Before the Launch with Brenna McGowan

I got a listener question that hits on something so many people overthink: when should you actually run your launch event? In this episode, I’m walking through how to decide between list-building events, pre-launch content, and your actual launch timing (without defaulting to a one-size-fits-all strategy). Because the truth is, your audience (and how ready they are to buy) should be driving your d...

Sometimes I hear: “People aren’t buying high-ticket offers anymore.” So naturally, the response is to create something new – or cheaper. But what if that’s not actually the problem? In this episode, I’m breaking down why your offer likely isn’t the issue, and what to focus on instead if you want more sales without adding more complexity. In this episode, I share: Why lowering your price doesn’t ma...

What should your next business investment be?  In this episode, I’m breaking down how to decide what to invest in next without falling into the cycle of buying things that don’t actually move your business forward. We’re getting real about what actually drives growth –  and what just keeps you busy. In this episode, we cover: The difference between needing information vs. needing impleme...

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...

In this episode, I’m joined by Tess Masters, author of The Blender Girl cookbooks and founder of the Skinny 60 program. We talk about messaging, pre-launch planning, and the surprising mindset shifts that helped her double webinar conversions and create her best launch in 4 years while spending less on ads! In this episode we cover: The most important part of your next launch The power of a pre-la...

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...

When should you launch after hosting a summit or big list-building event? In this episode, I’m breaking down how I think about launch timing — and why I don’t sell directly off the back of my summit. I walk you through the phases of launching (including what I call the “pre-pre-launch” phase) and how to decide what makes sense for your audience. Because just because you can launch right away doesn...

I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to host a summit. In this episode, I’m sharing the parts I love (hello, list growth and collaboration energy) and the parts I don’t love (spoiler: it’s a lot of work). If you’ve ever wondered whether a summit is worth it—or you’re romanticizing the idea a little bit—this episode will give you the full picture. Here’s what we’re diving into:...

I get asked all the time about summits. “Should I host one?” “Should it be video or audio” “Are they still even worth it?” In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on Behind the Launch , my audio-first Voxer summit, and giving you the real talk on why I created it, what I did differently, and what I learned the hard way. This is part one of a two-part deep dive where I break down what works,...

In this episode, I’m sharing a major realization that’s reshaping how I (and my clients) approach launches in 2026. And that’s getting people in the room with you. From real-time coaching to live connection, there’s no better way to build trust in this skeptical buyer climate. I’ll walk you through what this can look like (spoiler: it doesn’t need to be complicated or perfectly scripted) and how y...

This week, we’re breaking down more launch trends for online businesses, and the great news is that “simplicity” is a common theme! The people getting the best results right now aren’t the ones adding more funnel steps, more platforms, or more emails. So what are they doing? In this episode, we’re unpacking: The “simpler than you think” launch setups that are converting right now (and why the extr...

My 2026 Launch Predictions (Part 1) In this episode, I’m sharing my top 5 launch predictions for 2026 based on 20+ behind-the-scenes conversations I recorded for Behind the Launch . This is Part 1 — and it’s basically a shortcut to what I think you should tweak before your next launch so you’re not relying on outdated strategies (or random marketing advice from 2020). In this episode, I’m breaking...

What’s one tool that can instantly improve the user experience of your webinar or launch event? A private podcast feed. In this episode, I’m sharing a small but powerful shift I’ve made in how I deliver launch replays—and why I’ll never go back. If you’ve ever had trouble getting people to listen to your launch event replays – or want to increase how many people are engaging with your launch event...

Ever felt like you're too old, not educated enough, or lacking a social media presence to grow your business? In this episode, I’m getting honest about the insecurities I had when I started—and how those same “flaws” became my biggest assets. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re qualified enough, this one's for you. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why turning 40 felt like a business roadblock—but was...

I get this question all the time: “How many emails is too many during a launch?” Spoiler: The answer is usually more than you're comfortable with. In this episode, I’m walking you through thoughts and strategy on email frequency during a promo, why unsubscribes aren’t the end of the world, and how to decide who should get your launch emails (segment? whole list? soft opt-out?). If you’ve ever worr...

You may have asked yourself, “Should I put my prices on my website?” And if you’ve ever worried that listing your price might scare people off, you’re not alone.  In this episode, I’m breaking down why being upfront with your pricing doesn’t just filter out the wrong clients—it actually helps convert the right ones. I’m sharing real-life stories (including my own $4K hesitation-turned-yes), h...

Pain Point Marketing Isn’t Dead—You Might Just Be Talking to the Wrong Person Is pain point marketing really “dead”? (Spoiler: it’s not.) In this episode, I’m pushing back on the hot-take that talking about pain is “manipulative” or “over.” I’m walking you through how to use pain ethically, empathetically, and strategically so your best-fit buyers feel seen, not shamed. We cover: Why “pain point m...

What do you do if your pre-launch overlaps with the holidays? In this episode, I’m sharing how to show up strategically (and sanely!) when everyone else is signing off. Just because people are sipping eggnog doesn’t mean they’re not watching. This is a prime time to stay top of mind—and I'm breaking down how to do it even during this busy time of year. Today we’re talking: Why holiday email opens...

What is Anticipation Marketing ® – and why do you need to start using it in your marketing? In this episode, I’m breaking down the four components that make up this approach — and why it matters if you want to create buyer desire before you ever open the cart. I’ll walk you through what I call the 4 A’s of Anticipation Marketing ® and how to use them to warm up your audience, reduce refunds, build...

The one piece of advice I give again and again when editing copy for my clients and students: You need more specificity. And while AI can churn out decent drafts, it often misses the emotional depth that truly connects. In this episode, I’m sharing how to identify “soulless” copy—and how to replace it with words your audience actually uses and feels so they take action.  This is about writing...

What’s your why ?  I ask this in nearly every pre-launch conversation, but today, I’m flipping the script and sharing my story. From feeling stuck at 40 and wanting more out of life to starting my business because I wanted eyelashes, I walk you through the twists and turns that led me to where I am today — and why I care so much about pre-launching. If you’ve ever struggled to articulate why...

It’s that time of year when everyone’s talking Black Friday—but do YOU actually want to run a sale? In this episode, I’m giving you a permission slip to rethink the rush, get honest about your business model, and plan from a place of strategy. Whether you’ve had big success in the past or you’re tempted to wing something last-minute, this episode will help you pause, assess, and decide what actual...

How Price Positioning Impacts Your Sales What if your pricing is silently guiding people away from the offer you actually want them to buy? In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of how I repositioned my VIP offer for the Pre-Launch Plan Program—after realizing my favorite, most successful, and most profitable clients were the ones I worked with most closely. If you've ever felt stuck...

What To Do When You Only Have A Short Window for a Pre-Launch Ever feel like you're way behind on prepping for your launch? You're not alone. I recently got a question from an email subscriber who only had two weeks before her cart opened, and she wasn’t sure what to focus on.  During this episode, I share the real talk on short pre-launch timelines and 6 questions to ask that will help you p...

In this episode, I share what worked (and what didn’t) in my most recent Pre-Launch Plan Program launch. You’ll hear: Why “multiple entry points” are a must in this launch environment How to make buying easier for different personality types The real reason flexibility builds trust in today’s “trust recession” How a simple “product tour” can reduce objections (and refunds!) The tweak I’m adding ne...