Advertise on podcast: The Warm Up with Kelsey McCormick

What if you could sell out your first launch without a big public campaign, an elaborate sales funnel, or even a traditional sales page? That's exactly what Olivia from Olive Street Studio did when she launched her first course using Instagram Close Friends — filling 10 beta spots in around three hours. In this episode of The Warm Up, Olivia shares how she went from running a design studio to building educational offers, and how a small, engaged community became the foundation for a repeatable launch strategy that eventually contributed to a $100K launch. We're getting into the actual process: how she invited people into Close Friends, shared valuable behind-the-scenes content, involved her audience in developing the course, and built demand before opening enrolment. We talk about: How Olivia filled her first 10 beta spots through Instagram Close FriendsWhy she spent weeks providing free value before introducing her offerUsing polls, questions and conversations to build something people actually wantLaunching a beta offer before the course was fully recordedHow she grew from 10 students in her first round to 43 in a later roundWhy showing up consistently between launches matters just as much as the launch itselfIf you've been putting off launching because you think you need a huge audience, a complicated funnel, or everything perfectly finished, this episode offers a very different way to approach it. Sometimes your next launch starts with a conversation, not a campaign. Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Creative campaign ideas and examples from breators and brands to use in your next launch⁠⁠⁠ A running list of the coolest launches I'm seeing on the internet, creative product and offer roll outs, and different techniques you can use to make your next launch stand out + sell more. You'll learn what they did, why it works, and how to apply it. Sign up, it's 100% free ↓ ⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/campaign⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How Hot Is Your Audience?⁠⁠⁠ You’ve been showing up, creating content, and talking about your offers… but is your audience actually getting closer to buying? By taking this quiz you'll discover:✅ Your current audience heat level (Are they ready to buy or still on the fence?)✅ What’s working—and what’s missing in your marketing strategy✅ Your next best step to turn lurkers into loyal customers Take the free quiz ↓ ⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/hotquiz

We’re in the Wild West of marketing — where newcomers are making multi-six figures on digital products, longtime experts are watching what used to work stop working, and AI has made everything sound exactly the same. So how do you actually launch in a moment like this? In this special episode, I’m hosting my annual Launch Roundtable with four brilliant Launch Your Own Way students: Amanda Millien (copywriter, Millien Media), Bryn Smith (brand + social strategist, Grey & Gold Creative), Nikki Maffey (Buzz & Banter Studios), and Lola Adewuya (founder of self-centered + The Brand Doula). We get honest about the good, the bad, and the messy middle of launching — and where campaigns are heading next. We cover why “post and pray” doesn’t cut it anymore, how to weave real storytelling into a launch (without the generic “build in public” stuff), why small businesses can run campaigns as creative and bold as the big brands, and how to make marketing feel like a creative practice instead of another to-do list. Plus: how to know if you’re ready to launch (spoiler: ready is a decision, not a feeling), how to craft an offer that’s recognizably yours in the age of AI, why you should launch at least twice, and how to run a campaign for two different audiences without splitting yourself in two. Whether you’re prepping your first launch or your fifteenth, this one will remind you why trying is cool again. 🌹 🚀 Doors are OPEN for Launch Your Own Way! Ready to build an audience that's excited to buy and a launch strategy that actually works for you? Come join us! Explore Launch Your Own Way → ⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow

We're bringing a guest podcast to your feed today! Kelsey guested on Sara from Between The Lines Copy's podcast Point of the Story. On it, they discussed why the warm up is so important, ways to do it, why there's no one-size-fits-all advice when it comes to launch campaigns, and why now is the most important time to start campaigning your offers. Listen and make sure you check out more of Sara's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/34IOf0EUcVdln4X5hQbEYZ?si=cc712c5db42c41a5 🚀 Doors are OPEN for Launch Your Own Way! Ready to build an audience that's excited to buy and a launch strategy that actually works for you? Come join us! Explore Launch Your Own Way → https://cominguproses.co/lyow

After 10+ years of launching — from my agency days to building a six-figure launch and helping hundreds of creatives bring their offers to life — I've learned a thing or two about what actually makes a launch work. And spoiler: it's not just having an incredible offer or the perfect launch plan. In this solo episode, I'm sharing five of the biggest (and sometimes most uncomfortable) lessons I've learned about launching, selling, and showing up for your business. The stuff that doesn't always make it into those shiny success stories online. We're talking: Why a brilliant offer isn't enough to sell out your launchWhy your first launch doesn't need to be a massive successThe gap between having a strategy and actually executing itThe uncomfortable truth about self-sabotage and consistencyWhy YOU are always your best case studyIf you've been over-perfecting behind the scenes, avoiding visibility, or ready to give up after one quiet Instagram post... this one's for you. 🚀 Doors are OPEN for Launch Your Own Way! Ready to stop winging your launches and start building a repeatable way to sell your offers? Come join us for the latest intake! Explore Launch Your Own Way → https://cominguproses.co/lyow Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Creative campaign ideas and examples from breators and brands to use in your next launch⁠⁠ A running list of the coolest launches I'm seeing on the internet, creative product and offer roll outs, and different techniques you can use to make your next launch stand out + sell more. You'll learn what they did, why it works, and how to apply it. Sign up, it's 100% free ↓ ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/campaign⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How Hot Is Your Audience?⁠⁠ You’ve been showing up, creating content, and talking about your offers… but is your audience actually getting closer to buying? By taking this quiz you'll discover:✅ Your current audience heat level (Are they ready to buy or still on the fence?)✅ What’s working—and what’s missing in your marketing strategy✅ Your next best step to turn lurkers into loyal customers Take the free quiz ↓ ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/hotquiz

What does it actually look like to show up online as an introvert, a perfectionist, and a recovering overthinker... without it feeling icky or forced? In this episode, I'm joined by current Launch Your Own Way student Bryn Smith, the brand strategist + social media storyteller behind Grey & Gold Creative. Bryn went from burnt-out corporate marketer to building a brand people instantly recognise — all on the back of one idea: being "confidently messy." We get into the good stuff: how she found her point of view (by accident), her "plotlines" method for weaving your real life into your content, why blending the personal + professional beats hyper-niching, and the mindset shifts that finally made launching feel light instead of heavy. If you've ever morphed into a totally different "sales person" the second you had something to sell, this one's for you. Grab Bryn’s free resources to help bring your brand + content to life ↓ Messy Middle Content Swipe FileBrand World Vision Planner Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Creative campaign ideas and examples from breators and brands to use in your next launch⁠⁠ A running list of the coolest launches I'm seeing on the internet, creative product and offer roll outs, and different techniques you can use to make your next launch stand out + sell more. You'll learn what they did, why it works, and how to apply it. Sign up, it's 100% free ↓ ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/campaign⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How Hot Is Your Audience?⁠⁠ You’ve been showing up, creating content, and talking about your offers… but is your audience actually getting closer to buying? By taking this quiz you'll discover:✅ Your current audience heat level (Are they ready to buy or still on the fence?)✅ What’s working—and what’s missing in your marketing strategy✅ Your next best step to turn lurkers into loyal customers Take the free quiz ↓ ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/hotquiz

If you’ve been posting and posting… and wondering why TF it’s not converting, this episode is for you. I sat down with Vix Meldrew to talk all things visibility: from trial reels and evergreen content to building top-of-funnel volume that actually leads to sales. We get into: What type of content brings the right people inHow to avoid burnout when you’re trying to growWhy more reach ≠ more money (and what to do instead)This convo is packed with real-talk, zero BS, and loads of tactical nuggets you can apply straight away. Whether you’re trying to revive a cold audience or double down on what’s working, this one’s a must-listen. Learn more about Vix: @vixmeldrew Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Creative campaign ideas and examples from breators and brands to use in your next launch⁠⁠ A running list of the coolest launches I'm seeing on the internet, creative product and offer roll outs, and different techniques you can use to make your next launch stand out + sell more. You'll learn what they did, why it works, and how to apply it. Sign up, it's 100% free ↓ ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/campaign⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How Hot Is Your Audience?⁠⁠ You’ve been showing up, creating content, and talking about your offers… but is your audience actually getting closer to buying? By taking this quiz you'll discover:✅ Your current audience heat level (Are they ready to buy or still on the fence?)✅ What’s working—and what’s missing in your marketing strategy✅ Your next best step to turn lurkers into loyal customers Take the free quiz ↓ ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/hotquiz

In this Q&A episode, I’m answering listener questions that hit on some of the realest parts of launching—like what to do when no one signs up + how to stand out in a saturated market. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how much to share online or how to craft an offer that actually feels like you—this one’s for you. Q1: Should I share when no one buys from my launch? Will that ruin my credibility? Q2: I’m a designer—how do I create a unique offer when everyone seems to be doing the same thing? Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP⁠ ⁠Creative campaign ideas and examples from breators and brands to use in your next launch⁠ A running list of the coolest launches I'm seeing on the internet, creative product and offer roll outs, and different techniques you can use to make your next launch stand out + sell more. You'll learn what they did, why it works, and how to apply it. Sign up, it's 100% free ↓ ⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/campaign⁠ ⁠How Hot Is Your Audience?⁠ You’ve been showing up, creating content, and talking about your offers… but is your audience actually getting closer to buying? By taking this quiz you'll discover:✅ Your current audience heat level (Are they ready to buy or still on the fence?)✅ What’s working—and what’s missing in your marketing strategy✅ Your next best step to turn lurkers into loyal customers Take the free quiz ↓ ⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/hotquiz

Most launch copy falls flat because it’s just… too broad. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down how to write magnetic messaging that actually sells (without sounding like everyone else online). If you’ve ever struggled to describe what you do without slipping into generic coach-speak, this one’s for you. We talk about: Why broad messaging = cold audience (and how to fix it)The 3-part messaging framework I use in every launch (Empathy, Transformation, Point of View)Real examples of what to say (and what to skip)How to attract the right people without attracting desperation Plus: I’m giving you access to my messaging tool (usually only inside LYOW!) to help you audit and upgrade your copy today: https://ginger-wire-5ca.notion.site/The-Warm-Up-Offer-Messaging-Template-18f109dd21048055adbef328c7719e20?source=copy_link Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP Creative campaign ideas and examples from breators and brands to use in your next launch A running list of the coolest launches I'm seeing on the internet, creative product and offer roll outs, and different techniques you can use to make your next launch stand out + sell more. You'll learn what they did, why it works, and how to apply it. Sign up, it's 100% free ↓ https://cominguproses.co/pages/campaign How Hot Is Your Audience? You’ve been showing up, creating content, and talking about your offers… but is your audience actually getting closer to buying? By taking this quiz you'll discover:✅ Your current audience heat level (Are they ready to buy or still on the fence?)✅ What’s working—and what’s missing in your marketing strategy✅ Your next best step to turn lurkers into loyal customers Take the free quiz ↓ https://cominguproses.co/pages/hotquiz

Let’s break this all the way down. This episode isn’t just a “look what I did” moment... it’s the full debrief on how I actually got there. I hit $100K in my latest launch… not because I had the biggest audience or ran some flashy funnel… but because I gave myself space to warm people up properly. In this episode, I’m sharing what I did differently this time, what actually moved the needle, and what I’ll never skip again. Here’s what we get into: Why starting earlier (even by accident) changed everythingThe free workshop that built my waitlist without burning me outMy low-key DM strategy that turned into goldmine-level messagingWhat it really looks like to work in public and get people invested earlyThe mindset work I did behind the scenes that made $100K feel inevitable If your launches feel rushed, quiet, or just… flat, this is the episode I wish I had sooner. This is proof that slower, softer, trust-first launches work. And that warm-up is the whole game. Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP

In this Q&A episode, I'm answering questions about building momentum before a launch... especially when your audience is small, cold, or you’re worried you’re talking about your offer way too much. If you’re gearing up to launch and wondering how to get people paying attention without feeling like a total nag, this one’s for you. Q1: How to Build a Waitlist from Zero (Even with a Small or Cold Audience) Q2: Should You Push the Launch or Wait? Q3: Is Nurturing Just Nagging? Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP

This one's for the creative business owners who feel like they've lost their spark a bit. Maybe you’ve taken a break, had a life season shift, or things just aren’t flowing the way they used to. In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to rebuild momentum when you’re in a low season... and the small shifts I’ve made that are actually working. We talk about: Letting go of perfection and “all or nothing” energyHow to create content when you don’t feel like an expertWhat’s helping me feel like me again in businessWhy rebuilding confidence is the secret ingredient to your next growth spurt This isn’t a rah-rah “get back on the horse” episode. It’s gentle, honest, and real. If you’ve been feeling stuck or creatively flatlined… this one’s for you. Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP

Forget the AI-generated hard sell emails flooding your inbox. In this episode, we're breaking down the exact emails that drove high open rates and conversions during a recent launch warm-up campaign (before doors even opened). You'll learn: How to split your email list strategically (general, warm, and waitlist)The difference between warm-up emails and launch emails (and why timing matters)Specific email types that got 30-40+ clicks, including strategy breakdowns, curriculum guides, and bonus revealsWhy giving away social proof and addressing objections earlier than you think is crucialHow to use activation events and audits to build trust before asking for the saleThe art of frontloading value so people are ready to buy when doors open Plus, we dive into why trust-building (not convincing) should be your primary goal during the warm-up period, and how having real conversations with your audience will write your emails for you. If you're tired of generic launch formulas and want to create email campaigns that feel as good as the revenue they generate, this episode is for you. Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP

In this Q&A-style episode, I answer three juicy listener questions about launching and selling with more sustainability and ease. If you’re building a creative business and wondering how to maintain momentum without constantly being in launch mode, this one’s for you. Q1: How do I create recurring revenue when I’m not launching? Q2: What makes a good lead magnet? Q3: I have a LOT of offers. Where do I start? Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP

If your content feels like it should be working (but it’s not), it might not be your offer … it might be the way you’re building trust. In this episode of The Warm Up, I’m chatting with the social media queen Xanthe Appleyard about what it really looks like to lead online — and how to build an invested community that doesn’t just consume your content … it converts. We talk dialogue-driven content, Stories + Threads as warm-up tools, why generic “tips” are falling flat, and the visibility moves that help you grow faster without relying on virality. Get Xanthe’s Freebie: https://ohsierracreative.myflodesk.com/content-themes Unlock the power of Instagram Stories to transform your business with the Selling with Stories Workshop! Co-hosted by Kels from Coming Up Roses and Xanthe from Oh Sierra Creative: https://cominguproses.co/products/selling-with-stories   Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow⁠⁠ Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP

In this episode, we dive deep into warm-up offers—what they are, why they matter, and how they help bridge the gap between cold followers and ready-to-buy clients. You’ll learn how to build strategic, trust-building offers that prep your audience for your main transformation. Plus, I’ll walk you through my P.R.E.P. framework to help you create a warm-up offer that actually converts. Whether you have a crusty freebie collecting dust or nothing between “follow” and “$2K investment,” this one’s for you. Join Launch Your Own Way: ⁠https://cominguproses.co/lyow Get The Squig, my weekly newsletter: ⁠https://cominguproses.co/pages/the-squig⁠ Ask your questions for the Q&A Episodes 1800-WARM-UP: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/1800WARMUP