Should You Launch Your Course During The Holidays?🎄🎁 Here’s How To Decide
You have a new online course or membership site ready to go, and you’re trying to decide on the perfect launch date. As you look at the calendar, you see a gap between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. But should you launch during the holidays?
Most people would say no. They’ll argue that people are too busy this time of year. So, waiting until January seems like the safe bet. But depending on your audience and offer, the holidays could actually be the perfect time to launch.
Why launching in December feels like a mistake
The holiday season is a busy time. Between year-end tasks, social events, and family obligations, it can be hard to promote a new offer. If you're targeting corporate professionals, for example, many decision-makers are out of the office or focused on closing the books.
However, not every audience behaves the same way. While many people are busy, others are reflecting on the past year and thinking about changes that will help them start fresh in January.
In fact, about one-third of U.S. adults make New Year’s resolutions every year. The most common resolutions include saving money, improving health, and focusing on personal growth. This creates a great opportunity for businesses to reach motivated individuals who are ready to make a change.
Programs that perform well during the holidays
Here’s when a holiday launch could make sense for your business:
Health and fitness programs: People are thinking about New Year's resolutions and want to start the year feeling healthier and stronger.
Financial education courses: Holiday spending makes people aware of their money habits and motivates them to get their finances in order.
Productivity and organization systems: The new year triggers a desire to declutter, get organized, and create better systems.
Career development for individuals: Professionals are reflecting on the past year and planning their next career move without needing corporate approval.
Relationship or parenting programs: Extra family time highlights areas where people want to grow and improve their connections.
Mindfulness and spiritual growth: The reflective nature of the season makes people open to inner work and personal transformation.
When January is your better option
A January launch might be a better fit if you’re offering:
Programs requiring corporate budget approval: Finance departments are closed, and decision-makers may be unavailable until the new fiscal year starts.
High-intensity programs with immediate start dates: People want to enjoy their time off, not dive into demanding coursework right away.
Anything targeting industries in their busiest season: Retail workers, hospitality staff, accountants, and event planners are swamped and unreachable.
Group coaching with required live attendance: People are traveling and can't commit to showing up for scheduled sessions during family time.
Complex technical training requiring deep focus: It's hard to concentrate on intensive learning while managing holiday chaos and distractions.
Anything needing team collaboration: Getting groups of people together for decisions is nearly impossible during the holidays.
Finding the right timing for your offer
Deciding whether to launch during the holidays comes down to three key factors: your offer, your audience, and your personal capacity. To figure out if it’s right for you, consider these questions:
Does your offer align with a New Year’s mindset? If your course helps people with resolutions like health, finance, or personal growth, a December launch can capture them when they're most motivated.
Is your target audience available? If your ideal client is a professional reflecting on their career, they might be open to your offer. But if you sell to corporate teams or retail workers, they're likely too busy.
Do you have the energy for a launch? Promoting a new offer takes work. Be realistic about your own holiday schedule and stress levels. A rushed, stressful launch is unlikely to succeed.
Build a launch plan that works for you
Choosing the right launch date is about understanding your audience, aligning with their needs, and planning around your own capacity. Whether you decide to launch during the holidays or wait until the new year, success comes down to preparation. Create a clear strategy, map out your promotional activities, and make sure you’re ready to deliver value.
If you’d like help creating a launch plan tailored to your goals and timeline, let’s work together. Reach out and build a strategy that sets your business up for success.