How to Effectively Do a Live Launch for Your Online Course

Are you considering a live launch for your new online course?

Launching with a live event has gained popularity for a reason! It’s a tried-and-tested strategy that has helped countless course creators boost their enrollments and generate excitement.

Successful entrepreneurs like Amy Porterfield, Marie Forleo, Brendon Burchard, and Stu McLaren swear by this model, having used it for their signature programs.

But what exactly is a live launch?

A live launch is a time-sensitive event where you actively promote and sell your online course over a short period.

Unlike evergreen launches, where your course is available year-round, a live launch creates a sense of urgency and excitement by offering your course for a limited time only.

After this enrollment period ends, your potential students will have to wait until the course opens again, which could be as long as a year.

This time-sensitive approach drives engagement and boosts sales.

How often you choose to live launch depends on your preference—whether quarterly, semi-annually, or even once a year—each frequency creates a sense of scarcity that encourages your audience to act quickly.

In this article, we’ll explore how to effectively plan, execute, and maximize the results of your live launch, ensuring your course gets the attention and enrollment it deserves.

We can break down a live launch into three phases:

First Phase: Pre-Launch

This is your preparation phase.

During this time, your goal is to build a new audience while increasing your visibility with your current followers.

Here’s how to get ready for your course pre-launch:

• Create a Compelling Lead Magnet

Create a free resource related to your course topic to attract potential students.

For example, offer a “10 Social Media Mistakes to Avoid” checklist if your course is about social media marketing.

This will attract potential students and grow your email list.

• Boost Social Media Engagement

Increase your presence on social media with regular posts, live videos, and interactive content.

Share sneak peeks of your course content and behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engage with your audience to build anticipation.

• Enhance Email Marketing Strategy

Send out helpful and informative emails to your list. Share tips, insights, and updates related to your course topic.

Keep your audience informed and excited about what’s to come.

This phase aims to build anticipation and establish a connection with your audience so that when you officially launch, they’re ready and excited to sign up.

Second Phase: Launch

In this phase, you officially present your course to your audience.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Host Live Events

Run live webinars or challenge events to engage with your audience and give them a taste of what your course will offer.

Use these events to showcase your expertise and answer questions.

• Open Your Cart

Make your course available for purchase and clearly communicate the enrollment period to your audience.

• Send Sales Emails

Craft compelling sales emails that highlight the benefits of your course and include strong calls to action.

Use testimonials, success stories, and clear benefits to drive conversions.

• Engage on Social Media

Maintain momentum by interacting with your audience on social media.

Answer questions, share updates, and create a sense of urgency as the enrollment period draws to a close.

The key here is to make a strong impression, drive sales, and convert leads into customers.

Third Phase: Post-Launch

After the launch, it’s time to focus on delivering a great experience for your new students and analyzing your performance.

Here’s what to concentrate on:

• Deliver Your Course

Start delivering the course content to your new students and ensure they have access to all necessary materials.

Make the onboarding process smooth and welcoming.

• Onboard New Customers

Provide a smooth onboarding experience for your new students.

Make sure they know how to navigate the course and access support if needed.

• Gather Feedback

Collect feedback from your new students to understand their experience and identify areas for improvement.

• Analyze Performance

Review your launch’s performance by evaluating key metrics such as conversion rates and engagement levels.

This helps you understand what worked well and what could be improved.

• Nurture Leads Who Didn’t Purchase

Continue to engage with leads who didn’t enroll by sharing valuable content and offering alternative products or services.

Post-launching is crucial as it ensures your new customers have a positive experience and provides valuable insights for future launches.

Reflect on your launch to identify successes and areas for improvement, helping you enhance your strategy for the next launch.

A well-executed live launch can significantly boost the success of your online course.

By carefully planning each phase—pre-launch, launch, and post-launch—you can create excitement, drive engagement, and increase enrollment.

And remember, whether you’re planning a Live Launch or another type of launch, you’ll need an effective funnel page.

Click the button below to explore our range of funnel templates at my Kajabi Template Shop and find the perfect match for your launch.

Other blog posts you may like:

• The Crucial Step Most Course Creators Skip: How to Validate Your Course Idea
• Live or Evergreen Launch Models: Which One is Right for Your Online Course?
• Why Pre-Launching is Crucial for Your Online Course Success
• How to Launch Online Course with an Evergreen Launch Model