Releasing a digital product? I guarantee this will happen
1. You’ll be scared
There will be a thousand unknowns running through your head before you share your pride and joy with the world. What will people think will be your number 1. Will anyone buy it will be your number 2. You just need to push through. Even with 100 products behind me, I’m still scared the night before launch.
2. You won’t get a wink of sleep
Rest well in the lead up to launch because it’s unlikely you’ll get much sleep for a few days. It might be because everyone loves your product and your mind is buzzing with ideas, or it might be because you sold less than you expected. Either way say goodbye to the zzzz’s for a little while.
3. You’ll won’t be 100% happy with the end result
Even if you’re not a perfectionist you’ll still be thinking there is room for improvement in your product. You wonder if you should delay the launch to improve this bit and that. Go to the beach or a sandpit right now, draw a line in the sand and say done. It’s time to ship.
4. You’ll stuff something up
It might be a typo, you might forget to do something, email the wrong people, embarrass yourself in a media interview. We’re human after all, but try think more about the positives than what you’ll do better next time in the heat of the moment.
5. Someone will hate your product. And you might cry.
Someone will openly bag your product and it will feel like all your fears have come true. You might even cry and that’s okay. Not even google can be all things to all people, so you need to find the will to move on. You’ll never forget your first bad review, but remember good wins out over evil every time!
So move on …
Come to terms with the above. You are not alone, it happens to everyone so don’t fear it or let it paralyse you.
Because then someone will buy your product, and it will change their life.
Then none of the above will matter and it will all become deeply worthwhile.
Great post Shayne! We’ve just drawn our line in the sand and are only weeks away from shipping. I’m terrified of the bad reviews, but I think I have already cried over them so am just focused on getting it out into the world!
Great news Caz. I think lots of people are eagerly awaiting your first creation! The haters can go play somewhere else.
Amen Shayne … creating more value than you capture hey!
I produce training videos on online products – any thoughts on;
1. the video capture a gremlin a clear error in the product that only happens randomly – do I cut it out or do I explain it away – perhaps with a visual pointer mark.
2. Updates to the product – updates can roll out overnight without me knowing. Do I create a whole new product, do I go back and edit the video, or offer a Note about the update and a video if it needs it?
Hey Heather. 1. I would probably explain it, as the people that it happens for will be forever thankful! 2. Updates to products are always hard (especially in your situation), I would perhaps talk with Xero and see if you can be on a early notification / testing group?
Great article! Having been inspired by seeing you at ProBlogger last year, I’ve *just* released my first eBook, and a week after the launch, I’m still an emotional rollercoaster! But wow, every time I see another book sell, its the best feeling in the world!
Sara-May — CONGRATUATIONS!!!!!!!