While going through the product-launch checklist for my new Pricing Your Art audio program, I thought it might be helpful to share the list with those of you who create products that you sell online: e-books, note cards, classes, and so forth.
Here are the basic steps I take to get a new product or service on Art Biz Coach. They're more circular than linear, but they all must be completed.
1. Create the product. Upload to server.
2. Create a product item in QuickBooks.
3. Create the product item in the shopping cart. Upload image of item to cart.
4. Write copy for the sales page. Create graphic image for product. Upload sales page to server. Test purchase links.
5. Write and upload a Thank You/Download Web page for customers to receive further instruction or download their purchase. Test links.
6. Create an autoresponder series in my shopping cart.
7. Link the correct autoresponder (#6) to the product (#3).
8. Make sure the Thank You page link is identified in the product details.
9. Post product on other website pages, blog sidebar, Facebook, and anywhere else it needs to be promoted.
10. Tell my crackerjack assistants about the new product and share the links with them.
11. Tell Art Biz Coach affiliates about the new product.
Note that this list is just about getting the product online and making sure people can purchase it. It doesn't include the emails that will be sent or the promotions that will take place.
Even with a list like this, something might go wrong. It's inevitable. That's why I never launch a product when I'm going to be away from the computer and unavailable to fix things.
I hope you can adapt this list to your own needs. Tell me about it in a comment.
Steal This Checklist for Your Next Product Launch
- Alyson Stanfield
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8 thoughts on “Steal This Checklist for Your Next Product Launch”
Hi great article but to me this is the easy bit. It’s the promotions that can seem like you’re banging your head against a brick wall! I’d love to see an article comparing self promotion vs. a site which promotes for you such as http://www.tworedtrees.com e.g. which is most effective? Also, if you sell on another site it’s worth considering who else is selling on there as the value of your art is influenced by the value of the work alongside yours. Thanks,
Danni x
Danni: It looks like Two Red Trees is your own site.
Let me turn this back on you. What does TRT do to promote artists other than putting their work on your site. You say: “We actively market you and your products, not just online but at exhibitions, fairs and networking events.”
What exhibitions, fairs, and events do you take the work to and how often?
Great article Alyson. I think it would be interesting also to compare your own promotion to another site promoting. My experience thus far has been that I list something on someones site. Then I do the promotion. I’m really not sure why I would bother to list anything any place other than my website. That is where I want people anyway.
Becky: I’m not sure what you mean by “another site promoting.” Can you explain further?
Alyson, I guess it is unclear what I was talking about. There are so many sites to list your website, images, and info. So far, it seems to me that I have to do all the promoting myself, so I’m wondering what the value of a listing gallery or website is. I’ve tried to be careful about quality and not paying too much to other galleries, auctions, etc. Most of my sales online have been through my own promotion. Maybe I answered my own question. I would just like to know if there is really any value to other sites.
Becky: Just build up your own site! That’s far more important than anything else.
I would, however, urge you to take advantage of any free pages that are given to you as a member of an organization. Free real estate!
Maybe there’s a blog post in this.
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