🚀 Course Launch Didn’t Go as Planned? Here’s How to Pivot Mid-Launch!

Ever had a course launch not go according to plan? 😅 In this behind-the-scenes launch debrief, I’m sharing what ACTUALLY happened during my launches last year—the unexpected strategies that worked, the ones that flopped, and how I pivoted mid-launch to turn things around.

Plus, I’ll break down:

✅ Strategies that surprisingly worked in 2024 for my online business

✅ What I’m experimenting with next for sustainable launching in 2025/ 2026

✅ How to adjust your strategy on the fly when sales aren’t rolling in

Whether you’re prepping for your first course launch or looking for smarter ways to launch without burnout, this video will give you real talk and actionable takeaways to help you adapt, experiment, and sell with confidence. 💻✨

🎯 Free Training – Learn how to create a high-converting website that makes sales for you!

Launching an online course in 2025? Buckle up—because it’s not as simple as hitting ‘publish’ and watching the sales roll in. This year, online course launches require strategy, adaptability, and a whole lot of resilience. If you’re planning a ThriveCart course launch or wondering how to launch an online course, you’re in the right place.

I’m here to give you a behind-the-scenes, no-fluff breakdown of my latest course launch—the wins, the struggles, and the mid-launch pivots that made all the difference. Whether you’re launching for the first time or refining your strategy, these insights will help you create a game plan that actually works.

My 2025 Course Launch: The Honest Truth

I won’t sugarcoat it—this was one of the hardest launches I’ve ever done. I had 24 hours left in my launch, zero sales, and a lot of self-doubt creeping in. But instead of calling it quits, I analyzed what was happening, made strategic pivots, and focused on long-term success.

The Backstory: From Evergreen to Live Launch

I originally created my course as an evergreen product—meaning it was always available. After investing in a high-ticket program to refine my offer, I launched it in May 2024 and…crickets. No sales. Not one.

So, I decided to live launch in September 2024, and I made three sales. A small win, but a win nonetheless! Over the next few months, I sold a few more on evergreen, leading me to believe that 2025 would be better. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t—at least not at first.

But I wasn’t alone. Many course creators, especially those in the website and branding space, struggled in late 2024. If you’re feeling like giving up, remember that this is a tough economic time. It’s not just you. However, there are ways to navigate this—and that’s exactly what we’ll dive into.

What I Did Mid-Launch to Improve Sales

1. Highlighted My Money-Back Guarantee

I had briefly mentioned my money-back guarantee in a small paragraph in one of my many launch emails. That was a mistake. In a market where buyers are more hesitant than ever, I needed to make this a focal point.

✅ What I did: I moved the guarantee front and center on my sales page with a clear CTA that linked to an FAQ section explaining it in detail.

2. Leveraged My Affiliates More Strategically

I already had a few affiliates in place, but they weren’t making much noise. So, I needed to give them a reason to push harder.

✅ What I did: I offered an additional $50 bonus (on top of their 30% commission) for any sale made in the final 24 hours. I also provided done-for-you email templates and Instagram story graphics to make it easy for them to promote.

3. Recognized That People Need More Time & Touchpoints

In 2025, consumers need more emails, more proof, and more reassurance before making a purchase. Someone in my industry shared that they used to convert customers after 18 emails—now it takes 24 emails or more.

✅ What I did: I doubled down on my email strategy, ensuring my messaging focused on social proof, testimonials, and urgency without feeling pushy.

Pre-Launch Strategy: What Worked Well

If you’re planning a course launch in 2025, the work starts long before your cart opens. Here’s what I did that helped build momentum:

1. Created a Pre-Launch Content Runway

I mapped out my content in Trello, focusing on blog posts, YouTube videos, and social media content that prepped my audience for my course.

✅ Key takeaway: Each piece of content should lead people to your course in some way—whether it’s addressing a pain point, offering a solution, or breaking down a concept your course expands on.

2. Promoted a Free Live Masterclass

I started marketing my live webinar about two weeks before my launch. Here’s what helped:

• A homepage banner and pop-up promoting the webinar
• A show-up live bonus (a Google Doc with 2025 website trends)
• A structured email sequence leading up to the event

✅ Key takeaway: Live webinars convert better than anything else because they build trust in real time.

What I’ll Do Differently Next Time

Not every launch goes perfectly, but every launch is a learning experience. Here’s what I plan to adjust for future launches:

1. Expand My Affiliate Network

Instead of relying on ads, I’d rather pay real people to promote my course. For my next launch, I’ll:

• Do email swaps with aligned business owners
• Be a guest on more podcasts
• Proactively reach out to potential affiliates

2. Offer a More Strategic Freebie

My current lead magnet is helpful but not directly tied to my course. I plan to create Canva mood board templates that align more with my training content.

3. Improve the Thank-You Page Experience

Adding a calendar invite after someone registers for my webinar will increase show-up rates. More attendees = more conversions.

Key Takeaways for Your 2025 Course Launch

1. Buyers are more hesitant than ever—make them feel safe.

• Offer a money-back guarantee (if you’re comfortable)
• Provide plenty of testimonials & proof
• Follow up more than you think you need to

2. Your content runway is just as important as your launch.

• Blog, YouTube, and social content should lead to your course
• The more people who know about your course ahead of time, the better

3. Affiliates & partnerships can make a huge difference.

• Work with people who already have your audience
• Give them templates & graphics to make promotion easy

4. Webinars still work—but they need strong follow-up.

• Incentivize showing up live
• Have a structured email sequence post-webinar

5. Stay flexible & make data-driven decisions.

• Track open & click-through rates
• Make changes mid-launch if necessary
• Remember, one bad launch doesn’t mean failure

Final Thoughts: Keep Going

Course launches are HARD. They require planning, patience, and the ability to pivot when things don’t go as expected. If you’re launching in 2025 and struggling, you are not alone.

💬 I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and let me know: What are you launching this year? How can I support you?

And if you want extra encouragement during your launch, I created a set of lock screens with motivational reminders—you can grab them here!

You’ve got this. 🚀

MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

🚀 Launch graphics for encouragement

✨ Moodboard Canva Challenge

👩‍💻 DIY your Squarespace Website Course

✓ Breakdown of the course I took

💸 My favorite platform for course creation

LET’S WORK TOGETHER!

👉 Book a 30 minute FREE discovery call for a new, high-converting website!