This article is for all the hard working small business owners who are looking for help starting a project launch. As every business is different and offers specialized products and/or services, there are a number of steps you can customize and follow to successfully launch your newest project. Why is a product launch important to small businesses? Project launches are an innovative way to grab the attention of the most important people to your business, both new and long-term customer base, and show them how your latest project makes your business go above and beyond all expectations and provides a unique product/service to the world.

Step One – Preparation

• Clearly identify within your project team, what exactly your project will consist of and compile a list of goals that are desired to be met. It is also important to compile a list of negative outcomes that could arise. By looking at the negative along with the positive you are pro-actively troubleshooting flaws.
• Who is the target audience? How can you expand the parameter to include a possible new clientele? This information leads to the desired marketability of your project. The point to a project launch is to spread the news on what your business can provide to the world and that starts with efficiently and effectively promoting and marketing your project.
• During a group meeting, discuss with the project team, the business’s ability to follow through with fulfilling new orders. A successful launch is just the beginning to a successful project. It is important for your business to be prepared to meet new demands.

Step Two – Launch

• Plan and coordinate an event to promote your project. Focus this event around your product and/or service highlighting to the attendees, the value and enrichment your project will provide for them and others.
• Be very clear when delivering timelines so there is no confusion with starting and stopping dates.
• Be informative and paint for your customers, an irreplaceable picture of what their life/business would be like with your product and/or service in it. This could be done through a well written speech and/or an inspiring presentation.
• Have customer care provided for the attendees. Your project team should be knowledgeable of who your guests are. Whether an online event or a in-person party, ask guests to sign a guest book. After the event creatively ask for their perceptions of the launch.

Step Three – Follow Through

• Public and private thanks should be given to all people whom helped and attended the launch. Appreciation and customer service is what sets small businesses apart from the corporate giants.
• With the guest book and after party perception information, analyze what your guests see in your business and project, strengths and weaknesses. This information can help in future plans and improve growth. Follow through with the attendees with news, sales, and promotions. Your guests could potentially provide personal testimony for your endeavours on your website and/or social media.
• Follow through on your project’s objective. By successfully completing this project you pave the way to your next.