You’ve got the vision, the grit, and maybe even a cool domain name for your website—sounds like you’re ready to bring your business to life! But hold on a second… do you have the RIGHT foundation in place to launch successfully? If your plan stops at just hitting “publish” on your Instagram post, we might need to backtrack just a tiny bit.
Launching a business is exciting, but without a strong game plan, you risk hearing the dreaded sound of… crickets (and not the cute kind, either). Fear not! You, my friend, are not going to be haunted by the launch tumbleweeds.
Instead, think of this as your Business Building GPS—from refining your product all the way to shouting your launch from the rooftops. Here’s the roadmap you need to start strong and keep thriving.
Step 1: Nail Down What You’re Selling (Seriously, Get Specific!)
Before you do ANYTHING, make sure your product or service is ready to rock.
- Got a product? Is it inventoried, polished, and ready to ship? Or are you running a print-on-demand setup? Know the details.
- Offering a service? Think about how it’s structured. Maybe you’re offering 60-minute coaching calls, custom design packages, or dog yoga lessons (hey, no judgment!). Get crystal clear so potential customers know EXACTLY what you bring to the table.
Pro tip? Build a killer product page or promo materials that leave ZERO room for confusion. Customers should take one look and think, “I NEED this in my life!”
Step 2: Plan the Launch Party of the Century 🎉 (Okay, Maybe Just a Good Marketing Plan)
The best products in the world mean nothing if no one knows they exist! A solid launch plan is your secret sauce.
Here’s what to consider for your launch strategy:
- Social Media Campaigns: Start teasing your audience with sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes clips, or even a countdown. Build the hype!
- Email Campaigns: Share exclusive updates with your email subscribers. Maybe even toss in a cheeky “subscriber-only” discount to sweeten the deal.
- Events (If Applicable): Opening a brick-and-mortar? Host a launch event! Can’t have people come physically? Consider an online live Q&A or an Instagram Live session.
Marketing sets the stage. Sales close the curtain call. Don’t skip this very important act!
Step 3: Build Anticipation Like a Netflix Trailer
Ever notice how people lose their minds the second Netflix drops a mysterious teaser for a new show? You can trigger that kind of buzz (minus the red carpet).
How?
- Share sneak peeks (“What’s in the box?!”) or behind-the-scenes content.
- Post teaser videos/photos on social media.
- Run countdown timers or “something big is coming” posts.
Give ’em just enough to keep ’em curious—and coming back for the big reveal!
Step 4: Test EVERYTHING Before Going Live
Nothing derails a launch faster than broken links, dysfunctional payment systems, or an email that sends subscribers into the abyss. (Been there. It’s awkward.)
Double, triple, and quadruple check your operations:
- Is that online payment button actually working?
- Have a friend test your booking system (you don’t want surprise glitches).
- Can your website handle traffic, or will it crumble under pressure like me watching rom-coms?
Test until you’re 100% confident everything works. Your future customers will thank you.
Step 5: Track Your Wins (…and Even Your Almost-Wins)
Key performance indicators (KPIs) aren’t just boring company talk—they’re lifelines for measuring how well all your sweat and tears are paying off.
Here’s what to look at post-launch:
- Customer Acquisition Costs (How much $ to get someone to buy?)
- Sales Targets (Are you meeting these or getting ghosted by shoppers?)
- Website Traffic (Are people clicking around but not buying? Time to tweak something!)
Measuring progress = pivoting like a boss when needed.
Step 6: Get Official (Because Taxes Will Catch You)
Exciting as it sounds, creating a business isn’t just Instagram photos and ribbon-cuttings. Cue the not-so-fun-but-critical admin to-do list:
- Register your business with your state (Yes, even the boring stuff counts!).
- Set up sales tax. Hate math? Grab an accountant. Trust me—future you will send you love notes for this.
- Create systems. Streamline your process for managing income and expenses. Whether it’s Excel, QuickBooks, or (if you must) color-coordinated folders, get it together.
One last thing? Packaging! Even if you’re drop-shipping, the unboxing experience matters. Wow your customers from the first tape tear.
Bonus Step (a.k.a. Step 7): Tell EVERYONE
If you’re sitting on this amazing business idea but haven’t told a soul… what are you waiting for?! Don’t be shy—shout it out from the metaphorical rooftops!
- Tell your friends, family, yoga instructor, barista, anyone with ears.
- Post it on social media. (And hey, maybe sprinkle in a little flash sale for launch day to sweeten the deal.)
The more people you tell, the more buzz you’ll create. Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
Where to Go from Here
Launching a business doesn’t have to feel like jumping out of an airplane with no parachute. It’s all about preparation, community support, and treating your product/service like the superstar it is.
If you’re ready to finally escape your 9-to-5 grind and live on your own terms, you don’t have to do it alone. At From 9 to Thrive, we specialize in business coaching, personalized launch plans, and accountability to keep you thriving.
Grab our free mini course here and take the first step toward turning that side hustle into your main event. Because thriving isn’t just a goal—it’s a way of life.
Or- check out more on how to Escape your 9 to 5 here!
Keep thriving!