Got a new product you’re excited about? Launching a new product is an exciting milestone, but it’s not as simple as putting it out there and hoping people buy it. Without a well-thought-out plan, even the best ideas can get lost in the noise. That’s why you need a product plan – a clear, simple way to get your idea in front of the right people, at the right time, with the right message. The good news? You don’t need to be a marketing pro to do this. ChatGPT can help you every step of the way.
Let’s walk through the steps to create a go-to-market plan using ChatGPT. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to launch like a pro.
Step 1: Prime ChatGPT and Set Your Goals
Before you do anything, you need a strong foundation. Every strong product plan starts with a deep understanding of the market and your audience. Then, you set specific goals that guide your plan. Let’s start simple.
Market Research and Analysis
You can’t sell something effectively without knowing who you’re selling to and what’s already out there. Market research is like taking a quick glance at the battlefield before stepping onto it. Here’s what you should focus on:
- Trends: What’s happening in your industry? Are there any shifts you can take advantage of? For instance, are eco-friendly products becoming more popular, or are certain customer needs growing rapidly?
- Customer Needs: What problems are people facing that your product can solve? What motivates them to make a purchase?
- Competitor Analysis: Who else is offering something similar? What are they doing well, and where are they falling short?
Here’s where ChatGPT can help. Try this prompt. I’ll use o1-preview model (in USnap) cause for me, it thinks better!
Conduct market research and analysis for a new [product/service] that targets [target audience] including identifying industry trends, customer needs, and competitor analysis.
With a few tweaks, you’ll get a solid snapshot of the market to inform your product plan (here I’ll just show a small part of it)
Define Objectives and Goals
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to get specific about what you want to achieve. Vague goals like “I want to sell more” won’t cut it. Instead, aim for goals that are clear, measurable, and tied to a timeline.
For example:
- Increase sales by 20% in the first three months.
- Sign up 1,000 new users by the end of the first quarter.
- Achieve a customer satisfaction score of 90% in six months.
Here’s a simple prompt to guide ChatGPT:
Considering the data collected previously, briefly list clear, measurable, and focused objectives for a go-to-market plan for a [product/service] targeting [target audience]. Once I approve it, you can expand in detail.
Having goals like these will keep your product plan focused and help you track success.
Step 2: Define Your Key Value Proposition
Now that you know your audience and have clear goals, it’s time to nail down what makes your product special. This is your value proposition—the core reason someone should choose your product over others. It’s what makes your offer irresistible.
What Makes Your Product Unique?
Ask yourself two questions:
- What does your product do better than others?
- Why should your audience care?
For example, if you’re launching an eco-friendly water bottle, your unique angle might be:
- It’s made of 100% recycled materials.
- It keeps drinks cold for 48 hours (longer than competitors).
- For every purchase, a tree is planted.
To make this process easier, prompt ChatGPT:
Given the market and our goals for our [product/service] for [target audience], what are some key value proposition statements that can act as a foundation for our go-to-market plan? Provide 10 options.
Choosing the Right Angle
Once you have a list of value propositions, pick the one that best fits your product and audience. Don’t try to highlight everything—focus on the benefit that resonates most.
You can refine your product plan around this core message. Use it to shape your marketing, sales pitch, and overall strategy.
Build Marketing and Sales Strategies
This is where your product plan takes shape. Think about how you’ll reach your audience and what tools you’ll use to do it.
- Social media: Create engaging posts highlighting your product’s unique features.
- Email campaigns: Share testimonials, special offers, or launch updates.
- Ads: Target specific groups based on the audience research you did earlier.
Ask ChatGPT to help craft your marketing message:
Let’s go with angle [Providing the latest market insights promptly]. From here on, develop the plan with this strategic position considered. Confirm before we move on. Please expand this into a full go-to-market plan
Step 3: Operationalize the Plan
With the strategy in place, it’s time to make things happen. A product plan isn’t just about ideas; it’s about execution. Here’s how to organize the process.
Create a Launch Timeline (GANTT Chart)
A GANTT chart is a simple visual timeline that lays out all the tasks you need to complete before and after your launch. It helps you stay on track and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
Here’s what you can include:
- Pre-launch: finalize designs, set up marketing campaigns, schedule social media posts.
- Launch day: run live events, send out press releases, activate promotional offers.
- Post-launch: monitor feedback, tweak your strategy, and continue promotions.
ChatGPT can help here too:
Generate a spreadsheet template with a GANTT chart that features the jobs to be done leading up to launch, as well as post-launch activities. Set the launch date for [tentative launch date].
Set Up Weekly Meetings
Regular check-ins keep everyone aligned. These meetings don’t have to be long or complicated. Just focus on:
- What’s been done.
- What’s coming up next.
- Any roadblocks or issues.
Ask ChatGPT to draft a meeting outline:
Create a weekly status meeting outline. It should be simple and brief with the goal of ensuring all stakeholders are prepared to present relevant information at the meeting.
Step 4: Measure Success and Adjust
After you launch your product, the real work begins. Measuring success and making adjustments is the key to a sustainable and effective product plan. This step ensures your strategies are working and allows you to fix what isn’t. It’s about looking at the data, learning from your audience, and continuously improving.
Measuring success helps you answer questions like:
- Are we reaching the right audience?
- Are our sales meeting the targets we set?
- What’s resonating with customers, and what’s falling flat?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to tracking performance. The metrics you measure depend on your product and goals. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like sales, website traffic, and customer feedback. Use these insights to refine your approach and plan future campaigns.
Example ChatGPT prompt:
Suggest metrics to track the success of [product/service] during the first three months post-launch.
Ready to Take the Leap?
Creating a go-to-market plan might seem overwhelming at first, but with the right tools and a clear roadmap, it’s entirely manageable. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered:
- Research your market and define clear, measurable goals.
- Craft a compelling value proposition that highlights what makes your product unique.
- Develop targeted marketing and sales strategies to reach your audience.
- Organize your efforts with a timeline and regular check-ins.
- Measure your results and refine your approach as needed.
The best part? With ChatGPT as your guide, you can tackle every step with confidence. Think of it as your personal assistant, brainstorming ideas, creating content, and keeping your plan on track. Now it’s time to put your product plan into action and make your launch a success.
Good luck—you’ve got this! If you want more tips and tools for creating winning strategies, check out our other resources. Your next big achievement is just around the corner.