Launches happen. That's true both in the startup world and in the corporate world. Sometimes they're quiet (when you sneakily release a feature and slowly apply it to your whole user population), and sometimes they're very loud (we've launched! sign up now for a first-day 50% discount today only!).
No matter what your development process, if you build cool stuff for a living, at some point you will launch something, and then all hell will break loose. Paraphrasing Michael Lopp: Launching a product isn't going to kill you, but it will try.
Here are Erin Bury's tips on how to survive:
- Make sure all hands are on deck before, during and after.
- Know that you will encounter technical difficulties.
- Know that some people will attack and criticise you.
- Make it easy for people to share their feedback and set aside time to respond.
- Don't miss the PR opportunity.
- Spread the word to the network of founders and customers that you know.
The last one is a great point. Don't just launch online - tell everyone else too.
