Whatever industry their business may be in, all entrepreneurs will agree that attaining growth should be an everyday goal. Now that the market is more saturated than ever, brands should look out for ways to stand out from their competitors. Apart from creating loyalty programs and running innovative marketing campaigns, developing new products is one of the best ways to stay on top.
If you have a product set for release, developing a comprehensive launch plan will be crucial to your success. Product launches are an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand's value. Successfully doing so can pave the way for sales, partnerships, and other exciting ventures. To get you started, this guide will provide useful tips on how to launch a product effectively.
Product Launch 101: 8 Steps for Success
A product launch can be divided into three phases: pre-launch, launch proper, and post-launch. Fortunately, there are tangible steps you can take in each stage to guarantee the success of your release.
Pre-Launch
- Gather a checklist of deliverables and make a timeline
Like in any other project, creating a checklist of deliverables and a timeline will help you structure your efforts. Having a list of your tasks for the product launch is the best way to stay organized and on top of important outputs such as your publicity materials and marketing plans. Moreover, having a timetable will help you determine the tasks that need to be done over a certain period.
A checklist and a clear project timeline will help you delegate tasks effectively and give you a clear picture of your progress. This is the first step of the entire launch process, so you must take your time to study your plans. After all, you'd want your product launch to have a good foundation!
- Determine your buyer personas and their preferred marketing channels
After you've created your checklist and timeline, the next step is to identify your buyer personas. If you're unaware of what a buyer persona is, it's simply a semi-fictional character you create based on your target audience to represent your possible customers.
Creating buyer personas will help you understand your clients' needs, interests, and pain points, which can help you personalize your approach toward them.
Besides knowing the effective way to reach them, having well-established buyer personas will also help you pinpoint where they want to be reached. Your customers may be active users of Facebook and Instagram, so redirecting your marketing efforts to these channels will be the most effective way to tap into them.
- Identify possible influencers you can partner with
In the age of social media, do know that influencers can greatly impact your product launch's success. Celebrities and other personalities that have a massive and solid following can potentially be advocates of your brand, so it will be in your best interest to build a partnership with them. However, you can't just choose any influencer since their online personas may not completely align with your branding.
As you search for possible partners, keep your brand's identity and your customer preferences in mind. This will help you determine which influencers best resonate with your audience, granting you multiple conversion opportunities down the line. Once that's out of the way, you can give samples of your new product and encourage them to share a review during the launch proper!
Launch Proper
- Send promotional offers
One great way to attract customers during the launch is to have promotional offers. Typically, product launches have a build-up before they are released, and having time-sensitive offers is a great way to encourage transactions. Setting special promos such as "buy one, get one free," limited-time discounts, and more can increase product interest and eventually boost sales. - Offer exceptional customer support
Nothing grows a business faster than customer loyalty, so providing your clients with exceptional customer support is one step you shouldn't forget.
In case of product inquiries or sudden malfunctions, having a support team that can effectively address their concerns will lead to a better customer experience. Your products may be innovative, but remember that your customers will be less likely to come back if they had a poor experience with you. Build trust through excellent service!
- Have some freebies
Providing freebies now and then is a great way to engage your audience. Depending on what you're selling, you may want to offer a freebie that complements the product you've launched. For instance, if your business is selling coffee beans, you can partner it up with a mug, coffee making essentials, or even a discount coupon for their next purchase.
Post-Launch
- Follow up and stay proactive
Once the product launch is over, the process does not end there. Following up on what customers have to say about the item and continuously engaging with them shows that you care for their experience. You can ask things about the product, service, what the business can improve on, and any suggestions they may have.
It's best to do this sooner than later, but it's also good to know the best time to contact them to make it easier for them.
- Analyze customer feedback
After following up with your customers, you should carefully evaluate their feedback and see what else you can improve on. Addressing their needs will make your future product launch plans better and possibly give you an idea about the next product you'll develop.
Product Launches Done Right
Whatever product you're trying to sell, having an organized and efficient launch plan will be critical to your success. You should always prioritize what's best for the customers, so keep these steps in mind as you create a product launch plan.
Looking to switch up your business? Apart from developing new products, one great way to foster your brand's growth would be to shift to the digital space. If you're planning to set up an online store, availing our eCommerce services will be your best move yet. Book a demo today to learn more!
