You know you are NOT ready to launch when...

• Your modules are not complete and scheduled for release
  
• Your videos have not been properly encoded for devices
  
• Your software has glitches/crashes and has not been tested
  
• When your customer makes a payment, and gets... access to virtually nothing
  
• When there is no introduction section that allows your customer to get started right away - with something that will make them say... WOW
  
• There is no surpirse bonus inside the members area
  
• When you are too busy trying to create the course you are already selling
  
• When you have not had a few members of your family/friends run through the entire sign-up and process and give you honest feedback
  
• When you are so unfamiliar with your hosting/release software that you need to hire someone to come in and FIX your launch that you should have tested in the first place

In the restaurant business we have something called a "soft opening" where you open your doors for a day or two ahead of the public to friends and family. The reason for this is NOT because we are inexperienced at managing a restaurant, it's because we ARE experienced at running a restaurant and we know this is the only way to work out unforseen events which are unique to each restaurant (or product launch).

Hey listen, I understand the timed release of an information product, but for the love of God, when I put down $300, $500, or $2,000 - I WANT something right now - and I want it to work. I want to know YOU appreciate me as a customer who has invested in you, enough so that you have planned and prepared for the very moment I enter the membership area. Is my table really ready?

A) I should instinctively know what to do.
B) I should be pleasantly surprised at something you give me right off the bat.
C) I should have access to Module ONE immediately or an Introduction Module.
D) If software is being touted as part of the program I should at least be able to see a video of what it will do, and when I get access to it.
E) I should also have access to YOU, and not an obscure support desk.

When we open a restaurant (yes, I used to do just that), our customers on that first day are saying "WOW, I am coming back, I am so glad you opened here". One of the reasons for that is because we as managers are available on the floor, having face-to-face with customers - we are NOT in the back of the room rushing to set up the restaurant still (equivalent of making your product as people are coming in the door). No, you need to be available to me if you want to make me happy on that first day.

In virtually every product launch these days I feel the GURU-style products leave customers saying.. Where is everything? What do I do? If someone has just given you money, you MUST understand the psychological aspect of that, and go out of your way to show your appreciation. You must greet me, guide me, and simply GUSH LOVE - a term I often used in my own restaurant.

Hey you may have the best intentions with your GURU product and high-priced membership, but it means squat if you cannot make a first impression that makes me excited and happy to have joined your community. I want to feel good about my purchase, not nervous, confused, or regretful.

C'mon GURUs. Lets take a few extra days of testing to get it right. Do a secret soft opening and wait for honest feedback. Fix the problems - because there will be some.

Then you can start to sell with confidence, and sincere honesty about what you are offering.