Get All Access for $5/mo

How to Turn Your Small List Into a Big Launch Plan a summit and grow your referrals list now.

By Kim Walsh Phillips

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Lorado | Getty Images

It's weird, and I'm not sure why our brain does this. We see someone else's success and think, "I can't do that because I haven't started yet." I mean, logically, this makes no sense. Everyone has a moment when they "start."

The good news is, when it comes to your course launch, it truly doesn't matter how small your list is right now. We've had students go from zero people on their list to a six-figure launch in less than a year using a key strategy that is waiting for your business right now.

Start with a summit launch

You've probably seen these in your newsfeed before. A bunch of speakers coming together for one online event. But perhaps you didn't realize that online summits are an ideal way to launch your online business. Why? Because you are able to grow your list and make online sales without having to spend money on ads or having a course yet.

Online summits are so powerful because you leverage the influence, authority and lists of others to serve your market and grow your own list. Simply make a list of the individuals you know who serve the same market as you but are not direct competitors to join you in an online event. And if you haven't done this before, you will be surprised by how many of them will say yes. Being in your summit gives them a chance to be exposed to a larger audience, just like you are.

Related: Be Firm In Your Zone of Genius

Your speakers will help grow your own list with warm referrals

Provide these influencers with sample emails and social media posts, making it easy for them to promote your event. My company is holding an upcoming Launch Secrets Livecast, providing each speaker with an individual post and a group post they can share with their following.

Your sales will come from selling the summit recordings on the thank you page of your summit registration and during your event. To increase the value of your recordings package, you can add in bonuses from the speakers that gives them another chance to get exposure and another reason for your attendees to purchase.

During your summit, you can also use the platform to garner one-on-one clients by offering a bonus strategy session with each recording purchase. During these strategy calls, get to know the needs of your prospects, what they would consider a win and if they are a good match for the services you offer. This is also a powerful way to uncover exactly what content you should have in your course to meet the needs of your niche.

The secret to getting the most out of your new list is not letting the list run cold

Plan ahead of to stay in touch with your summit list, offering valuable content at least once a week until you are ready to officially launch your own course. This way, when you do launch, you have a list of right-fit customers who already know, like and trust you and are eager to engage in your offering.

Related: The Treat Method

So when do you start growing your list and launching if you don't have a list and don't have a course? You start right now.

Kim Walsh Phillips

Founder and CEO of Elite Digital Group

Kim Walsh-Phillips is the award-winning speaker, author, podcaster and CEO of Elite Digital Group, a direct-response social media agency. Kim has brought in over a billion dollars through her clients with her laser focus on increasing their revenue through direct-response marketing. She is the co-author of No B.S. Guide to Direct Response Social Media Marketing (Entrepreneur Press 2015).  Kim also leads the top-ranked podcast, "Facebook Sales Strategies," on iTunes.  

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Business News

How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Transformed a Graphics Card Company Into an AI Giant: 'One of the Most Remarkable Business Pivots in History'

Here's how Nvidia pivoted its business to explore an emerging technology a decade in advance.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

Why Hearing a 'No' is the Best 'Yes' for an Entrepreneur

Throughout the years, I have discovered that rejection is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship, and learning to embrace it is crucial for achieving success.

Business News

Want to Start a Business? Skip the MBA, Says Bestselling Author

Entrepreneur Josh Kaufman says that the average person with an idea can go from working a job to earning $10,000 a month running their own business — no MBA required.