How to Make Product Launches Work at Scale


Hi Product people,

Have you ever considered how storytelling can be a game-changer in product management?

This week on Product Thinking, I sat down with Michael Dodsworth, the founder and CEO of Fanfare, to discuss how turning product launches into immersive experiences can captivate audiences and drive real-time insights.

"You don't just launch the product and expect people to find it and understand it. It's on you to educate them, to show them the value and to sell them on the product. Even if you have the best product, without the right narrative, it won't be successful."

Michael shared how critical storytelling is in product development and how it helps in rallying people towards a cause. We explored the power of creating a community feel through product launches and why it's essential to keep the customer's experience at the forefront.

I found Michael's thoughts on leveraging AI and staying nimble particularly insightful. It's a reminder of the importance of flexibility and continuous learning in our fast-paced industry.

Have you integrated storytelling into your product strategies? I'd love to hear your experiences. Reply to this email or join the conversation on LinkedIn!

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Apple | Spotify

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Until next time,

Melissa Perri

Founder Product Institute, Board Member, and Teacher

You'll hear us talk about:

  • 07:36 - The Power of Storytelling in Product Management

Michael Dodsworth explains the essential components of storytelling for product managers. He highlights the importance of simplifying stories to resonate with audiences and making them personal to leave a lasting impression.

  • 23:39 - Turning Product Launches into Immersive Experiences

Melissa and Michael discuss how brands can create engaging and immersive experiences during product launches. Michael shares strategies to avoid negative aspects of product drops and ensure a memorable customer journey.

  • 29:28 - Applying Launch Lessons to Software Products

Melissa asks Michael about translating product launch principles to software companies. Michael emphasizes the necessity of educating customers and having a clear narrative to drive the success of product launches in the tech industry.

Episode resources:

Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dodsworth/

Fanfare: https://fanfare.io/

Other Resources:

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