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Sean Lauer

AMA: Former MURAL Senior Director, Product Marketing, Sean Lauer on Product Launches


August 23, 2023 @ 10:00AM PT

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Sean Lauer

VP of Marketing · AUGMENTT

👋 Sean Lauer (Charlotte, NC)

💼 VP Marketing at Augmentt. Previously VP Marketing at Instruqt, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Mural, and Global Product Marketing at Twitter.

🧪 Currently deep in an ICP, positioning, and messaging refresh and loving the mix of strategy, customer insight, and wordsmithing

🤝 Always happy to chat: marketing, product marketing, positioning and messaging, GTM strategy, technical marketing, sales enablement, customer education, and product strategy

🍦 Favorite ice cream: One Sweet Whirled (RIP, Ben & Jerry’s… bring it back)
  1. Which KPIs do you track considering a product launch?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    It's important to track KPIs after launching a product to gain valuable insights into its initial performance and market reception. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind: Product adoption rate: This metric measures how quickly and extensively your target audience is adopting the new product. It can offer insights into whether the product is a good fit for the market. Churn rate: A lower churn rate post-launch is a good indication that customers are satisfied with the product and see its va ...Read More

    494 Views
    1 request
  2. What is your process for developing buyer personas for a new product launch?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    To ensure a successful product launch, it is important to create buyer personas that are tailored to your target audience. Here is a high level process for building these personas: Research and analysis: Conduct a market analysis to understand the industry landscape, trends, and potential customer segments. Engage directly with potential buyers or existing clients through surveys and interviews to uncover pain points, motivations, and needs. Gather insights from sales and customer support teams ...Read More

    643 Views
    1 request
  3. What is the best way to choose/prioritize channels for a product launch?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    When launching a product, it is important to choose the right channels to promote it. This involves using both data and strategy to make informed decisions. Here are some key factors to consider: Audience: Know your target audience and where they spend their time. This could include industry forums, LinkedIn, trade publications, or other niche platforms. Be present where your audience is. Historical performance: Analyze past performance data to identify channels that have generated high engageme ...Read More

    666 Views
    1 request
  4. What are the key areas that are important but often overlooked in a product launch/go to market? Why do you think these areas don't get the attention that it warrants?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    During a product launch, it's common for certain areas to be overlooked. Below are key areas that might be neglected and the reasons for their oversight: Customer education: It's easy to assume that a good product is intuitive, but providing educational resources like tutorials, webinars, and documentation can ease adoption and reduce churn. Sales enablement: Product teams might assume that a great product will sell itself, but sales teams need materials, training, and tools to effectively commu ...Read More

    601 Views
    1 request
  5. When you think about product launch, what post-launch activities are mission critical?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    After a product launch, the immediate period is crucial for ensuring the product's long-term success. The following are six key factors to consider during this phase: User onboarding: Equip users with resources (tutorials, documentation, etc.) to ensure seamless adoption. Collect feedback: Set up a system to quickly gather feedback from early adopters. This feedback can help identify unforeseen issues, provide insights for future improvements, and ensure long-term customer satisfaction. Analyze ...Read More

    545 Views
    1 request
  6. How do you evaluate your launch messaging when launching into a crowded market?

    If you have a multi-pronged value prop

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    When entering a competitive market, it's crucial to carefully evaluate your launch messaging to ensure maximum impact. There are three key factors to consider: Clarity and relevance - your message must be clear and address the primary pain points of your target audience. Avoid jargon and buzzwords that may confuse your value proposition. Differentiation - it's important to clearly articulate what sets your product apart from your competitors, highlighting unique features or benefits. Resonance a ...Read More

    1,211 Views
    2 requests
  7. How do you measure success when launching a second product? Are you focused on current customer adoption or new customer adoption?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    When introducing a second product, the success of its launch depends on how it fits into the company's existing offering. There are several factors to consider: If the second product complements the first, the focus should skew toward current customers and leverage the trust already established with them. If the second product targets a different audience segment or need, the emphasis should be on acquiring new customers. Metrics like Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), Customer Acquisition Cost (C ...Read More

    528 Views
    1 request
  8. Can you share the key differences between a B2C product launch vs a B2B product launch? It would also be helpful to get tips on executing the two launches

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    When launching a product, there are different approaches depending on whether the target audience is a business or individual consumer. B2C launches aim for broad appeal and emotional connections, while B2B launches focus on building relationships and understanding the specific needs and challenges of the industry. Please note that the following is a general overview and every situation may have unique nuances. It is important to understand that while there are distinct differences between B2B a ...Read More

    625 Views
    1 request
  9. How do you ensure a product is ready for launch to customers? What kind of customer feedback, beta or pilots would you recommend?

    Sean Lauer
    Sean Lauer

    AUGMENTT VP of Marketing | Formerly Instruqt, Mural, Twitter, Anheuser-Busch InBev • 2y

    Before launching a product, it's important to conduct thorough testing and validation. Gathering feedback from the target audience can reveal valuable insights that can be used to improve the product. When collecting feedback, focus on product functionality, overall experience, and perceived value. Closed alpha or beta tests with a select group of trusted customers or partners can uncover bugs, usability issues, or potential enhancements. It's important to include participants with a diverse ran ...Read More

    1,254 Views
    1 request