• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Anne Samoilov

Business Launch Strategy & Courses For Creative Entrepreneurs

  • Blog
  • Programs
    • The Launch Incubator
    • Fearless Launching
  • Trainings
  • Contact
  • Free

How To Keep Your Next Online Product Launch On Track

Keep Your Product Launch On Track

Do you know what it takes to keep your product launch on track?

Raise your hand if the first thing you think about when you start planning your launch sounds something like this:

“Is there a sales page wordpress theme that I should use?”

“Should I just use Leadpages or maybe sign up for Kajabi?

“What did Marie Forleo use to make her launch videos?”

“How does Hilary Rushford keep track of all the tasks in her business?”

“What is Amy Porterfield using to make her webinars so great?”

If you’re thinking about the tools – you're not going to like my first reaction…

Your launch is not a result of how amazing and fancy your tech or tools are…and if you think they are you're starting in the wrong place first.

But since this IS a launch tools post, I'm going to control myself…

Because the truth is, I really do care about the tools that help me run my business and manage my launches.

When To Choose Your Launch Tools

It is crucial to figure out early in your launch planning process what tools you’ll use for your launch and which ones are right or not for your particular situation.

I generally hate talking about tools when it comes to launching – because truthfully, tools change and it's more about the intent and reason you make those choices that matters.

Getting wrapped up in the idea that somehow they can buy Kajabi, Infusionsoft, Lead Pages, Squarespace, Shopify…SamCart, ThriveCart…whatever cart…or some other tool and have a successful launch is usually a waste of time.

Why? Because none of these tools on their own make a launch or guarantee a successful launch, that people will want to purchase your product, or that you'll have a successful business.

But you do want to think about them and make them work FOR you.

And if you're anything like me – you likely want to know when certain tools or a combinations of tools are actually right for you and your business, will deliver what you want in a way you want it.

You’re still trying to figure out what’s the “best” combination. Even now I still think about whether or not the tools I spend money on every month are “worth” it.

(Hint: that never really ends.)

If you’re curious what tools I use to run my business – check out this post I did awhile back on the best tools to run your online business.

Curious What Tools I Recommend To Help Manage Your Product Launches And Why?

Stick with me for the next few posts where I'm going to bring you up to speed on some of the tool choices I make for running my launches and exactly when you should use the same tools as me.

(I'm updating this post as of 12/16/2019…so these will always be fairly up to date!)

But that’s not all – I’m going to give you a few options for what tools work well together as well as options for when you should use other combinations + solutions.

Let’s get started with the basics.

Here Are The Fantastic Four Tools-slash-Systems You Need Before You Launch:

1. Deliver + Protect Your Product
Delivery includes format and protection: membership area, protected pages, separate website, same domain, pdf, video. Click here to read more about why you deliver your online product does matter.

2. Send Email Communition
Communication includes launch emails, customer emails, newsletters, oh my.  You need a way to manage all the prospects, customers, and subscribers > and be able to communicate with them. What happens when you don't have a way to send emails to your potential customers? Find out.

3. Process Payment & Accept Money
We're in business usually to make money…check out pages, shopping cart software, payment processors, merchant account, Paypal, Square, Stripe.  You must be able to collect money – yes, seems obvious, but there are several choices, so this one can get a little overwhelming.

4. Systems Integrations (making tools talk to each other)

Automation/Connecting Systems includes finding simple workflows to connect all your tools – and as long as you map it out, most of the popular tools do sync/link/work with each other.

Often – this integration piece is the most important of all the ones above.  Your favorite email marketing service may not connect nicely with your payment processor or your course building platform.

Want to make your launch a nightmare? Wait until the end to see if every tool can talk to all the other tools!

And remember – you knowing which tool to use in your next launch can mean the difference between a migraine and a mud bath.  One feels really good and one – well, not at all and never.

In the next post I'll cover the specific tools I use, but right now I want to know which system or systems you need the most help figuring out! Leave your questions, thoughts and tell me what you want to know.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joyce M. Washington says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:53 am

    I think were I get stuck is integration/automation of all the systems so I can’t wait for the followups… tools you can use for each step.

  2. Anne says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:55 am

    I’m with you – the integration can be tough – and it becomes challenging with all the new tools that crop up. Sometimes those cool new toys don’t play well with your current system/tools!

  3. Maggie Patterson says

    July 11, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Thank you Anne. This is exactly what I need right now. My biggest mystery is the whole delivery via Wishlist or something else, and then the integration piece.

  4. annesamoilov says

    July 11, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    oooo – stay tuned! Going into this topic in a very simple way!

  5. Amber says

    July 11, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    You rock, Anne! Thanks for this!

  6. Kim says

    July 12, 2013 at 11:30 am

    I can’t wait. I so needed this 🙂

  7. Joyce M. Washington says

    July 12, 2013 at 11:36 am

    yes, the new tools can throw a monkey wrench into things. especially when the APIs aren’t open.

  8. Liz Lockard says

    July 12, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    Love this topic! 🙂

  9. Susan Hand says

    July 13, 2013 at 5:34 am

    Anne, great topic and I agree with you… It’s joy about the tools, but they certainly do help. When I work with my clients, we talk about how they like to wor first. Such things as how techie they are can make a big difference when it comes to the tools. Thw next topic is the actual workflow, what needs to get done, because this gets to the heart of what another reader said here… Integration and automation.

    In a nutshell, it’s people, process and then tools. Thank you for emphasizing its not tools first.

    Looking forward to your next article in this series. Great topic!

  10. Amanda Sue says

    July 13, 2013 at 10:39 am

    *Rubbing hands gleefully together* I love finding out tools & techie stuff. And I’ll take your word on the mud bath…never experienced on of those. However, I have experienced migraines, and darn near anythings gotta better than that. Yuck.

  11. Jennifer Lyle says

    July 14, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    I’ve been waiting for someone to address this topic. Long overdue byouve already taken some mystery out of it with your 4 buckets. Thank you. Right now my issues are product protection and integration. Most of all, that fun question, how can you know what you don’t know

  12. annesamoilov says

    July 16, 2013 at 6:45 am

    Jennifer, I’ll be talking about what types of product protection I consider for different types of products. Excited to help you out any way I can! -Anne

  13. annesamoilov says

    July 16, 2013 at 6:48 am

    Amanda, I need more mud baths in my life… so I’m doing this series for myself too lol! It’s good to work it all out and then share it with others – I find I’m never the only one who needs it! This is a virtual mud bath lol.

  14. Lyn says

    May 18, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Hi Anne,

    First I want to say Thank You! for what you’re doing here…

    I’ve been preparing MYSELF for several years now (up skilling etc) so I could so what I love and would be happy to do it forever :))

    I’m at the “pointy end” AT LAST – preparing to launch my first free training series to behin my list building in earnest.

    I’ve got some awesome tools – am pretty techie and love all the latest stuff – but!!!!

    I feel frozen suddenly.

    I think I just need a process to follow – for example…

    Do I write my auto responder emails first & set up my mailing list, then go & set up my (LeadPages) opt-in page for my website? There’s more to include but having a list to work through & tick off would be awesome.

    I’m eagerly awaiting your emails but am not sure how long I will need to wait for this kind of info to help me right now.

  15. Anne Samoilov says

    May 21, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    I don’t think I answered you… but here’s what I would do… on your last question.

    Set up your mailing list provider – mailchimp, aweber, get response … if you’re just starting.
    Once you have your mailing list set up, create a webform that you’ll be able to integrate with Leadpages.

    Sorry for the super cliff notes instruction, but wanted to point you in the right direction.

    Email me through the contact form and I will get more detailed for you!

    -Anne

Primary Sidebar

Recommended Resources

  • Online Business Tools
  • Get Launch Ready
  • Case Studies
  • The Fearless Launching Show

 

Popular Articles

  • Assign This To Your Team Today: Create Your Launch Hub
  • 3 Good Business Practices That Could Help You Avoid Launch Trouble
  • Behind The Scenes: Permission To Glow with Kristoffer Carter
  • How to Use Virtual Events as Your Launch Strategy
  • 3 Bonuses You Should Offer During Your Next Launch (Even It’s Your Very First Launch)

Copyright © 2023 Anne Samoilov, LLC

  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with our privacy & cookie policy if you continue to use and hang out on this site! Got it!
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT