Should I launch on election day?

John Thornhill · 10-30-2008, 12:23 PM

Hi Warriors, I need some advice.

I have announced the launch of a product and set the date to November 4th which I now realize is election day in the US (I'm from the UK)

Today I get this response from a subscriber.

"Why are you choosing to launch your program on November 4th? A LOT of Americans will be caught up in voting/volunteering for the presidential election on that day. Couldn't you choose a launch date a day later?"

Should I be concerned? Should I move the date? Is the US election such a big deal it could affect my launch? I would appreciate any advice from US warriors.

Thanks in advance.

John

write-stuff · 10-30-2008, 12:26 PM

I'd say definately not. Not even the day after (since so many people are going to be pissed off, regardless of who wins). Personally, I'd wait at least 2-3 days after.

Good luck with your project. - Russ

mario2001 · 10-30-2008, 12:30 PM

I agree with Russ is going to be
better for you if you wait a couple of days
after the elections.

Mario

Ron Douglas · 10-30-2008, 12:40 PM

Yeah, what they said.

I don't think your launch can compete with Obama and McCain's.

You want to launch on a day when people will be at their computer and you can have their full attention.

Kay King · 10-30-2008, 12:42 PM

Should I be concerned?
Yes
Should I move the date?
Yes, if you are targeting US market
Is the US election such a big deal it could affect my launch?
This particular year, yes, it is

I would appreciate any advice from US warriors.
I'd postpone for a full week as this particular election will be getting a lot of attention next week.

kay

greenandchic · 10-30-2008, 12:46 PM

I expect a lot of crap to go down after the election: recounts, tons of angry people, etc. Waiting maybe a month (depending on how things go) may be your best bet. Do you know anything about the 2000 election here?

mymarketingsecret · 10-30-2008, 12:56 PM

Hey John,

I agree with everyone here. This election is extremely important to the citizens of this country because is a time of change. We may have the first African American President and if you launch on that date you will not have great results because we the American's are going to be focusing on this election and nothing else.

Mark McWilliams · 10-30-2008, 01:03 PM

Hmm, you know John, I would have noeve thought about something like this until you actually brought it up. (As I was planning to release something around this date!)

So as almost every other warrior has mentioned, I'd go for something a little later!

Thanks
Mark

OnlineBusiness.com · 10-30-2008, 01:50 PM

One of the things I learned from Gary Halbert is that, when something in your offer is 'flawed', the best thing to do is to make that a selling point!

Ever hear of an "Election Day Sale"?

Make a big fuss about the fact that it's on election day, and people are much more likely to actually REMEMBER the launch, and set aside time during their day to participate.

You could say something like, "Listen, I know a lot of you might be out voting on launch day, and that's exactly why, as you're walking into the voting booth, don't forget to make a mental note to check out this launch as soon as you get home..."

... or something like that. You could do it a bit better, that was off the cuff

In short, don't worry about it.

Chris Lockwood · 10-30-2008, 02:18 PM

I'm not sure I agree.

There may well be much more going on the day after the election, as people realize what happened.

But on Election Day itself, most people aren't that distracted. It's not a day like Christmas or Thanksgiving where many are doing holiday-related activities all day or a day when stores or offices are generally closed.

Those who vote do so and that doesn't usually take much time. Many people vote absentee (by mail) or early, so they won't be doing anything special during the day then. Other than that, it's a pretty normal day. Election results don't start coming out til about 8 pm Eastern (New York) time.

If you delay the launch very long, you'll push it into the Thanksgiving thru New Year extended holiday period, usually not a good idea.

If you go with that day, I'd acknowledge that you realize what day it is, so people who see you are from another country won't think you don't know what's going on.

markaustin · 10-30-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay King

Should I be concerned?
Yes
Should I move the date?
Yes, if you are targeting US market
Is the US election such a big deal it could affect my launch?
This particular year, yes, it is

I would appreciate any advice from US warriors.
I'd postpone for a full week as this particular election will be getting a lot of attention next week.

kay

I agree. Plus - I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of people upset after this election.

Mark

Peggy Baron · 10-30-2008, 04:12 PM

Hi John,
I agree with the others about waiting a couple days.

Peggy

John Thornhill · 10-31-2008, 05:10 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. I'll make a decision over the next day or so so if anyone else wants to share their views please do.

John

DavidO · 10-31-2008, 05:54 AM

I don't have a launch scheduled but it will be interesting to see the election's effect on sales. I'm betting "not good" but you never know. To be on the safe side you should hold off.

arilestariono · 10-31-2008, 05:59 AM

Hi John , you can check on Google trends and news on what trends on elections, based on that you can define using what kind of niche market to boost your traffic and product launching using the same momentum.Good luck

Fuad Tolieb · 10-31-2008, 06:09 AM

MAYBE IT IS A BOOST FOR YOUR LAUNCH IF YOU DO IT ON PURPOSE!

Think about it, you can tell your US or maybe World customers that by launching your product on election day, you also want to start a new "product" wit a new aproach. A "fresh start" or something like that.

Its a psychological trigger..

10-30-2008, 12:23 PM	#1
John Thornhill Full Time IMer War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 376 Thanks: 100 Thanked 165 Times in 57 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Should I launch on election day? Hi Warriors, I need some advice. I have announced the launch of a product and set the date to November 4th which I now realize is election day in the US (I'm from the UK) Today I get this response from a subscriber. "Why are you choosing to launch your program on November 4th? A LOT of Americans will be caught up in voting/volunteering for the presidential election on that day. Couldn't you choose a launch date a day later?" Should I be concerned? Should I move the date? Is the US election such a big deal it could affect my launch? I would appreciate any advice from US warriors. Thanks in advance. John

10-30-2008, 12:26 PM	#2
write-stuff Eschew Obfuscation War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 623 Thanks: 12 Thanked 48 Times in 40 Posts	Re: Should I launch on election day? I'd say definately not. Not even the day after (since so many people are going to be pissed off, regardless of who wins). Personally, I'd wait at least 2-3 days after. Good luck with your project. - Russ

10-30-2008, 12:30 PM	#3
mario2001 Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Should I launch on election day? I agree with Russ is going to be better for you if you wait a couple of days after the elections. Mario

10-30-2008, 12:40 PM	#4
Ron Douglas Self Made War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,745 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 780 Thanked 1,628 Times in 403 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Should I launch on election day? Yeah, what they said. I don't think your launch can compete with Obama and McCain's. You want to launch on a day when people will be at their computer and you can have their full attention.
	Ron Douglas - MBA, CFA, NY Times Best Selling Author. As seen on Good Morning America, Home Shopping Network, Fox, ABC, NBC, People Magazine etc. - Discover how I sold 1.1 million books and ebooks CLICK HERE - Forget micro niches - Go Mainstream - $5.8 Million Case Study IT Outsourcing \| Copycat Recipes \| Best Traffic Course

10-30-2008, 12:42 PM	#5
Kay King Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast, USA. Posts: 15,143 Thanks: 3,712 Thanked 4,139 Times in 2,256 Posts	Re: Should I launch on election day? Should I be concerned? Yes Should I move the date? Yes, if you are targeting US market Is the US election such a big deal it could affect my launch? This particular year, yes, it is I would appreciate any advice from US warriors. I'd postpone for a full week as this particular election will be getting a lot of attention next week. kay

10-30-2008, 12:46 PM	#6
greenandchic Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 23 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I launch on election day? I expect a lot of crap to go down after the election: recounts, tons of angry people, etc. Waiting maybe a month (depending on how things go) may be your best bet. Do you know anything about the 2000 election here?
	Carla www.greenandchic.com www.greenandchic.com/blog

10-30-2008, 12:56 PM	#7
mymarketingsecret Active Warrior Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 49 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I launch on election day? Hey John, I agree with everyone here. This election is extremely important to the citizens of this country because is a time of change. We may have the first African American President and if you launch on that date you will not have great results because we the American's are going to be focusing on this election and nothing else.
	17 Master Resale Rights for $17

10-30-2008, 01:03 PM	#8
Mark McWilliams BIG WordPress Fan War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 445 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 25 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Contact Info	Re: Should I launch on election day? Hmm, you know John, I would have noeve thought about something like this until you actually brought it up. (As I was planning to release something around this date!) So as almost every other warrior has mentioned, I'd go for something a little later! Thanks Mark
	On mark.mcwilliams.me or @markmcwilliams you'll find me!

10-30-2008, 01:50 PM	#9
OnlineBusiness.com Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Online Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I launch on election day? One of the things I learned from Gary Halbert is that, when something in your offer is 'flawed', the best thing to do is to make that a selling point! Ever hear of an "Election Day Sale"? Make a big fuss about the fact that it's on election day, and people are much more likely to actually REMEMBER the launch, and set aside time during their day to participate. You could say something like, "Listen, I know a lot of you might be out voting on launch day, and that's exactly why, as you're walking into the voting booth, don't forget to make a mental note to check out this launch as soon as you get home..." ... or something like that. You could do it a bit better, that was off the cuff In short, don't worry about it.

10-30-2008, 02:18 PM	#10
Chris Lockwood Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: central Florida Posts: 1,553 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 89 Thanked 101 Times in 82 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I launch on election day? I'm not sure I agree. There may well be much more going on the day after the election, as people realize what happened. But on Election Day itself, most people aren't that distracted. It's not a day like Christmas or Thanksgiving where many are doing holiday-related activities all day or a day when stores or offices are generally closed. Those who vote do so and that doesn't usually take much time. Many people vote absentee (by mail) or early, so they won't be doing anything special during the day then. Other than that, it's a pretty normal day. Election results don't start coming out til about 8 pm Eastern (New York) time. If you delay the launch very long, you'll push it into the Thanksgiving thru New Year extended holiday period, usually not a good idea. If you go with that day, I'd acknowledge that you realize what day it is, so people who see you are from another country won't think you don't know what's going on.
	Comprehensive membership site training My blog

10-30-2008, 04:12 PM	#12
Peggy Baron Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,013 Blog Entries: 24 Thanks: 434 Thanked 193 Times in 116 Posts Social Networking	Re: Should I launch on election day? Hi John, I agree with the others about waiting a couple days. Peggy
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10-31-2008, 05:10 AM	#13
John Thornhill Full Time IMer War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 376 Thanks: 100 Thanked 165 Times in 57 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Should I launch on election day? Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. I'll make a decision over the next day or so so if anyone else wants to share their views please do. John

10-31-2008, 05:54 AM	#14
DavidO Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: United Kingdom, Spain Posts: 2,031 Thanks: 10 Thanked 101 Times in 58 Posts	Re: Should I launch on election day? I don't have a launch scheduled but it will be interesting to see the election's effect on sales. I'm betting "not good" but you never know. To be on the safe side you should hold off.

10-31-2008, 05:59 AM	#15
arilestariono Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Should I launch on election day? Hi John , you can check on Google trends and news on what trends on elections, based on that you can define using what kind of niche market to boost your traffic and product launching using the same momentum.Good luck
	Visit ourhomeremedies!

10-31-2008, 06:09 AM	#16
Fuad Tolieb Simplicity Is Key War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 907 Thanks: 143 Thanked 266 Times in 87 Posts	Re: Should I launch on election day? MAYBE IT IS A BOOST FOR YOUR LAUNCH IF YOU DO IT ON PURPOSE! Think about it, you can tell your US or maybe World customers that by launching your product on election day, you also want to start a new "product" wit a new aproach. A "fresh start" or something like that. Its a psychological trigger..