Last week a client wrote to me asking if I had any advice for how he could best get the word out about a new offering. I immediately thought, “Now THAT’S a good blog post topic!” … and here we are.
Anytime you have a Big Important Thing that you want to announce to the world i.e. a new service, a promotion, a book, an album, or anything else, this is your checklist. Follow them to a T and just see what happens!
Write to your email list – more than once.
Don’t let anyone tell you that email marketing is dead – it is not. And if you’re reading this and thinking “Hm, I don’t have an email list…” start now! There’s never been a better time. Because, trust me, at some point in the future you’re going to have a Big Important Thing to tell the world about and wish you’d started that email list long ago. Lastly, remember that it’s ok to write to people about something important more than once. Additionally, on many email marketing platforms (i.e. MailChimp, etc.) you can resend your email to just those who didn’t open it. Winning!
Write a blog post about it.
Whatever your Big Important Thing is, there’s always a story you can tell about it – and that’s exactly what your blog is for. Releasing a new book? Write a blog post announcing so and sharing some personal thoughts on what the release means to you. Have a new offering? Write a blog post telling the story of how you arrived at discovering you wanted to offer it. Launching a rebrand or new logo? Write a blog post telling what the new brand/logo means to you.
Share that blog post on social platforms – all of them.
One of the great things about a blog post is that it gives you a unique URL that you can then share everywhere on the interwebs. Whatever social media platforms you are on – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube – share that blog post about your Big Important Thing on not just one but ALL of them. It’s ok (and even good) if people see it multiple times. Another great thing to do on social media is to create and schedule a series of posts related to your release. For example, when I was counting down to the unveiling of my new business name and brand (Ellanyze), I scheduled a series of posts with Q + A about the rebrand. People loved it!
Showcase it on your website homepage above the fold.
If your website is getting traffic, then your Big Important Thing should be displayed at the top of your homepage for maximum visibility. While most of my clients prefer to make small edits on their websites themselves, this is the perfect time to reach out to your web designer and have them design a feature for your announcement above the fold. If it’s really important, you’re going to want it to have that professional touch and WOW factor that only your web designer can give.
Contact any press connections you have.
Do you know anyone who works at a local radio station? Or a newspaper? Or a magazine? Now is the time to use any connections you have and see if you can an announcement about your Big Important Thing on some larger platforms. If you have a budget, you can also hire a PR person which will guarantee you a certain amount of press (typically starts at multiple thousands of dollars so worth doing your research before committing to an arrangement).
And For Extra Credit…
Ready to do even MORE? Below are a couple of creative ideas for when you really want to make a splash.
Offer a Giveaway/Contest on Social Media
A simple Google search will yield countless ideas for how you can run a contest or giveaway on social media. To give you an example: Tell your followers to enter your giveaway they have to post a photo of themself doing something related to your Big Important Thing wish a certain hashtag (so you can find them). Tell them the date you’ll announce your big winner and what your prize is. It’s a terrific way to generate even more buzz.
Throw a Party
When I launched my rebrand, I threw a party at a local brewery (appetizers provided) and invited many of my professional colleagues and friends. It was a blast! And it definitely helped to get the word out about my shiny new web design brand. I highly recommend this as a marketing tactic when you’ve got something worth celebrating.
In Closing
Sometimes we think of the best marketing tactics for a Big Important Thing announcement when we let ourselves truly think outside the box. So in addition to all of the above, don’t be afraid to have a brainstorming session (even with a few trusted colleagues) and see what you think of! The sky is the limit.
