Before the Launch with Brenna McGowan

Brenna McGowan
  • 5.0 (32)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

Before the Launch is your go-to shortcut for what to say and do — and how to warm up your audience — so they’re already nodding “yes” before you ever pitch a thing.If you're tired of guessing what content actually moves the needle, this podcast pulls back the curtain on what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to generating demand before the cart opens.Each short, unfiltered episode gives you the messaging, content strategy, and buyer psychology insight you need to make your next launch feel less like a scramble—and more like a sell-out.Because launch success doesn’t start with a sales page.It starts way before the launch.

  1. 5d ago

    The Difference Between Pre-Launch & Launch Content (re-run)

    It's summertime, which means I'm taking a little break from recording new episodes. As an '80s kid, I grew up looking forward to reruns of my favorite TV shows, so I thought we'd do the same thing here on the podcast. Throughout July, I'm bringing back some of the most downloaded episodes from the show. Whether you're listening for the first time or giving this episode another spin, I hope you hear something that lands a little differently this time around. Thanks so much for being here. Enjoy the episode, and I'll be back in August with brand-new conversations!What’s the actual difference between your everyday marketing, the content you should be creating before a launch, and your actual launch content.  In this episode, I break down the three phases of marketing — regular marketing, consideration (pre-launch), and launch — and why skipping the middle stage is the reason so many launches underperform and don’t reach goals.  Inside this episode, I share: The 3 distinct marketing phases and how they work togetherWhy educational content doesn’t belong in pre-launchWhat “silent seller posts” are — and how to use themThe biggest mistake course creators make during launchHow to build anticipation without fake hypeIf selling and launching feels heavier than it should, this episode will show you why. Grab the 2026 Launch Report here: https://brennamcgowan.co/launch-report/ Listen now. Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  2. Jul 14

    The Pre-Launch Strategy That Generated $300K in Two Months (re-run)

    It's summertime, which means I'm taking a little break from recording new episodes. As an '80s kid, I grew up looking forward to reruns of my favorite TV shows, so I thought we'd do the same thing here on the podcast. Throughout July, I'm bringing back some of the most downloaded episodes from the show. Whether you're listening for the first time or giving this episode another spin, I hope you hear something that lands a little differently this time around. Thanks so much for being here. Enjoy the episode, and I'll be back in August with brand-new conversations!In this episode, I chat with Paddy Johnson the founder of Network—a membership for mid-career visual artists—to talk about what happened when she added a pre-launch strategy to her marketing. At the time, Paddy’s business was facing a serious slowdown. Revenue had dropped by nearly 50%, launches weren’t performing the same way they once had, and buyer hesitancy was showing up everywhere. But after implementing a structured pre-launch strategy, something surprising happened: people started replying to her emails, engagement skyrocketed, and her Black Friday launch produced record-breaking results. Here’s what we unpack in this conversation. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why strong copy isn’t the same thing as strong pre-launch strategyThe difference between nurture content and true pre-launch contentHow audience research revealed Paddy’s most important customer problemsWhy pre-launch emails generated far more engagement than her normal emailsHow a two-month launch period generated $300K in revenue Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  3. Jul 7

    The Step-by-Step 6-Week Pre-Launch Plan Your Next Launch Needs (re-run)

    It's summertime, which means I'm taking a little break from recording new episodes. As an '80s kid, I grew up looking forward to reruns of my favorite TV shows, so I thought we'd do the same thing here on the podcast. Throughout July, I'm bringing back some of the most downloaded episodes from the show. Whether you're listening for the first time or giving this episode another spin, I hope you hear something that lands a little differently this time around. Thanks so much for being here. Enjoy the episode, and I'll be back in August with brand-new conversations! In this episode, I’m breaking down what actually goes into a pre-launch and how to structure the weeks leading up to your launch. I’m giving you the six-week framework I use with my clients to warm up their audience, tap into buyer psychology, and make sure they’re not scrambling to convince people at the last minute.  What you’ll uncover: How to decide how long your pre-launch should beThe real purpose behind each week of your pre-launchWhy sharing your “why” still matters (even if you’ve told it 100 times)What type of objections need to be addressed before you open your doorsA simple tactic to future-pace your audience do they’re clamoring to buy your stuffListen now to start mapping out a pre-launch that feels good AND converts. Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  4. Jun 30

    My Biggest Business Model Shift Yet

    I've made a big decision in my business: After nine cohorts, I'm transitioning the Pre-Launch Plan Program from a cohort-based program to an evergreen offer. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why I'm making the change, what I'm gaining, what I'm giving up, and the questions you should ask yourself if you're deciding between a cohort model and an evergreen program.  In this episode, I also talk about: Why I kept my program cohort-based for years before making this shiftThe hidden challenge of moving to an evergreen modelHow urgency and scarcity can impact enrollmentThe revenue ceiling many cohort programs eventually faceWhy community matters even more in the age of AIThe real question to ask before changing your business modelIf you're trying to decide whether to keep your program cohort-based or move toward evergreen, you'll walk away with a clearer framework for making the decision. DM me on Instagram @BrennaMcGowanCo Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  5. Jun 23

    Your Summer Marketing Plan

    Every June, I start thinking I hate my marketing. Then I remember it’s not my business—it’s summer. In this episode, I’m sharing the pattern I’ve noticed over the last few years and the questions I ask myself whenever summer rolls around. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or simply craving more time away from your screen, this conversation will help you simplify your marketing without sacrificing momentum. You'll learn how to identify what actually matters in your marketing, what can be temporarily put on pause, and why recycling content might be one of the smartest things you do this season. In This Episode:Why "summer fever" impacts your motivation more than you thinkThe simple question that makes marketing feel lighter instantlyHow to identify your non-negotiable marketing activitiesWhy some marketing channels deserve a seasonal breakHow to use your data instead of guilt to guide your decisionsThe case for recycling content instead of creating moreHow to slow down intentionally without slowing business growthListen now. Join me in the Behind the Launch Facebook Group here Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  6. Jun 16

    My Love-Hate Relationship With This Program Feature

    Have you ever created something in your business that some clients absolutely love while others aren't quite as enthusiastic? In this episode, I'm sharing my complicated relationship with one of the most-used tools inside the Pre-Launch Plan program and the reasons why I have a love-hate relationship with it. Today we’re talking about:Why I created the Pre-Launch Plan master calendarHow students use the calendar to stay on trackThe unexpected downside of providing detailed timelinesWhy some people love structure while others feel restricted by itHow I think about "being behind" inside a programThe challenge of designing programs for different learning stylesWhat this experience has taught me about supporting clientsListen now to hear my honest thoughts on the tool I both love and question at the same time. Have thoughts on this? Email me at brenna@brennamcgowan.co Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  7. Jun 9

    The Launch Checklist I Never Skip

    In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the systems, workflows, and SOPs that help me prepare every launch inside my business. From updating sales pages and affiliate dashboards to organizing email automations and onboarding experiences, I'm sharing the exact backend process that keeps launches running smoothly. In This Episode You'll Learn:The launch assets I update before every promotionHow often I update my sales page and messagingThe tags and email segments I prepare in advanceWhy onboarding automations matter more than you thinkThe surprising tool that consistently helps me make salesHow AI can help you create launch processes fasterListen now and get a look at the  backend systems that make my launches run smoother!  Grab the 2026 Launch Report here: https://brennamcgowan.co/launch-report/ Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

  8. Jun 2

    The Tiny Tasks That Make Launches Successful

    In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the systems, admin tasks, onboarding processes, and team support that keep my launches running smoothly. From payment tracking and onboarding emails to private podcasts and implementation weeks, I’m sharing the surprisingly unglamorous — but incredibly important — details that make a group program work. Inside this episode, we talk about: The three key support roles that help my launches run smoothlyWhy simple systems are often better than complicated onesThe onboarding details that create a better client experienceHow we manage calendars, reminders, and communicationWhy Implementation Weeks have become one of my favorite parts of the programThe “tiny moving pieces” most people don’t think about when creating a group programWhat helped me finally stop drowning in admin workListen now and get a behind-the-scenes look at what actually supports a successful launch. Click this link to get 2 months free of Hello Audio: https://buy.stripe.com/bIY8xM2ax9zwgMw4gh?prefilled_promo_code=BRENNA Your Next Steps: Want to plan your next launch in seconds? Grab my free AI Launch Calendar 🔹 Let’s work together! Book a strategy call 🔹 Join the Behind the Launch Facebook Group 🔹 Connect on Instagram Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by: ⭐Hit the “follow” button! This keeps you in the loop, and you’ll be the first to get notified when the next episode drops!

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About

Before the Launch is your go-to shortcut for what to say and do — and how to warm up your audience — so they’re already nodding “yes” before you ever pitch a thing.If you're tired of guessing what content actually moves the needle, this podcast pulls back the curtain on what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to generating demand before the cart opens.Each short, unfiltered episode gives you the messaging, content strategy, and buyer psychology insight you need to make your next launch feel less like a scramble—and more like a sell-out.Because launch success doesn’t start with a sales page.It starts way before the launch.

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