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Personal Development product launch - Looking for advice and possible partners

by StevenAitchison
17 replies
Hi everyone

I know you all know a lot about product launches and I thought this would be a great place to start to look for advice.

I am a personal development blogger, the biggest in the UK, not the biggest blogger but I have the biggest personal development blog in the UK. I am passionate about my topic and feel I know it well and love what I am talking about.

I have produced a product called 'Alter Your Jacket' (The copy is not nearly done yet) which will be released at the end of May with 14 days of free material:

Day 1 - Video 1 (after signup)

Day 2 - Transcript of video (ebook)
Day 3 - MP3 of video
Day 4 - Video 2
Day 5 - Transcript of video (ebook)
Day 6 - MP3 of video
Day 7 - Video 3
Day 8 - Transcript of video (ebook)
Day 9 - MP3 of video
Day 10 - Video 4
Day 11 - Transcript of video (ebook)
Day 12 - MP3 of video
Day 13 - Bonus
Day 14 - Bonus
DAY 15 - Launch of: Alter Your Jacket - Crashing Through the Barriers to Changing Your Life (soft subtitle)






The product itself consists of 7 modules (videos) about 30 minutes each on average which will also have accompanying transcripts, mp3s and a guided visualization for each of the 7 modules. This will be priced at $97 and will be downloadable but mainly be watched from a secure web page.

The thing is I haven't released a major product like this before, I have released very small ones like ebooks but have never done an actual launch.

I have a list of 8,600 subscribers to my blog and have an aweber list of 3,000 subscribers of which about 700-800 are responsive (in that they open the emails I send). I have built up a big contact list of personal development bloggers, about 100 or so.


My plan was to try and partner up with with these 100 or so bloggers and hope they send their readers to the signup page to get the 14 day course and then send an email every day for 14 days until launch day.


I am thinking of using 1devaffiliate for affiliate promo material and using paypal to pay affiliates their 50% commission.


Can you advise me the best way to go about this or am I doing everything right? I don't know any JV brokers who can help me out and don't know a lot of people with big lists etc.


I would love your expert opinions on this


Steve
#advice #development #launch #partners #personal #product
  • Profile picture of the author Lou Diamond
    Hello,
    I would start with social networking asap, facebook fan page, youtube video's of your product.
    Get viral and the rest will follow.
    Good luck.
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    Something new soon.

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    • Profile picture of the author StevenAitchison
      Cheers Lou, I've got my own fan page as StevenPAitchison and a youtube account under my name as well so I as going to use them.

      Thanks Sue for your comments I will be promoting to the list in a few weeks.
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      How to Become an Advanced Early Riser
      Mind Alchemy:Unlocking The Power of Your Mind
      Change your thoughts Blog
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      • Profile picture of the author LaunchGal
        Steve

        Congratulations on building the blog following and creating the product. A bit of feedback on your launch strategy

        I’d like to suggest a tweak to a few things for your launch strategy. I think you have too much content being released too close together in your prelaunch phase. I think it can overwhelm, and even lose some prospects. If you are incorporating blog comments, you can send out some of the comments in some of the days, in lieu of new content, if your goal is to keep in touch every day.

        I also think that giving out the 2 bonuses right before the launch will detract from the launch itself and momentum... You don’t want to prime people to think you just give away bonuses! At that point you want them chomping at the bit to be able to buy!


        Are you afraid you need a way to keep people engaged at that particular moment? There are a number of ways you can do that.....a webinar to deliver a little more content.. answer any questions prospects have.....A case study....You could better use the bonuses to reward blog posters......tweeters who retweet your video link....

        I know what you mean when you say you ‘hope’ the jv’s will mail for you.......there are some proven ways to incentivize them to mail for you such as creating a contest or some kind of prize for the one[s] who generate the most sales. It’s a total win-win.

        Also, some JV’s will want to know your conversion rates. The way some of my clients handle that is to do an internal launch first [to their own list and perhaps a few select jv’s they have a strong relationship with]. This accomplishes a few things: helps you iron out the kinks before going full guns with your launch and lots of jvs, it helps you identify conversation rates [that you can share with jv’s to help get them on board], it also helps you get more social proof [blog comments, testimonials, success stories].

        Happy to answer any questions here or you can pm me to chat with you regarding your launch.
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        • Profile picture of the author thmark
          Steve,

          Launch Gal is right, I think. If you look at the major IM launches, they usually release three or four things over the pre-launch period. Too much will wear people out.

          Give out short things that people can apply and get results right away. That will build excitement.

          I would also put make DVDs and CDs available as an upsell or option. That will increase perceived value greatly and lower refunds.

          You can use Kunaki or a fulfillment house.

          Would like to know more about the product itself. There may be a fit for my list. But my list responds much better to physical products than online/downloadable content.

          PM me and we can discuss further.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sue McDonald
    Hey Steven you have just started your advertising campaign right here. Just release to your subscribers and your lists and things will happen. I also believe in social media and of course go to other forums in that niche.Good Luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author James Sol Radina
    Steven-

    You are doing a lot for you list and should get some reciprocity. I applaud you for that. But I suggest you have most interaction strategies. One of the biggest things you can do during a launch is to ask for comments. Or ask a question and have your lists email you.

    This creates participation. It creates interaction. It gets people in the process of TAKING ACTION. If you look at all the major product launches going on right now, they are getting hundreds and thousands of comments. So make sure you are specifically asking your prospects to leave their comments and feedback. It will help with "social proof." If you are getting tons of comments, then you can mention that in your emails.

    Also, getting other bloggers to mail for you each of the 14 days sounds a little far fetched. I mean, would you mail to your list for 14 days on behalf of another blogger? First of all, they most likely already have a calendar filled out of their own newsletters and other promotions. And you will be taking people away from their site to yours. Usually, unless you are a big name, getting another entity to mail for you more than once is a blessing.

    Let me know if you would like more tips, tactics and strategies. You have a pretty good following and should do well. What price point are you dealing with? Have any of these prospects purchased from you before?

    James


    I would suggest you have a strategy for
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    I offer Product Launch Blueprints and Product Launch Management Services. I studied under Jeff Walker's Product Launch Manager Coaching Program. I also provide online marketing for Personal Development Guru's in the Self Growth Industry. Looking forward to support you in any way I can. Namaste, James Sol Radina http://www.facebook.com/briantracydirector

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  • Profile picture of the author StevenAitchison
    Hi James

    Thanks for your thoughts on this.

    I have rvised my strategy after speaking with LaunchGal and someone else and will do a mini launch and email out every 3 days for 2 weeks.

    I am pricing this at $97 with a discount for the mini launch which means it will be $67.

    Would love more tips and tricks, as launch date is 26th May for the free video course and 8th June for Alter Your Jacket video course.

    Steve
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    How to Become an Advanced Early Riser
    Mind Alchemy:Unlocking The Power of Your Mind
    Change your thoughts Blog
    Solo Ads in The Personal Development Niche
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Bainbridge
    This sounds really interesting Steve, and I really like the title actually, its quite quirky and sounds quite different, I think it could stick in peoples minds

    What hasn't been mentioned, and what you aren't mentioning either is imo your best asset - your 3,000 subscribers and 8,000 readers - if I were you I would use this as a tool to your advantage - try and get some real JV partners - people who have related products in your niche - offer to mail about them in return for them mailing about you, if you get a few people like this on board who are happy to mail about you on a larger scale then you will have a much bigger launch - especially if you have free gifts they can mention and send people to... which you can build into your list and mail about your launch too.
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    • Profile picture of the author James Sol Radina
      Originally Posted by submp3s View Post

      This sounds really interesting Steve, and I really like the title actually, its quite quirky and sounds quite different, I think it could stick in peoples minds

      What hasn't been mentioned, and what you aren't mentioning either is imo your best asset - your 3,000 subscribers and 8,000 readers - if I were you I would use this as a tool to your advantage - try and get some real JV partners - people who have related products in your niche - offer to mail about them in return for them mailing about you, if you get a few people like this on board who are happy to mail about you on a larger scale then you will have a much bigger launch - especially if you have free gifts they can mention and send people to... which you can build into your list and mail about your launch too.
      As long as you promote these other JV's AFTER your launch. You definitely do not want to be promoting anything else BEFORE your launch! I think this is a no-brainer, but I wanted to comment.

      How is Pre-Launch Going?
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      I offer Product Launch Blueprints and Product Launch Management Services. I studied under Jeff Walker's Product Launch Manager Coaching Program. I also provide online marketing for Personal Development Guru's in the Self Growth Industry. Looking forward to support you in any way I can. Namaste, James Sol Radina http://www.facebook.com/briantracydirector

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      • Profile picture of the author StevenAitchison
        Hey james

        Pre-launch is going okay, I didn't realise just how much work goes into a launch and I only have a few partenrs on this. there's so much work to do it's unbelieveable, however very satisfying.

        I go live for the free training on wednesday and everything is hopefully set up.

        had a little trouble with DLG and Idevaffiliate as I couldn't code the affilaites sales properly, but sam at DLG and Jim at Idevaffiliate were great and finally amnaged to get it sorted.

        I think I'll do a PDF report showing the launch step by step and what's involved in it.

        Thanks for your help and your thoughts on this.
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        How to Become an Advanced Early Riser
        Mind Alchemy:Unlocking The Power of Your Mind
        Change your thoughts Blog
        Solo Ads in The Personal Development Niche
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        • Profile picture of the author James Sol Radina
          Steven-

          Put me on you list and if I can provide any feedback during your launch that will help for this launch of future launches I will do so. Looking forward to your next updates about how successful everything was and how it all paid off!

          I know how much work it can me. That is seriously why Jeff Walker designed the Product Launch Manager's Course... to help people with their launches that did not have time to manage it all. But really anyone can do it if they have a good blue print or plan to follow. Keep up the great work!

          Originally Posted by StevenAitchison View Post

          Hey james

          Pre-launch is going okay, I didn't realise just how much work goes into a launch and I only have a few partenrs on this. there's so much work to do it's unbelieveable, however very satisfying.

          I go live for the free training on wednesday and everything is hopefully set up.

          had a little trouble with DLG and Idevaffiliate as I couldn't code the affilaites sales properly, but sam at DLG and Jim at Idevaffiliate were great and finally amnaged to get it sorted.

          I think I'll do a PDF report showing the launch step by step and what's involved in it.

          Thanks for your help and your thoughts on this.
          Signature

          I offer Product Launch Blueprints and Product Launch Management Services. I studied under Jeff Walker's Product Launch Manager Coaching Program. I also provide online marketing for Personal Development Guru's in the Self Growth Industry. Looking forward to support you in any way I can. Namaste, James Sol Radina http://www.facebook.com/briantracydirector

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  • Profile picture of the author StevenAitchison
    Hey James

    The product launched about 12 hours ago:

    Stats so far:
    339 uniques
    subscribers: 138
    conversion 40.7%
    comments on video 4

    Conversion stats are good but the comments is a bit of a downer, however the video is 45 minutes long so it could be that. I'll keep you posted.
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    Solo Ads in The Personal Development Niche
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    • Profile picture of the author James Sol Radina
      Steven- I am opting in now to check it out. I can not watch the video tonight, 45 minutes is loooong. I am sure it is great content though! Looking forward to it.

      I have to imagine you are losing people by having them opt in and NOT giving them the video on the next page. They have to wait for an email from Aweber, then wait for another email from you. Too much for how busy people are, do you agree?
      Signature

      I offer Product Launch Blueprints and Product Launch Management Services. I studied under Jeff Walker's Product Launch Manager Coaching Program. I also provide online marketing for Personal Development Guru's in the Self Growth Industry. Looking forward to support you in any way I can. Namaste, James Sol Radina http://www.facebook.com/briantracydirector

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  • Profile picture of the author T2007
    Hi Steve,

    Not to be repetitive, I agree with Launch Gal and Thmark. Too much information can be overwhelming.

    I'll add one idea that has worked for many when trying to get JV partners. Offer them the opportunity to add bonus gifts. This is a win-win as they get to distribute their content through your promotion and you get to offer great bonus gifts to your prospects.

    Best,
    Tammy

    P.S. I realize it may be a bit too late to have posted this idea, but I'll leave it as is for future consideration
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  • Profile picture of the author StevenAitchison
    Hi Tammy

    Thanks for the suggestions here, I think that is a great idea and one I will use for the bigger launch in July.

    The launch of Alter Your Jacket is going okay with 377 subscribers, don't know how many of them will convert but I will let you know (looking at 1 -3% typically so that's only 3 - 9 sales which is not good at all

    Steve
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    How to Become an Advanced Early Riser
    Mind Alchemy:Unlocking The Power of Your Mind
    Change your thoughts Blog
    Solo Ads in The Personal Development Niche
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