Ever felt like you just don't know how to sell? You're launching your course, writing all the emails, getting people ready to enroll...and yet, the moment you have to ask for the sale...it just feels wrong.
Sales can feel really awkward, scary, and just weird...when you're first getting started in business. Today's episode shares some ideas to help you feel less weird about selling. The great side effect is that your audience and soon-to-be customers will also feel like it's more natural to work with you too!
Resources:
This week we're talking about why we're all seeking more simplicity--especially in our businesses, but why we may fight against the need to declutter and uncomplicate things.
Plus, I'm sharing 3 questions to ask yourself if you're not sure how to start simplifying the way you share your ideas, products, and services with the world.
Don't underestimate the power of creating a simple, streamlined launch process that you can repeat (and that you get to design yourself).
Mentioned on the podcast:
We wait for a lot of things in our lives...the right time, the perfect conditions, when we're older, when we have more money, when we've got a house. And in our business, sometimes people wait for the sale, the call, the list to grow...for people to give us feedback (and social proof).
What if you have no social proof, testimonials, or case studies ... how are you going to sell your services or programs if no one can vouch for you?
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Here are 3 ideas to inspire you to gather social proof even when you're creating something brand new!
Mentioned in today's episode:
How much should you charge for your beta program?
How to beta launch your next online course
The Launch Incubator (6-Month Mastermind)
Whether you're dreaming about your first launch or you're more experienced...you probably know that mistakes will happen.
Today's episodes reviews some of the most common mistakes you might make at every stage of your business!
If you want to learn more ways to improve your launch by looking at the potential downfalls, well, my friend I've got you covered!
Over the years I've identified different things you might be challenged with, mistakes you might make--the visible ones and the more internal mistakes.
https://annesamoilov.com/4-launch-mistakes/
https://annesamoilov.com/9-launch-mistakes/
https://annesamoilov.com/launch-mistakes-what-to-do-when-things-go-wrong/
Launches can be kinda scary…
We've all seen the ones that are wildly successful and launches that don't work at all.
The pie in the sky dream launch stories followed by complete dead in the water disasters.
And both make you want to run for the hills and never utter the word launch–much less actually try to launch something of your own.
But if you haven't launched yet – you should know something. Launches often don't work.
But why??
If you are just starting your business, trying to gather the courage to launch your first product or service, you might be wondering why launches seem to work for only part of the time…or maybe they just work for a small majority of people.
If you liked this and want to make your launches better, sign up for the masterclass: https://annesamoilov.com/masterclass
Get on the Fearless Launching waitlist - we're doing the program live very very soon: https://fearlesslaunching.com
Every launch begins with a conversation - doesn’t matter who you have it with.
It may be a coach. It might be your journal. Maybe a friend.
But you need to have this conversation.
It’s the step most systems, calls, programs, courses don’t really talk about.
There’s a checklist of things that starts somewhere between knowing who your audience is (important) and what they want to buy from you (uber important).
This is the mother of all kick off calls. The kick off before the team gets hired and before the partners get contacted...before any launch leak happens or a webinar is announced.
...I like to think of this conversation as more of a confessional...where you lay out your hopes, dreams, fears, and plans (if you’ve got them already) for the launch and why you’re doing it.
Don’t worry - it’s not a loosey goosey conversation...
Before we get into the specifics, something you should know--
Your launch convo must be had with someone who knows you and your business well. Coach, mastermind partner, business bestie. Someone who you can trust to let you share without the fear of judgement of any kind.
Because it’s a mix of specifics and elements that aren’t completely defined, it’s important someone can ask you the right questions and let you share whatever comes out.
I. Part one of the conversation will be talking, answering, getting clear on some of the more surface questions:
II. Part two of the conversation you’ll probably start working on some deeper details together - and you’ll either be writing it out as you talk or putting sticky notes on your calendar.
Grab the 10 steps you should go through in the Launch Workbook.
We’re still not all the way deep yet, though.
III. Part three is probably more important than everything you talk about.
Lots of people talk about the launch story or the launch narrative...but not really telling you how to create it.
So, it’s no wonder you kind of guess what the words launch story even mean in the first place!
I’ll go into depth on creating your launch story in an upcoming post, but for now, here’s how to create in the most easy, straightforward sense.
For example, Fearless Launching isn’t so much about being scared to launch but being prepared, curious and willing to revise in order TO launch… those things allow you to be Fearless. And so - I like to bring in these little touches throughout the launch--in emails….
Think to yourself - what does this thing I’ve created all come back to > what’s the narrative, the reason, the underlying belief and mission….how you got here or where you are now and why you’re doing this.
There are three critical parts to a launch story….actually they’re more like layers really.
And I see them over and over and over again in my most successful client/student launches.
This is the visible reason you are launching or something that will be easy to see and talk about every single time - you write a blog post or send out an email.
Pretty much anything you can think about as the “why you’re so pushed to do this launch right now” is okay. There is no wrong answer...you just have to keep it very clear as to why.
Let me give you a few specific current examples.
Fearless Launching is just about to kick of a special what I call “Closing Cuz We’re Upgrading” launch.
I must close the doors in order to finish building out our new home and all the new content for the program.
Instead of holding off until everything’s ready, I want to give you a chance to join the program right now - at the current pricing, get your upgrades for free, plus watch the before & after in progress. That’s the story this time around.
In addition to the surface reason you’re doing the launch - the more visible obvious reason...there’s usually at least one more narrative at play when you launch anything….
And this seemingly sub or lesser story is really the undercurrent which gets up close to the real reason your product even exists.
It gives your launch depth and meaning.
Simon Sinek talks about your why in his famous book “Start With Why” for a reason.
If you’re launch was an Iceberg - above the water would be the visible reason for the event...and below the water...well, we know that’s actually what anchors the iceberg…
If your time of the year is the surface reason for launching, your deeper why is that you know the time of year might trigger a certain emotion that you’re hoping to help people through….
This is the case if your product is business or personal related. We are emotional beings and it’s critical to understand that as humans we are emotional no matter what we do.
The final ingredient in this whole story is understanding when to talk about the surface or the emotional part… when to lay it on thick and when to pull back.
Striking a balance between emotions, logistics, and practical reasons for someone to pay attention to what you’re offering is definitely something you get better at over time...and you never stop aiming to get better doing.
Understanding your audience is key to understanding when the thread is strong or weak or simply non-existent.
We go into this in more depth inside Fearless Launching, if you know you need help creating your story.
In the meantime, start today by doing the following.:
We’ll also be opening a very special promotion for Fearless Launching, so get to work on the steps above and you’ll be ready for us to start working on your launch together!