Before the Launch with Brenna McGowan – Details, episodes & analysis

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 real purpose behind each week of your pre-launch

• Why 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 doors

• A simple tactic to future-pace your audience so they’re clamoring to buy your stuff

Listen 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

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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 (and why most people get it wrong)

• Why you’re selling your process, not your program

• The #1 mindset shift that makes launches feel less like convincing

• How to get started with just a calendar and a few key dates

Listen now to rethink how you prep for your next launch!

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!

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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 launch strategies: the Consideration Phase. It’s that in-between moment when your audience is deciding whether or not they’re even interested. And it’s where early sales can happen—if you know what to say.

I also share my journey from social media manager to in-demand copywriter and launch strategist, and what inspired me to create this show. You’ll hear about the common content mistakes, how to fix them, and what I’ll be covering each week—from visibility and messaging to pre-launch mindset shifts.

Expect quick riffs, no fluff, and a whole lot of honesty.

You’ll also discover:

• Why launch success starts way before the sales page

• How strategic messaging gets people ready to buy

• Why pre-launch content can make sales feel easy

👉 Tune in now to learn how to position yourself (and your offer) for a smoother, more successful launch.

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!

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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 actually lead to sales.

Here’s what you’ll uncover during this episode :

• Why waitlists often don’t mean buyer intent

• The psychology of perceived progress (and how it works against you)

• The big problem with waitlists that most people don’t realize

• What an interest list can do that a waitlist can’t

• How one client sold 55% of their program months ahead of launch

Listen now to get the scoop on your revised “waitlist” strategy. 

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!

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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 quick test to trim the fluff and keep your reader hooked

• What to do with good writing that doesn’t serve the story

• The recommendation I make to every student of mine when writing marketing emails

• How my disastrous hike in Yosemite National Forest turned into a copywriting lesson

🎧 Listen now for a behind-the-scenes peek at editing storytelling emails!

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!

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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 Launch, and why I treat it differently from a straight-up sales event.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• 4 questions to ask yourself when trying to determine when to launch after an event

• The difference between list-building vs. conversion events

• Why “it depends” is actually a strategic answer

• How offer alignment changes your post-event launch plan

• What to consider if your offer is higher ticket

• When a full pre-launch before your launch makes more sense

🎧 Listen now to make your post-event strategy work for you!

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!

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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 hear in this episode:

• Why being “precious” with your content might be slowing you down

• How to stop overthinking and start posting

• The one mindset shift that makes content creation easier

• Why knowing *this* one thing makes consistent content feel more effortless

• Why you shouldn’t re-record that video where you have a double chin:)

🎧 Listen now to hear how creating more content is actually easier than creating less

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!

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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 helps you decide exactly what to talk about

• When to pitch your offer (hint: it’s later than you think)

• How subtle offer mentions do the heavy lifting

🎧 Listen now for a behind-the-scenes peek at how I teach this to my students!

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:

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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 not to feel so stressful

• How pre-selling lightens the load (and builds your confidence early)

• What to do when your cart opens... and crickets

• Rituals and routines that keep you grounded no matter what’s happening during your promo period

• The sneaky way comparison and innocent questions drain your energy—and how to stop it

✨ Listen now to learn how to create your biggest launch yet without crashing once your promo is done! 

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!

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 Overview sets the foundation for every launch and for selling any offer 

• The 3 components it has to have

• The biggest mistake most people make when writing it

• What words like “burnout” are actually hiring your sales—and what to do instead

• Why this piece of copy has to come first—before your sales page, your emails, even your pre-launch content

If you feel like your message isn’t clicking with the right people, this could be the missing piece.

🎧 Listen now—then come hang out with me live on September 9th where I’ll help you craft yours inside a special workshop! 

🎟️ Grab your $27 seat →brennamcgowan.co/outstanding-offer-overview

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!