By guest expert Tanya Geisler

In July I relaunched my website. You can see the “how” here but in a groovy nutshell, it was OFF. THE. HOOK.

The core of my work as a Business and Life Coach is about having my clients step into the starring roles of their lives. Which became the narrative of the new site. And so naturally, it was the theme of the launch. I invited visitors to submit short videos articulating what having them step into the starring roles of their own lives would open up for them. And the winning submission (based on judging from my personal panel of experts) would receive a glorious swag bag teeming with digital products from some of my very favourite women entrepreneurs (including the sublime Ms. Carrie Klassen).

Value of the swagbag = >$1100.

What a blast it was…AND filled with great learnings.

Carrie asked me to share them with her beloved readers. I’m honoured to do just that.

There are about as many ways to launch (a website, product, offering) as there are launch experts. That is to say, like a billion (give or take a million).

When I’m feeling confused, overwhelmed or unsure (frankly, about ANYTHING), I always lean into my core values.  Doing so helps inform how I want things to go down…in the most “authentic Tanya” way possible.

Here were my parameters…am pleased to report we hit each one outta the park.

I wanted it to be fun.
I wanted it to be inclusive.
I wanted it to be generous.
I wanted it to be unique.
And I did not want it to be all about me.

Which brings me to my next learning.

Get used to being all about you. Given the last point above, this was a hard one to swallow. I got mighty sick of seeing my photo, my name and myself everywhere with all the FB shares and RTs. I was incredibly grateful for all the accolades, and started to get a little shy about all the attention. This was surprising to me and bit problematic particularly in the days following the launch. And given there was a competition component to the offer, I really did need to keep the momentum going. And I just didn’t really have it in me.

Lesson: next time I launch ANYTHING, I will automate. I will pre-write tweets, posts, etc and have them queued up so that they’re doing my work while I can hide under my duvet.

It’s beyond fabulous to have goals (I’m a coach, so that much I do know). Make up a number for what you want to aim for: 150 new subscriptions, 50 people signed up for your offer…whatever. (Don’t forget to get clear about why that’s important to you). And go for it.

Then celebrate who DOES show up, even if it’s not your goal number. These people want to be here. For what YOU have.

Ultimately, try not to get bogged down by the numbers, be they high or low. Hoopla is hoopla. Your people are the ones that stick around once the confetti’s been swept up.

No launch (of anything) can be done in isolation. That’s just a fact. The good news is that people want to see you succeed.  They want to help.

You just need to ask. {Did those words strike terror in your heart? Read on.}

There is an art to the ask and it’s very simple.

Ask concisely, clearly, respectfully, and in integrity.

Who? Well, someone who will be amenable to the request, natch.

Be aware that a “no” is likely more of a reflection on the askee’s time constraints than anything to do with you and your launch (and they’ll say so…believe them). And while we’re talking about time constraints, be specific about how much time you’re asking for AND make it as easy as possible for them to say yes: if you’re looking for support in getting the word out, pre-write them some tweets for them to tweak and plug into their Hootsuite. They want to support you, not strategize your execution.

It’s not gonna be perfect…you can take that to the bank (though cash is oh so much more elegant). Here’s the thing: you’re so much more prepared than you think, and it’s probably already 90% there.

And let’s get this straight, 90% is still an A grade. If a 90% isn’t good enough for you, you can always make up the extra credits down the road. And by golly, your people will be grateful you got over yourself. Your good work is what they’re waiting for. Dare you deny them what they want simply because of 10%? Didn’t think so, Sunshine.

Learn from the 10% and rock it out differently next time.

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Tanya Geisler is a CTI-certified coach (also known as “a catalyst, not a therapist”), the author of The Joy Pages, creator of Board of Your Life, a speaker, and champion of clarity, action and achievement. Life is a grand production…and it’s time for you to step into your starring role. www.tanyageisler.com.