Before the Launch with Brenna McGowan

Launching is changing… but maybe not in the way you think. In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between changing your entire launch strategy and refining what’s already working. Because if you’re an experienced business owner, chances are you’re not making one giant marketing mistake. You might already be 80% of the way there.  It’s that last 20%—the messaging, specificity, inten...

In this episode, I’m sharing 3 things I’d tell you about your launch if I wasn’t afraid to hurt your feelings. And warning: these aren’t beginner mistakes. They’re blind spots I see with smart, experienced business owners who know their audience, know marketing, and have launched before. Sometimes that experience is exactly what makes these things harder to spot. In this episode, you’ll hear:...

Annemarie, an experienced business, came into the Pre-Launch Plan Program frustrated with her membership sales. After revisiting her messaging, looking closely at where her sales were actually coming from, and becoming more intentional about her pre-launch, saw a 214% increase in sales — while stepping away from Instagram and Facebook. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why struggling sales don’t autom...

What if the actual launch isn’t where most of the selling should happen? In this episode, I’m sharing why I think launching can be a little boring. And that’s actually a good thing. By the time you open the doors to your offer, your audience should have already made a series of smaller decisions that make the final “yes” feel like the natural next step.  I’m breaking down what this means for...

You’re sending emails. You’re nurturing your audience. You’ve got a waitlist. Maybe you’re inviting people to a webinar or talking about your upcoming offer. So… you’re pre-launching, right? Maybe. But maybe not. In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions I see around pre-launch marketing — and why simply “doing the things” before your launch doesn’t mean those things are...

I actually had a completely different podcast episode recorded for today…and then I scrapped it. Why? Because I keep hearing a few misconceptions about pre-launch that are driving me a little crazy!  In this episode, you'll hear: Why thinking “they were going to buy anyway” about a pre-launch misses a huge part of buyer psychology The 3 beliefs your audience needs before they're ready to buy...

Ever feel like you’re putting more work into your launches only to get the same—or worse—results? I see this with both newer businesses and million-dollar businesses. When the strategies that used to work stop producing the same results, the instinct is often to do more. But what if you don’t need to work harder? What if you need to check whether you’re still heading in the right direction? In thi...

What does the mafia have to do with your marketing? More than you might think. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why patience might be one of the most underrated parts of your launch What an FBI agent can teach you about buyer readiness The difference between pushing someone toward a sale and creating an environment where they want to move closer The question to ask yourself if you want your marketing...

In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my own upcoming launch and sharing exactly what I'm doing over the next six weeks to prepare. From affiliate outreach and voice of customer research to planning content and refreshing messaging, I'm walking you through the pre-launch activities that create momentum before you ever make an offer.  I'm also introducing a simple framework that...

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 hea...

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 hea...

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 hea...

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 hea...

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 epis...

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 sac...

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 calendar How students...

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 promoti...

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...

I’m doing something that I’ve never really done before in my business: saying NO.  Why am I telling you about it? Because I think this conversation will help you understand why your dream collaborators may not be saying yes, even when your event or opportunity is genuinely good. If you’ve ever wanted more podcast interviews, bigger partnerships, or stronger visibility opportunities, this epis...

I recently wrapped a launch that brought in a 94% increase in sales compared to my previous one, and I made one simple change that I think made a massive difference. In this episode, I’m breaking down the fast-action bonus strategy I tested for the first time, why it worked so well, and how it created urgency without making people feel pressured into buying.   If you’ve been wondering ho...

How should you approach a pre-launch if you’re selling something on evergreen? That’s what I’m breaking down in this episode!  Listen in to find out: Why most people are not ready to buy the first time they see your offer What to do with the people who say “not yet” in your funnel How pre-launch principles work inside evergreen marketing Why you should still do a “launch” even if you’re selli...

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about why pre-launch works so well—and honestly, it’s not just about strategy or content.  It comes down to something much simpler (and more human): autonomy. In this episode, I’m breaking down why giving your audience space to make their own decisions actually leads to more sales, better clients, and way less stress in your launches. Inside this episode: Why...

If you’ve ever been in the middle of a pre-launch and thought, “Is anyone even paying attention?” — this episode is for you.  I’m sharing why quiet doesn’t mean your launch isn’t working, and what’s actually happening behind the scenes when your audience isn’t engaging. Hint: Your best buyers might be the ones saying nothing at all. In this episode, I cover: Why 70–90% of buyers are “silent l...

If you’ve ever launched something and thought, “Why aren’t more people buying?”— this episode is going to hit home. I’m breaking down the real reason your audience might be engaging with everything you post, but still not converting.  Spoiler: it’s probably not your sales page. We’re talking about the 3 beliefs every buyer needs before they say yes — and why most people are trying to build th...

I want to talk about one of the most overlooked (but powerful) parts of your pre-launch strategy: your why . In this episode, I’m breaking down why your story matters so much before you sell — and how to use it in a way that builds trust, creates connection, and makes people want to buy without feeling like you’re convincing them. In this episode, I cover: Why your “why” is essential in your pre-l...