studies show that video generates 1200% more shares than text and images combined. I like to create โlaunch videosโ for my clients that showcase their new brand and website with some fun music. On average, my clients see an increase in over 700% organic engagement on their launch content versus daily posts on social media. Trust me, it works!
Roll all the new stuff out gradually throughout the day, or over the course of 2-3 days. Be sure to utilize ALL your following - donโt just stop after launching to one place.
Day 4 - 7: Keep the hype going!
Now is the time to offer a celebratory discount or host a giveaway of your products or services. This will help you increase followers, get more traffic to your new website, and allow for exposure to more potential customers! Plus, itโs a way to give back to your amazing customers, who letโs be real, are the reason you even did the rebrand!
Day 8 - and on: Get in the game!
Now that the initial hype of your new brand and website is over, itโs time to keep rolling out consistent new content to your customers. Your launch can also be a โlaunching padโ for you to be more consistent with your online communication to your audience! So keep the good stuff flowing on!
4 Results From a Well-Executed Launch:
1. You can create excitement around your business. ย
We all know YOU are excited about your new website and brand, but that doesn't mean other people are. With a launch, you can invite others to celebrate WITH you. By teasing that something new is coming, you create anticipation. Then, upon announcing, you can create excitement. Interesting videos and photos on social media also REALLY help with the excitement!
- You can educate and remind people of what you offer.
If youโre pretty inactive on social media or with your email list, a launch is a great opportunity to get back in the game.
- You can create more sales.
In the long run, a well-designed brand and website, WILL certainly equal more sales. But, to get the balling rolling, consider offering your customers and fans an exclusive giveaway or offer in celebration of your launch!
- ย You can grow your following.
A launch is a perfect opportunity to grow your following! Here are a couple of examples howโฆ
If youโre trying to grow your email list, announce the launch on to your email subscribers first, and tell your other followers to subscribe in order to be the โfirst to knowโ. โSubscribe to my email list to be the first to hear about our big changes this week and to receive an exclusive offer!โ ย
If you know me, then you know I LOVE social media giveaways. I love winning them and I love hosting them for clients. I have seen them be huge game changers for small business owners when executed well. Celebrating a launch could be the perfect opportunity for you to do a giveaway for your products or services.
December 15, 2017
Hey nice post!
I have a question about where you made your video?
I am looking for a simple tool to create simple video for posts or stories?
Any advices?
Hey.. i am just about to launch my own website and i really loved your ideas to announce its launch.. i could use a little more help here.. can you please suggest on how to make these lovely videos that you have done?
That is awesome, friend! Hope your launch is FABULOUS! I am a designer, so I use my design/video programs to make these. It’s a combination of QuickTime (a free screen recording app), Photoshop, and After Effects. ๐ It’s actually a little complicated to make, but I don’t believe you need a fancy video like that to have a super successful launch!
Hi Elizabeth! I have a quick question about giveaways. In your experience, is there a sweet spot for how long a giveaway should be “open” for? How long is too long, how short is too short?
Also, which engagement strategies do you think are most effect? (Tag 1 friend, Tag 3 friends, Like this photo, Follow @name, etc.)
This is so helpful and definitely something I will apply for my upcoming make over for my brand! I really appreciate you sharing this wealth of information and advice!! ๐
Great tips to know! ๐
Great read!
Good info and timeline!