Power Your Launch
If you've ever been on YouTube searched for any videos on entrepreneurship or how to run sales on social media, you might have encountered ads for a program created by Abu Fofanah called Power Your Launch. Described on the website as an "online marketing accelerator designed to help online course creators, coaches, consultants, e-commerce, beauty and boutique owners and other entrepreneurs learn how to maximize returns on marketing."
Pricey but comprehensive, PYL is an in-depth, step-by-step process of how to find your ideal client, how to hone your marketing message, the importance of testimonials, and how to run ads on Facebook and Instagram to drive traffic to your website and augment sales. It comes with worksheet downloads, demonstration videos, and the option of a support system. In addition to running the PYL program, Abu also runs a podcast called Powered AF.
Our takeaway on the pros and the cons.
First, the cons: PYL is very pricey. You might be able to find the same information on Skillshare, Udemy, or YouTube for a fraction of the price. Secondly, it does not go into all the things you cannot do (and there are a myriad of them) when running ads or Facebook will reject them. For this, you really need to do a deep dive on Facebook's Ad Policy webpage and then, as in the Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favor.
Most importantly, it focuses mostly on internet marketing on Instagram and Facebook. It's important to note that PYL works primarily for splurge buy products and services: a jazzy blouse, your version of the newest "miracle" skin cream, the hottest program on how to look better naked or master that elusive handstand. PYL does not address how to run Google Ads (which is another more intricate topic in and of itself).
As a cleaning company, we are not a splurge buy. No one thumbs through their Instagram feed and sees an ad for event and office cleaning, smacks his or her forehead, and goes, "Oh, you know! That's what's missing from my life today!" and purchases a package from us. We are an intentional purchase, and our clients mostly find us through word of mouth or deliberate Google searches. That said, it is a good tool for raising brand awareness if you want a certain marketplace to know your services exist.
The pros: PYL does what it purports to do, and these marketing skills are critical, especially if you are a start-up or own a small business. Running Facebook and Instagram Ads is complex. And ever-changing. In part of Mark Zuckerberg's quest to make us all miserable, Facebook (which owns Instagram), is constantly tinkering with the Ads Manager and making all kinds of changes that are supposed to make their ads more effective, but require lots of education and understanding on the marketing director or business owner's part.
If you have a small business that does offer a splurge buy, then this program will absolutely teach you how to navigate the Facebook ads manager, how to construct an ad, and how to really target your ads to your ideal client.
PopUP CleanUP is a female, black-owned small business offering commercial and event cleaning services in the Greater Los Angeles Area.