Promotional Launch didn't work :-(

[kathiemt]

I had a promotional launch for my newest book which was listed at Amazon just recently. The launch was to take place on 1st December and I had a number of people providing freebies to purchasers to build their lists. In return they had to promote to their lists, one of those people having a huge list.

When the day came I was excited and expecting to see a lot of new signups to my list and sales for the book but the numbers were quite low and I was disappointed.

I decided to send an email to all my JV partners to find out what happened - I know for a fact the person with the largest list didn't promote as I'm on her list and I didn't receive an email.

What were the responses?

• It was a long weekend in the US and many extended it - I hadn't realised that but since a number of the participants were in the US I would have hoped someone would think to tell me - they didn't.
• Another person was ill.
• Another had been in hospital.
• Another forgot and would send straight away.
• Another (the biggest list owner) commented she'd already done lots of promotions this week and didn't want to do anymore. I reminded her that was the condition of joining in the promotion and that I know she benefited from signups from those who did participate - she received but never gave out.
• A couple advised they had promoted and others reported new signups.
• I haven't yet heard from the rest.

What have I learnt from this?

• To keep nagging and reminding participants to send out the promotional email and then send emails leading up to the event 3, 2, and 1 day before as a reminder that it's happening.
• Remind the participants how they will benefit from new signups if they ALL send out the promotional email.
• Perhaps set up a list of conditions for participating and getting their agreement to that list.
• Get added to all JV lists so I can see when their promotions come out.

Is there anything else I could have done do you think?

By the way - I decided to extend it simply because those who forgot or were ill wanted to still help me so they're sending out to their lists for me today. You can see details of what I've done here.

[Letting Go Pro]

Hi Kathy. Congratulations on your effort to launch the book. That is great!! I also appreciate your experience and want you to stay focused on your plan. Stick to your plan to sell what ever number of books you set as your goal. It will happen as sure as you are a wonderful person. If I can assist in any way, please contact me anytime. Best to you.

[kathiemt]

Thanks Darren, I appreciate that. Well I've decided to keep the promotion live for now and encourage those who were sending to their lists to resend or send out if they forgot. But that also means I'm letting others know about it too so they can participate if they wish.

Apart from that I'll continue speaking, reading and writing as I always do - sales usually happen along the way. The best part is the testimonials I receive from those who have read my books as many find there is something that speaks to them through them.

[MissieK]

I'm one who completely forgot! So sorry No other excuses.

Maybe it's a bad time of year. I know for me it's been so busy with end of year stuff, I keep forgetting things because I have too much on my plate... just a thought.

Another thing may be the lists aren't targetted enough... the second book is very different to the first...

I know I'll have something in the next BMMag about it - fingers crossed that will bring in some sales too.

Melissa

[BrightSpark]

Did you do up the email flyer for the 1 week to go, 3 days to go, It Tomorrow? This way they they don't have to think and you have reminded them without being stand-over-ish and then they just have to cut and paste it into their list. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to help you.

Michael

[kathiemt]

Originally Posted by BrightSpark

Did you do up the email flyer for the 1 week to go, 3 days to go, It Tomorrow? This way they they don't have to think and you have reminded them without being stand-over-ish and then they just have to cut and paste it into their list. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to help you.

Michael

No, I didn't Michael and the last promotion I did worked fine but perhaps I need to rethink how I do things.

[Warren Cottis]

Hi Kathie

You don't mention what sort of deal you were offering your jv partners. If they have the list they are in the box seat and you may have to give away a lot more to get access to it... cheers

360 Digital Performance

[kathiemt]

Originally Posted by warrenc

Hi Kathie

You don't mention what sort of deal you were offering your jv partners. If they have the list they are in the box seat and you may have to give away a lot more to get access to it... cheers

360 Digital Performance

They were giving away a freebie download or signup in return for people to join their lists. Collectively if all the JV partners did what they said they were going to do, then the promotional email would have gone out to over 20,000 people thereby providing possible exposure for them all.

[Angela, communic8 design]

Hi Kathie,

I know how you feel, it's really disappointing when something we've had big hopes and plans for, falls short of expectations.

JVs, product launches, info-products - there are so many people touting instant fixes and million dollar results for no effort. To all of them I blow a big raspberry! All these strategies, like most things in business require time and effort. What works one day may not work the next.

I guess you can learn from the experience and try not to get disheartened. We all know you're great.

xAngelax

[kathiemt]

Gee thanks Angela, much appreciated. It's a learning process and what I am doing is putting a checklist of things together so when I do the next one (and you can be sure there will be another...) I'll cover all those bases. But I'm sure there will be other hurdles - there always are in the path of learning.