Launching a new business is exhilarating, but the thought of announcing it on social media can feel overwhelming. Get it right, and you’ll create immediate buzz, get it wrong, and you might hear crickets. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap to announce your new venture on social media, turning that launch day anxiety into genuine excitement and engagement.
Phase 1: The Pre-Launch Teaser Campaign (Building Anticipation)
A great launch doesn’t start on launch day - it starts weeks before. The goal of a pre-launch campaign is to build a small but engaged audience that is genuinely curious about what you’re about to release. You want people waiting for your announcement, not stumbling upon it by accident.
Step 1: Set Up & Optimize Your Social Media Profiles
Before you post anything, your digital storefront needs to be ready for visitors. Even if you're not officially "open," your profiles need to look polished and professional.
- Claim Your Handles: Acquire your ideal business name (@YourBusiness) on every platform you plan to use. Aim for consistency. If your name is taken, find a simple, professional variation (e.g., @YourBusinessCo, @GetYourBusiness).
- Perfect Your Branding: Upload a high-resolution logo as your profile picture. Create and upload consistent header/cover photos that reflect your brand’s colors and vibe. A cohesive look across platforms makes you look established from day one.
- Write a "Coming Soon" Bio: Your bio is prime real estate, so don't leave it blank. Craft a bio that hints at what you do and builds intrigue. Include what you do, who you do it for, and when you're launching. For example: “Handcrafted leather goods for the modern adventurer. Launching October 2024. ✨”
- Add a Link: Even if your website isn't fully live, direct people to a "Coming Soon" landing page where they can sign up for an email list to be the first to know about the launch. This starts building your audience off social media.
Step 2: Start with Intrigue and Mystery
Resist the urge to reveal everything at once. The most effective teaser campaigns create a sense of mystery that makes people want to know more. Think of it as leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for your audience to follow.
- Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses: Share photos or short videos that hint at your work without giving away the final product. Examples could include a messy desk full of design sketches, a close-up of a unique product texture, a short video of your team packing the first shipment boxes, or a corner of your beautifully decorated new retail space. The caption could be something simple like, “Something special is in the works.”
- Use a Countdown: Countdowns are a powerful psychological tool that builds anticipation. Use the countdown sticker in Instagram Stories to mark the days until your launch. You can create a simple graphic or a short Reel each day leading up to the announcement (e.g., "3 days to go...").
- Run Engaging Polls or Q&As: Use Instagram Stories to ask questions related to the problem your business solves. If you're launching a coffee shop, you could run a poll asking, “Espresso or filter coffee?” or a Q&A box asking, "What's the one thing missing from your neighborhood coffee spot?" This engages your early followers and provides valuable market research.
Step 3: Define Your "Why" and Share Your Founder Story
People don't connect with logos, they connect with other people. Before you ask them to buy from you, give them a reason to believe in you. Sharing your origin story builds an emotional connection and turns followers into advocates.
- Introduce the Founder(s): Post a clear, friendly photo or a short selfie-style video of yourself. In the caption, introduce yourself and explain why you started this business. Speak from the heart. Was it a personal frustration that led to an idea? A lifelong passion you finally decided to pursue?
- Share the Problem You're Solving: Frame your business as a solution. Instead of saying, “We sell productivity software,” say, “We got tired of juggling five different apps just to manage our to-do list, so we built one that does it all.” This is far more relatable and clearly communicates your value.
- Show, Don't Just Tell: Post about the "pre-launch" moments. A snapshot of you unboxing your first inventory shipment, the day your signage went up, or a celebratory drink after solving a tough logistical problem. These moments are authentic and make your journey feel real to your audience.
Phase 2: The Big Launch Day Announcement
This is it - the day you finally get to say, "We're open!" Your goal is to make a splash, reaching as many people as possible with a clear, compelling message that encourages them to act.
Step 4: Craft the Perfect Launch Post
Your official announcement post should be unmistakable. It's the anchor point for your entire launch day. Here’s what it needs:
- A Crystal Clear Announcement: The very first line should get straight to the point. “We’re LIVE!” or “Introducing [Your Business Name], now officially open!” Don’t bury the lead.
- High-Quality Visuals: First impressions matter. Invest in a stellar photo or video. A short, energetic Reel or TikTok showing your product in action is often more effective than a static image. For a service-based business, a professional headshot or a video of you explaining your service works well.
- Simple Value Proposition: In one or two simple sentences, explain what you do and for whom. For example: “[Business Name] is a meal delivery service that brings healthy, chef-prepared lunches right to your desk, so you can stop eating sad salads.”
- A Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Tell people exactly what you want them to do next. “Shop our launch collection now at [Website Link]!” or “Click the link in our bio to book your free consultation!”
Step 5: Use a Multi-Format, Multi-Platform Content Blitz
Launch day isn't the time for a single post. You should plan a wave of content that goes live across all your platforms, using the formats that work best for each one.
- Instagram: Post a polished Reel as your main announcement. Follow up throughout the day with Instagram Stories showing launch-day excitement behind the scenes, answering DMs in real-time, and resharing posts from early supporters. Consider going Live for a virtual tour of your space or an impromptu Q&A session with the founder.
- TikTok: Create a couple of short, trend-focused videos. For example, a “Our first order!” packing video, a transition from “Our idea on a napkin” to your finished product, or an unboxing video set to a popular sound. The vibe is fun, authentic, and fast-paced.
- Facebook: Share a slightly longer announcement post with a great photo album showing off your product or space. This is a great place to encourage sharing by asking people to share the post to help spread the word.
- LinkedIn: Write a more detailed, professional announcement. Talk about your business mission, the gap in the market you’re filling, and the team behind the vision. This is the place to be more text-focused and industry-oriented.
Phase 3: Post-Launch Momentum (Keeping the Buzz Alive)
A successful launch isn't a one-day event. The immediate aftermath is one of the most important times to stay active, engage your new audience, and solidify your place in their minds.
Step 6: Engage With Your New Community Like Crazy
Your launch posts are magnets for interaction. Now is the time to be hyper-responsive. For the first few days, your main job is community management.
- Reply to Every Comment: Don't just "like" comments. Reply to every single one, even if it’s just a simple “Thank you so much for the support!” This shows there's a real person behind the account who values their followers.
- Acknowledge Every Share and DM: If someone shares your post to their Story, send them a personal DM to say thanks. Answer all incoming DMs quickly. The initial goodwill you create with this personalized attention is invaluable.
Step 7: Showcase Social Proof and Encourage User-Generated Content
Nothing sells your business better than happy customers. As soon as you get your first orders or clients, start highlighting their experiences.
- Promptly Reshare UGC: When a customer tags you in a post or story featuring your product, reshare it immediately. This makes the customer feel appreciated and shows potential buyers that real people are already enjoying what you offer.
- Ask for Testimonials: Don't hesitate to ask for a review. Follow up with early customers and ask them for a sentence or two about their experience. You can then turn these quotes into simple, attractive graphics for your social feed.
- Create a Branded Hashtag: Come up with a simple, unique hashtag (e.g., #BrandXLife, #WearBrandX) and include it in your bio and some of your posts. It creates a hub where you can easily find customer content.
Step 8: Turn Attention into Action with a Launch Offer
Give people a reason to stop scrolling and start clicking. A limited-time launch offer creates urgency and converts a curious follower into a paying customer.
- Offer a Discount: “To celebrate our launch, get 15% off your first order this week only with code LAUNCH15.”
- Provide Free Shipping: “Free shipping on all U.S. orders for the first 48 hours!”
- Add a Bonus: “The first 50 customers get a free tote bag with their order.”
Make sure this offer is front and center in your launch posts and your profile bios for the duration of the promotion.
Final Thoughts
A well-executed social media launch isn't about one viral post, it's a strategic campaign built on anticipation, a memorable announcement, and relentless engagement. By breaking it down into these distinct phases, you can turn a daunting task into a manageable and powerful plan for starting your business on the right foot.
Coordinating all of this - teaser content, launch day announcements customized for each platform, and post-launch follow-ups - can feel like a full-time job in itself. This is where modern tools built for today's social media platforms become essential. We built Postbase to solve this planning headache, letting you visually map out your entire launch campaign in one calendar. You can schedule all your content, from TikToks to Instagram Reels, in advance, so when launch day arrives, you’re free to focus on what really matters: connecting with your new customers and celebrating your hard work.
Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.