When you first start your business, you’re doing everything alone, so it goes without saying that you have to learn how to launch alone at the very early stages.
But is that really such a bad thing?
You get to learn what to do, how the process works, the tools, and gain a really great understanding of what it takes to launch.
This can be fun for a period of time when you’re getting your feet wet, figuring out what your business is, who you serve, and what ideas get brought to those people. It can be kind of fun even.
So – do you wait until you can hire to launch something?
Is it possible to launch alone?
1. Get Clarity
2. Create a launch plan based in reality
After you have everything you can think of on this list – set some realistic + padded dates to finish those tasks by.
3. Give Yourself Weekly To-Dos
4. Use What Ya Got
5. Unsubscribe + Shut Your Eyes
Before You Make The Decision To Launch Alone
- Am I technical enough to set up all the webpages, payment processors, emails, webinar pages, and any other backend pieces required to launch a product online? (Maybe you’ve got an easy-to-use tool like Leadpages)
- Am I design-savvy enough to know when something looks like crap or perhaps needs a visual and can I do something about it once I’ve noticed it? (like say use Canva.com or Picmonkey.com to make some images/graphics)
- Am I able to get things done without some “boss” telling me what to do? And…can I do that on a consistent basis? Base this on your current and past behaviors running your own business.
- What one potential area of creating all the launch pieces do you feel least able to handle on your own? …and are you willing to find help if you can’t do it to your sense of completion?
- If this is your first launch, do you understand the process of launching and what needs to happen logistically and marketing strategy-wise? (This may be different for everyone…)
Not sure you’re up for the challenge?
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Wow, super helpful. I am launching alone and I know you definitely need to have your ducks in a row so everything is smooth (at least somewhat) for when the launch does happen. I did a smaller launch recently with success but I am gearing up for a larger launch probably early next year so that’s gonna be a good one… thanks for the post, Anne!
Thanks for your comment and I’m curious – What did you find the hardest about the doing the smaller launch on your own? Sounds like you’re already super organized…so maybe you didn’t have any issues!
As part of our launch process we try to record/create content as much in advance as possible. With the beauty of technology, we can schedule it and focus on other things (sometimes just life).
Anne, as always, a brilliant post. Love the way you framed the to do list. I’m going to do it with that frame in my mind’s eye . . . I really like that.
I’m actually looking at re-doing my on-line store front, certainly how the categories are, however, maybe also the look . . . as much happened over the summer, It’s more like a healing centre . . . so if I am going to re-do it or reframe it, i realized the other day… oh boy, that means a launch I wasn’t expecting…
… I have new products a well … my biggest question? How do I introduce the new look (or categories) of the store and the new products… one first before the other, or all at the same time as I trickle it out… How should I be thinking? So I introduce the new look and intertwine the new products in with that, or are they separate? If I separate them, then how? 😉 That’s the percolating question at the moment…. as I prepare to ‘launch alone!”
Yup – doing things in advance is definitely the way to go…I completely agree!
Elizabeth! Let’s chat girl – you know I love this type of question…and I think a good place to start is to imagine you are a visitor to your site. The visuals matter, but I think you can definitely roll things out in stages. Improvements are a sign of growth too and I love it when I see a site that improves different things over time. xo
Thanks, Anne! I’m launching alone as we speak…and I’m LOVING it. Thanks for the affirmation – so many people talk as though you couldn’t possibly do this without an army of contractors and support staff. 😉
Anne 🙂 . . . Yes . . . Let’s chat!!!! Thinking of my store as a visitor…. good common sense and grounded advise as usual . . . The kind I like …. I’m looking forward to chatting!!!! xo !!!!!
Anne, the most helpful point you make is about knowing your intention beyond $ and growing your list. Truly it keeps things in perspective and somehow takes the pressure off.
I attempted to reverse engineer my launch with the calendar and failed miserably. I think it’s because my life can be so unpredictable with kids…you would think after 5 years I would remember that! Ambition and desire get the better of me and I lose sight of what’s practical and possible.
Thank you Anne. So needed this reminder. Big launch coming up. This keeps me grounded. Speak soon.
Brilliant advice, Anne. As someone who prefers working alone, launching can seem daunting. Your tips always help me to stay on course, even if I’m the only one manning this ship. 🙂 Thank you for so generously sharing your wisdom.
I never got a chance to acknowledge your comment Theresa! Thank you for chiming in. You are in inspiration and I go through times where it feels like I’m the only one on the ship too! Ahoyyyy Mateyyyyy!!
Awesome post. I’m in the thick of it now, launching alone, and your article is spot on. Especially the part about putting on blinders.
Biggest challenge – launching and growing my audience simultaneously. Still figuring it out.