Free · 8 steps · comment LAUNCH
Idea to Launch Checklist
Eight steps, eight prompts, from an idea in your head to a launch date. Written for Claude, works in the AI you already use.
Do them in order. Open a box to see what you finish with and what you need, then open the step for its prompt.
The steps
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A sceptical research note and ten questions for real customers.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: A one-page research note: who has the problem, how they solve it today, who else serves them, and what they already pay, with a source next to every number.
Why: You're checking that real people have this problem badly enough to act on it, which is far cheaper to find out now than after you've built something. One warning: AI will confidently make up market-size figures. Don't use any number unless you've opened the source yourself.
Done when: You've spoken to at least five real potential customers, and every number in your research note has a source you've checked yourself.
What you need
- Your idea, who it's for and where you are
Connect these for better results
- Web search (Built into Claude (switch it on in the chat))Big differenceFinds real local competitors and current prices with links, instead of ranges marked [VERIFY]. Still open every source yourself.
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Your idea turned into one clear, priced offer.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: One sentence that defines your offer: who it's for, what they get, how it's delivered, the price you'll test, and what it doesn't include.
Why: A vague idea can't be priced, explained or sold. An offer can, and every step after this one depends on it.
Done when: You can say your offer in one sentence, and someone who fits the description understands it without a follow-up question.
What you need
- Your research note and what real customers told you
- What you can deliver right now, and your time
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Name ideas, voice rules, colours and fonts on one page.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: A one-page brand sheet: a name shortlist, a one-line description, voice rules, two colour palettes and two font pairings to try.
Why: Branding at this stage is about being clear and consistent, not clever. A simple sheet stops you redesigning everything every time you post.
Done when: You've picked one name, checked it's available, and saved your brand sheet where you'll find it again.
What you need
- Your one-sentence offer
- Three words for the feel, and brands you like
Connect these for better results
- Canva (MCP connector)Sets the palettes and fonts up as a brand kit you can use straight away. Claude's built-in connector; check availability on your plan.
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One or two platforms, profiles written, first ten posts planned.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: One or two platforms chosen, profiles written, three content pillars, and your first ten posts planned.
Why: You don't need every platform. You need to be findable where your customers already look, and to show up often enough that they remember you.
Done when: Your profiles are live, and your first three posts are written and scheduled.
What you need
- Your offer and brand sheet
- Hours you have and what you're comfortable doing
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A logo brief, three directions and a draft to build.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: A logo brief, three concept directions, and one direction built as a working draft in a free design tool.
Why: You need something consistent on your profile, website and invoices. Be realistic about AI image tools: they give you a starting sketch, often with garbled lettering, so build the clean version yourself in a design tool, or hand the brief to a designer.
Done when: You have one logo that passes the test list, saved as a file you can put on your profile and invoices.
What you need
- Your name and brand sheet
Connect these for better results
- Canva (MCP connector)Builds a first draft of the chosen direction for you to finish. Claude's built-in connector; check availability on your plan.
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Everything so far, turned into your one-page brain file.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: A one-page brain file about your business, loaded into a Claude Project (or your AI's equivalent), that admits what it doesn't know.
Why: Without it, the AI writes for a generic business. With it, every prompt from here on starts from your offer, your customer and your rules, so you stop re-explaining yourself.
Done when: The file is saved in a Claude Project (or pasted at the top of your chats), and when you ask "What's our refund policy?" it tells you that you haven't said, instead of making one up.
What you need
- Your offer, research note, customer quotes and brand sheet
- The fill-in version Use the template
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A weekly job written up as a reusable Claude Skill.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: Three repeatable jobs set up as Claude Skills or saved prompts: the things you'll do every week.
Why: A good result once is luck. A job written down as a skill gets you the same quality every time, and it's the first thing you'll be able to hand to someone else.
Done when: You have three skills or saved prompts, each has passed its three test requests, and each is installed (Claude Code: .claude/skills/<name>/SKILL.md; Claude.ai: zip the folder and upload it under Settings > Capabilities > Skills, or paste it into a Project's instructions).
What you need
- A job you'll do every week and how you want it done
- One good example of the finished output, if you have it
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A dated launch plan with your first messages written.
Open itWhat it does
You finish with: A dated launch plan: who you'll tell, in what order, what you'll ask them to do, and how you'll know it's working.
Why: Launching is mostly telling the right people, one at a time, and asking clearly. A plan with dates stops you hiding behind one more round of polishing.
Done when: Your launch date is in the calendar, your first messages are written, and you've sent the first one.
What you need
- Your brain file Use the template
- A list of people you can contact directly
Connect these for better results
- Google Calendar (MCP connector)Puts the launch-week plan into your calendar as dated tasks. Claude's built-in connector; check availability on your plan.
Get the checklist by email, plus the walkthrough
I'll email you the checklist so it's saved, then a three minute screen recording of me running a step on a real idea. One question so I send you the right things.
Done. Your checklist is saved.
Your checklist is saved for you. It's waiting at the end, and it's in your inbox too.
Next, one more step. I'll take you there in a few seconds.
ContinueQuestions
- Do I need a finished idea before I start?
- No. Step 1 is research and step 2 turns a rough idea into a clear offer. A half-formed idea is the normal starting point.
- Which AI tool should I use?
- The prompts are written for Claude and work on its free plan. They also work in ChatGPT or any other chat AI, because they are plain instructions with brackets for your details.
- Can I trust AI for market research?
- Use it to organise your thinking and find questions to ask, not as a source of facts. Check any number it gives you, such as market size, against a source you can link to.
- How long does the checklist take?
- Each step is one sitting. Most people work through it over a week or two, one step at a time.
- What is Launch Lab?
- A three day live workshop where you work through these eight steps with me and a small group, and finish with your offer, brand, socials and launch plan done.
Already running a business? The Skills Codes List is the one for you.
What's next
Launch Lab
Launch Lab is three days where we do these eight steps with you, live. Bring the idea. Cohort 1.
Three live days. Research, offer, brand, socials, logo, your AI brain, skills and a launch plan, done with you.
- Next cohort
- 3 to 5 November 2026
- Price
- US$79 early bird until Saturday 31 October, 11:59pm Melbourne time, then US$99
- When
- 9am Melbourne (AEDT) each day. That is 2pm PT and 5pm ET the day before.