Before the Launch with Brenna McGowan

I’m keeping it real this week with a behind-the-scenes look at a sales call I completely fumbled during my last launch. Even as someone who's done a ton of these, I made 4 key mistakes that cost me—and I don’t want you to do the same. In this episode, I walk through exactly what went wrong, what I should’ve done differently, and how you can show up more prepared, confident, and in control of your...

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Emily Reagan to unpack the three must-know launch trends we’re seeing in today’s shifting market—and spoiler alert: these aren’t your typical “just post more on Instagram” kind of tips. From understanding your buyer’s mindset to ditching tired strategies like waitlists, this conversation is full of insights that’ll help you launch smarter—not harder....

Are you afraid of being too pushy or “salesy” — and possibly missing out on sales? In this episode, I’m talking about the easiest way to increase conversions during your launch—social selling (aka one-on-one conversations). Whether it’s in the DMs or through email, this tactic is the grassroots tactic that can catapult your next launch or promotion.  I’m breaking down what “social selling” ac...

Have you ever wondered if you should drop your price on your course, program, or offer?  This week, I’m diving into why launches don’t always meet our expectations and why “lower your price” isn’t always the best next move. I’m breaking down a real-life launch story and sharing my honest take on what to do instead of creating another lower-ticket offer. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why you might...

I sat down with Steffeny Feld, a therapist and copywriter who supports fellow therapists in designing and marketing VIP-style intensives. She joined the Pre-Launch Plan Program even though she couldn’t make any of the coaching calls, ended up tweaking her offer, and went on to sell out!  In this episode, Steffeny shares how the right structure and strategy gave her clarity, confidence, and be...

Ever wondered if you could sell out a program without a big launch, fancy sales page, or a single ad? In this episode, I chat with my hilarious and brilliant friend Laura Belgray about how she filled 80% of her mastermind with what she calls “the least launchy launch ever.” We break down her ultra-simple (and totally effective) approach to gauging interest, building demand, and filling spots—all b...

What do Taylor Swift, Alex Hormozi, and blockbuster movies have in common? They all master the art of pre-launching—and in today’s episode, I’m breaking down what your next offer launch can learn from the silver screen. I’m sharing how open loops, trailers, and strategic buzz-building can take the stress off launch day while bringing in perfect-fit buyers—before your offer even goes live. In this...

If you’re skipping straight to your sales page or cranking out launch emails, you have to listen to this first!  In this episode, I’m breaking down the single most important piece of copy you need before you write anything else —your Outstanding Offer Overview . This one-to-two sentence statement is the North Star for your entire launch. Here’s what I’m diving into: Why your Outstanding Offer...

Why You Shouldn’t Trust AI with Your Launch Strategy (Even If It Sounds Convincing) In this episode, I get into the real reason why putting your launch strategy in AI’s hands might be the worst move you can make—and what to do instead. Yes, I use AI every day, and yes, I even tested it to see if it could recreate my own strategy… but the results? Let’s just say, it missed the mark. If you’ve ever...

Should you reuse pre-launch content in future launches? This week, I’m answering a great question from a listener who asked if you can reuse your pre-launch content for future launches.  The short answer is yes, but the longer answer is: It depends on HOW you use it.  In this episode, I share how to evaluate what’s working (and what’s not), how to tweak versus toss your content, and why...

Let’s be real—burnout and launching are often synonymous. Which is why in this episode, I’m answering a great question from my Facebook group: How do you deal with burnout during a launch? (Spoiler: It’s not about eliminating stress completely!) Here’s what I cover: Why setting realistic expectations is the first step to launch sanity One thing you have to have in place order for your next launch...

In this episode, I’m answering a listener's question about podcasting during pre-launch: what to talk about, when to pitch, and how to make it all count. Whether you’re launching soon or just planning ahead, this episode will help you turn your podcast into strategic pre-launch content. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why your podcast should become your weekly “pillar content” The one question that help...

Should You Launch Right After Your Event? It Depends… Ever wondered if you should pitch right after your summit, challenge, or bundle? I get this question all the time, and today I’m breaking down why the answer isn’t so simple. In this episode, I explain the real questions you should ask yourself before launching after an event. I also share the approach I take with my own summit, Behind the Laun...

In this episode, I’m sharing a surprising discovery: How I started posting to Instagram 5x a week and my content production actually became easier!  After diving into a 90-day visibility challenge and ramping up my content, I realized something huge—perfection was holding me back. So I’m unpacking how content volume plus clarity can create serious traction with your content.  What you’ll...

A question I get all the time? “How long should my emails be?”  Hint: You don't need to write shorter emails, but you do need to write tighter ones. During this episode I share about how to edit your marketing emails to convey your message, keep your audience engaged, and increase your email replies. You’ll also hear about: Why writing less isn’t always the answer for more engaging emails A q...

In this episode, I’m diving into a spicy topic—why I don’t believe in waitlists during a pre-launch for most. Waitlists might seem like a smart strategy, but I’ll show you why they often don’t convert the way we expect — and what you can do instead to warm up your buyers before the launch even starts. Let’s rethink how we’re gathering interest and get strategic about starting conversations that ac...

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 be The...

In this episode of Before the Launch , I’m diving into the most misunderstood part of launching—yep, the pre-launch. I break down exactly what a pre-launch is (spoiler: it’s not just a waitlist or vague teaser), why it’s crucial for your results, and how to set one up that builds anticipation and warms up buyers before your offer even drops. What you’ll learn: The real definition of a pre-launch (...

The One Phase You're Probably Skipping in Your Launch Strategy Let’s be real for a moment: most online business owners rush from warm-up content straight into selling. Emails, posts, podcast episodes—they’re all good until they suddenly shift into sales mode and then — crickets. That’s exactly why I created Before the Launch .  In this very first episode, I down the missing link in most launc...