There are many different methods of marketing new products and inventions. Of course, which ones you use are dependent on the industry you are in, and the type of person you are trying to target. But, whichever industry you are involved in, there are some essentials you need in place for your marketing that will help you form the perfect blueprint for a successful launch.
With this in mind, we’ve put together these guidelines you should follow when arranging preparations for launching your new product. If you are close to getting your new idea out there, it’s time to start making some noise! Let’s get started with some of the basics.
Market research
You should, of course, be doing market research long before even building your product. A thorough investigation is needed to find out how your invention sits within the market, and you should avoid creating anything, purely on an assumption. There has to be a genuine desire – and need – for a product if it is going to be a success. In an ideal world, your product should be a unique solution or improvement for a popular need.
Contact industry influencers
Make sure you seek out and contact influential people in your industry. You can find them on top ranking blogs, on social media, and in specific channels like Linkedin, and they can be vital to your success. Send them free samples or test products to try out and report on in their blogs or to their audience. It can create a massive buzz and interest in your product long before it hits the shelves.
Plan a launch event
Events can be a great way to introduce your product with an enormous fanfare. If you want your launch party to be successful, however, then you will need to start planning for it long in advance. Also, you can’t guarantee that your product alone will be enough to attract people. Consider laying on food and entertainment – maybe a band or some industry guest speakers. Depending on your budget, you could hire or buy something like custom printed marquees, to stamp your brand name all over the occasion. A successful launch party can lead to an explosion of early interest, and get your product off to the best possible start.
Get everything in order
As your launch or release date approaches, ensure you have everything in order. Go through a new product launch checklist to ensure you have the legal protection that could prove vital. Test your product thoroughly to ensure it works. And make sure that all your systems are robust enough to manage a high volume of interest right from the start. If your sales are a lot higher than you were anticipating, it can harm your business if you aren’t ready for it.
Get help if you need it
Finally don’t be afraid to turn to a professional marketing firm if you require it. After all, there’s a good chance your skills are in other areas besides marketing – product development or sales, for example. Using experienced, professional marketing firms will allow you to focus on more important tasks.
Good luck with the product launch – and let us know how you get on!