Planning a project? Developing a new program? Starting a business?

If you are in production online or offline – preparing yourself for the delivery, release or launch of absolutely any type of project… heed my 10 golden rules listed below.

These guidelines have served me well planning projects in many different industries like film, videogame development, pilates studio development and now in online business.

1. Be clear what you are offering.
2. Know who your audience is.
3. Get help.
4. Stick to a schedule.
5. Deliver what you promised.
6. Don’t switch software or any systems mid-launch.
7. Make sure your team is going to see through the launch.
8. Have back up plans – ALL OVER THE HIZZY.
9. Be ready to (and OK with) CHANGE anything that’s not working for ANY reason.
10. Do it often and don’t be afraid to LAUNCH WITHOUT SELLING A THING.

Want to know more? Sign up here to for my FREE webinar TOMORROW, Friday February 20th. Sign up even if you can’t make the live class! I will send out the replay to people signed up!

Have questions right now or launching and you need some quick feedback?  Contact me to see if I can help you!

Tell me if this sounds familiar: You have a great idea for a project and you start creating it.

When you’re almost finished, you start talking about it on social media to warm people up to what you are creating.

Then you manage to get a sales page up on your website or a blog post and a link to buy it, but then no one comes.

No one clicks the link….

2 weeks go by and you sit quietly waiting for the first sale.

Then something hits you and you decide to go in and start double checking everything.

You realize your link wasn’t working, you forgot to make the post live, the page is hidden from the search engine robots, and you’ve received a ton of questions about it through your contact form (but JUST found the contact form and some of the inquiries are a month old!).

And worse! Your broadcasts in Aweber never got CUED!

Hopefully there is something working, but let’s say for the sake of example that it’s not!

Some of your friends even ask you – hey so how’s that thing your creating going – almost like they don’t know you even launched it! WHAT!!!

TOTAL NIGHTMARE, right?

If you’re planning your next launch – your first or you’ve done them before – then you know you need to be absolutely certain your ducks are all lined up and ready to go long before the day the world gets to find out about your genius and become customers!

Here are the 5 crucial, bottom line, you better have these in place systems to make sure your launch is ready to handle all the moving pieces!

Emails

Use a mindmap or simple notepad to figure out what emails you want to send before, during, after the launch.

Go through the entire launch from the pre-announcement to the cart closing and even customer emails.

First – plot out the emails you’ll write using the subject and basic focus of the email. Make sure there’s 1 action you want people to take in every single email.

Second – plot when the emails go out – are they auto-responders or broadcasts sent at a specific time.

Third – Start google docs for each phase of the launch and write all your emails out, note who the email goes to – and include even the emails you might resend to people who don’t open your first email.

For more in depth training on email marketing, check out Tara Gentile’s Email Marketing Kickstart or check out CopyBlogger’s Email Marketing 101!

Schedule

You need a master schedule which includes everything from content and email creation to any technical set up you need.

From website to webinars to facebook comments to when your cart opens and closes, when the first day of “class” is…

You need to have a clearly laid out schedule, so you and anyone who joins your team understands what’s happening and when.

In addition to this big master schedule – it’s also a good idea to have more in depth delivery and completion schedules for each person on the team or for specific work.

Make sure the person loading your emails into Aweber knows when those will be finished so they can load them – and then make sure they know THEIR own deadline too!

There are lots of pieces to a schedule – and I can’t go into them all here. I’ll be diving in much deeper into this specific topic in one of my upcoming workshops about launching.

In the meantime, check out Basecamp (there’s a free version), Things, Remember The Milk and my personal favorite Wrike.  All are on the desktop as well as available in mobile versions.

Customer Service

Be prepared for your project to blow up in a good way.  Have someone in place who can handle all questions and issues from customers and people who may become customers.

Create an FAQ document for all the questions that have been asked so far about the program.  Keep adding to this document and make sure it has completely accurate information — especially if you make changes along the way.

Customer service begins well before the interested person becomes a customer, so make sure you have someone who understands what you are offering, can be personable and answer questions and on occasion help “sell” to the person why it will be good for them.

Another tip: Tell people what to expect when they try to contact you.

What are your operating hours? What’s your average response time?  What’s your refund policy? How do you handle refunds?

Also – decide where your customer service inquiries will go.  An easy solution is embedding a google form on your contact page of your website.

Then anyone who contacts you goes into a spreadsheet which can be accessed by you or another person on your team who will monitor the form inside Google Docs.

Who Does What

You might not be thinking about hiring someone right now, but the sooner you realize that you need to have help in some form – the better.

I don’t care if you get your mom or brother or unemployed cousin to help or you find someone on odesk, craigslist or elance or you just happen to know someone you can pay to do the job.  You need support on your launch.

What is really crucial is having a clear breakdown of tasks that need to be handled by your team and give those tasks job titles.

Even if you end up doing the work of several of those job titles, it’ll make it much easier to integrate someone new to the team and understand who you need to hire.

To get started  - list out all the tasks needed to do your launch – I mean everything you can think of.  Then, separate tasks by category. Then, assign a job title to each category.

Analytics

Analytics and stats are an often forgotten piece of the launching puzzle, but if you want to learn and adjust during your current launch and on future launches, you must get a handle on this.

It’s important to understand the performance of your website, who’s responding to your emails, how many people are clicking on the pages you send out, if people are contacting you for services and where they are coming from…

The very first thing you can do – set up a Google Analytics Account and install it on your site. Check out this article on How To Get Started With Google Analytics.

If you have specific questions about this topic, please contact me.  There are so many ways you can track your progress – almost too many to tackle in this post, so reach out if you need some help!

QC

Put someone else (NOT YOU) in place to proof and click every single link on your site, that you send to people or that people will be interacting with. Emails, webpages, sales pages, order forms, your book proposal, your blog posts, your worksheets…your keynote or powerpoints.

Now that you’ve got one person to proof – HAVE YET ANOTHER set of eyes look everything over.

One easy way to do this is to have someone proof everything before it gets put into your email marketing service, loaded to your website, and sent out to people.

Then, load everything in its proper place and form and send tests to people from those systems.

That way everything looks good before it gets sent and then someone checks to see what the customer sees!

Implement each one of these systems and you will notice RIGHT AWAY that you have a better handle on what you’ll need to accomplish to make your launch a success.

Want me to go deeper on any of these topics?  Contact me and I’ll email you back personally with more information.

Wanna hear me dive deeper into more systems to streamline your first online launch? Sign up here to attend my FREE live webinar on February 24th at 2pm PST!

Does the thought of a launch make you a little anxious? Stressed out?

Well, there’s a legit reason for it…but it doesn’t have to be that way.

I’ve been through many different types of launches. Ones with big teams and little teams and multiple teams…online, offline, across time zones, cultures. You name it – I’ve seen it.

If there’s one thing that happens during this do-or-die period of delivery, shipping and launching…it’s people getting stressed.

As you probably know … or suspect, there are a lot of tasks, moving parts, pieces, and things that have to happen to deliver an organized launch.

People get fired up – kind of flip out – and often lose it because the pressure is just insane when money is on the line.  And launching means lots of things on the line — money, reputation, showing people you’re legit, whatever…but here’s one thing it isn’t….

It’s not the end of the world.
It won’t mean your business will make it.
It doesn’t mean you’re better or smarter than anyone.

It’s just you, having the guts to get your stuff out to the world, with the your best efforts put out there first.

That’s why you can take a deep breath and dive in if it’s your first one and get ready to learn.

The way you do this launch can mark the way you do the rest of your launches.

The way you react to problems, challenges, unexpected stuff that crops up doing a launch can make or break you in the long run.

The lessons you learn right now can stick with you for awhile…so it’s wise to start thinking about how you want the launch to feel as you’re working your way through it.

Stress can be a reality of launches – but I believe that stress doesn’t even have to enter the arena if you understand some key things about the process of launching anything.

Things To Remember (and Do) When You’re Launching So You Don’t Go Completely Insane and Come Out Stronger Than When You Started:

1. Realize changes are going to happen.
You will want to tweak or add emails to your announcement series, you may want to add something to your product, maybe even change how long your launch offer will be open.

Maybe you’ll decide to do a call at the last second so that people can get a better taste of your product or service. Other people might trip up the progress too if they don’t follow through on something — then you’ll need to change who does what.

Changes happen all the time during a launch and delivery of a project. Be flexible, understanding, and don’t let it get under your skin.

2. One person should always give direction – even if multiple people discussed something.
There should be a clear “who has final call” on something related to your project.

Sure you can have gatekeepers along the way who keep your vision in mind, but make sure there is one person (maybe that’s you!) who decides when something is ready to go.

3. Minimize last minute changes by discussing each stage of the launch in advance.
Taking #2 and #1 a step further…you need to discuss every stage of the project and launch in advance.  When you have a clear view of where you’re going and who will do what throughout, things will run much more smoothly.

4. Discuss + prepare for launch hiccups – and how you’ll turn it around if you don’t get the results you want.
And taking the above a step further, while you discuss and plot out the project, make a note of any potential hiccups that can happen along the way.

Don’t dwell on them and plan only for little bumps, but be aware of what could happen and make at least a very rough plan of what you’ll do if…a contingency plan you can put into place if Plan A isn’t executed according to plan.

5. Make people the leader of their domain.
Divide your project into different areas or domains — like advertising, affiliates, customer service, graphics, website, copy.

List all the areas where you could assign someone as the captain.If you have a skeleton crew – like you and one other person, just make that person captain of a few different ones.

Give them ownership of their part of the project and allow them to be the point person … This relieves a lot of running around like a chicken with your head cut off behavior.

6. Avoid community emails that only cause confusion.
Sometimes it’s important to inform the entire team of global changes to the project and I wholeheartedly accept emails that inform everyone at the same time.

With that said, I think it’s a better idea to keep most emails lean and sent to only the essential few.

I’ve seen some community emails in my day — all the way back to Animation production days when there was this monolith email meant to clear everything up…and it managed to do the EXACT OPPOSITE.

People generally look through emails – scanning for the part about THEM… it’s hard to find in a huge honkin’ email. Believe me. I know.

7. Respect boundaries of people who work at home.
If you’re starting an online business, working at home, have a few people working for you virtually, then this is something you must remind yourself of DAILY.

Establish the “on” hours of your launch production and the “off” hours.  This is good for you and for your team.  Don’t be sending them emails at 9pm or later at night.

They could be on catching up on their day’s work and see your email come in and get totally frustrated thinking you expect them to work RIGHT NOW.

Virtual team burnout is a reality – so be nice to your team – and to yourself. Establish those hours and try to stick to them yourself.

8. Realize that your stress bleeds to your team.
Even in a virtual situation, people can feel stress…it’s like it gets transmitted across the wires.  Do everyone a favor and do whatever it takes to reduce your own stress.  If not for yourself, think about doing it for your team.

When you freak out or let it all hang out with your team, it stresses them out. Be their fearless leader no matter what.

And – if you’re working on your launch alone (WHICH I DO NOT RECOMMEND), then you will need to find stress-reducing activities (exercise, massage, green juice) or your launch will never come to fruition.

9. Hire a coach to get you through it – don’t lean to much on your friends or your team.
See #8. Some tips for hiring a coach – do it at least 6 months prior to the launch. Keep them on your team through the launch and include them on every decision so they have a full picture of how you’re running the ship.

Make sure your team knows that you are working with an advisor, but be strong and make the final calls on your own.

The coach is your support – not the team’s, so take the coach’s advice, decide what you want to do and then relate that to the team.

You’ll feel totally supported but also get an injection of empowerment as you make the decisions on your launch.

10. Buy yourself gifts.
This has to be my favorite suggestion.  Throughout the launch I want you to go out and buy yourself and your team (if you can afford it), small trinkets that are like bright shiny beacons toward your end goal.

I watched a dear friend buy herself charms for her bracelet and I thought it was the sweetest, most perfect way to give yourself support and encouragement.

When you make decisions you need that support, you need those little goodies that remind you of your commitment to follow through on the launch.

Wanna hear me dive deeper into these 10 reminders and get more advice to get through your first online launch? Sign up here to attend my FREE live webinar on February 24th at 2pm PST!

I’ve talked to a lot of people this year – and we’re only a month in – about their big plans for the year.  Many of you are planning to release something to the world and are already taking action.

But some of you aren’t quite sure what you’re next move should be.

I know how it feels.  I manage launches in my not so day “day job” with LKR. That’s what we do – we create programs and we launch consistently throughout the year.

But on my own - launching and the idea of releasing my own work has taken on a lesser form.

Like ZERO form.

So – I know first hand that it’s hard to plan something that puts you out in the world in a pretty visible way.  You likely have a ton of fears about it.  I know I did…and still face them today.

But let me paint a bright picture for all of us about launching:

Forget for a moment that you’re not sure your ideas are THAT big.
They ARE big enough.

Forget for a moment that you want to share a piece of yourself with the world and make a difference in people’s lives.
I bet you already are making a difference.

Forget for a moment that you’ve been pushing and pushing and learning and preparing and waiting and hoping.
Hope is not enough.

If you’re really serious  and you are willing to go as far as you need to go to get your work, your art, your revolution out to the world, then you’ll stop all the nonsense right now.

The mind chatter and excuses needs to stop.

Be silent for just…one…second.

Take a deep breath.

Make the decision you’re going to launch.

Launching doesn’t take a big, extravagant product, or program or a slick video series, or even a large mailing list.

It starts with you making a clear decision.

I’ve spoken to many of you, read your letters, see your work online and offline…and I know you want to make it happen.  I know you want to “figure it out”.

But I hate to say it … There really is nothing to figure out.

Here’s all you need to have… 4 things in place…and when you finally finally understand and have these 4 things…you can launch anything.

1. You need people who believe in you and will push you when you don’t believe in yourself.
2. You need an idea to share with the world.
3. You need to make the decision and own it.
4. And…you need a plan.

Don’t bother buying Product Launch Formula or any other launch how to programs until you have these 4 things in place.

A launch can be exciting and fun, but it’s not all hunky dory.

It’s a lot of moving parts, it’s timing, it’s finesse, it’s double checking everything, it’s knowing why people will be interested in what you have to offer and why they won’t. It’s being able to slow the train down and answer those questions. It’s about changing course if you need to.

It’s knowing your plan inside and out and juggling it all delicately.  It’s having help managing that plan, so you don’t lose even one piece of the puzzle.

A launch of any kind starts before you turn the engine…one that always starts with the decision and the knowing that each time you do one, it will get better.

So, you’ve educated yourself, know what you want to launch — maybe it’s your blog, maybe a product, maybe a book or other piece of art, maybe it’s a business, maybe it’s a totally different idea or dream you want to share….it doesn’t matter.

At some point, you need to launch it to the world.

Don’t let the word launch scare you anymore.

Make the decision to do it. Get help. Make a plan.

If you are ready to let other people join your party, then you’re ready to launch.

Launching is Letting Other People be part of your art.

This brings me to a very special announcement about a project dear to me that I’ve been working on behind the scenes!  I’m doing a free live webinar on Friday, February 24th to tell you all about it – and I want you to be there!

Here’s what we’re going to cover:

• Why you’re not launching + your biz is suffering
• What the make or break ingredient to a successful launch
• How to avoid launch failure even before you start
• The best way to launch to fit your business model

Enter your name and email below and I’ll send you all the details of the webinar — even if you’re not sure if you can make it live, sign up to get the recording!

Click here to sign up for the webinar!

Can’t wait to see you there!

I’m always on the look out for articles, book, people, products quotes that give me a new way to look at making space for my big ideas and making them happen.

When I find something that interests me…I kinda go a little nutso and do act like a junior high girl crushing on a senior.  It’s all I can think about – now of course it’s more my hunger for knowledge.  I love new ideas.  So….

Since I’m constantly finding new goodies, trying out new things – I’m going to start sharing them a few times per month or whenever it feels right! Make sure to let me know when you like something I’ve suggested!

Every single recommended resource I’ve either discovered on my own, purchased and am using and/or someone else has asked me to find the resource and I suspect others might need it too!

Here are some highly recommended resources that I’ve been using for the past week month:

How To Start A Blog That Matters: I believe blogging is where seeds of your revolution can be sowed and grown over time. Since people are online – it doesn’t matter what your focus is – or if you even write every single day.

Blogging is one of those no-brainer activities for learning how to express yourself and gather the people around you who like what you’re saying, support you when you need and learn from your experience.

Invaluable training from Corbett Barr and the team at Think Traffic.

The price is LOW (for only a few more days!!!) considering you get a lifetime membership to the members area – and there is a growing community inside the protected area to learn and grow from!

I’ve been working through the lessons in this course to take own my site to the next level…and the course has helped me really get to the core of my message.

If you’re just starting out or have been writing online for awhile, check this course out.

*Also, if you pick up the program and join me inside, I’ll send you the all-access package of my ebook The White Space Solution.

Post from LiveYourLegend.net: Does What You’re Doing Actually Matter?
If you’re looking for a way to make money from your passion, look no further. Scott’s site is a resource that I go to often for inspiration and to witness really quality writing.

Post from SarahBurns at theohanamama.com: Find Your Super
When I read this post from Sarah – I didn’t just read it once…I read it 2x, then another, then another. The message is so clear, so real, and makes me honored to know her. This is what it’s all about.

Post from Danielle LA PORTE: In Honor Of The Fact That Life Is Short
Another post that made me stop, take a breath, and truly feel something. Not a lot of posts can do that to me (or maybe anyone for that matter).

What I’m Re-Reading...
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: My relationship with money and earning has been on the off side for most of my life.

I won’t blame my parents, but clearly I did learn how to behave with money and how to respect/not respect it’s value in my life.
I remembered this book really caused me to shift when I first read it, so when I found it during a huge garage clean out this weekend, I pulled it to read AGAIN.

Ok – that’s it for this week – see you again, when I have another round of people, places, things to watch!

Disclaimer: some times the links on this site will be affiliate links – which means that there could be a commission paid to me if you purchase. I’d appreciate it if you keep in mind that these links support the life of this site and the courses I’m developing for you!

 image credit:  Pink Sherbet Photography