Desmond, I promise I didn't sneak in and steal your data... though I have been lurking outside your window with some very high quality binoculars. ;D

As for the above setup... it's obviously a rough outline just to "paint the picture" but it works like bonkers.

I used to do it all wrong 3 years ago.

Thought up my fancy idea.
Created the product.
Ordered graphics.
Worked on salescopy.
Setup affiliate program.
Recruited affiliates.
Tried to sell the damn thing.
Result? Paltry low 4-figures.

I've since "matured".

For example...

A promo I'm working on has graphics and video in the work and a full JV recruiting strategy soon to launch. The product though isn't completed, certainly not packaged and webpages aren't ready yet.

(Prior to launch, soft promos and initial advertising will tweak the sales process so by the time the JVs mail, the sales funnel will be flawless, but right now... it hasn't even been touched yet).

Another promo similarly now has a co-launch JV partner (ie: not a super affiliate but an actual 50/50 profit partner due to the various assets we each bring to the table). That deal is already worked out, the affiliate/JV recruiting strategy for that too launches soon (though not in competition with the other project I just mentioned). Yet the product itself will need a full 2-3 weeks to finish, graphics haven't been touched. Although we also drafted the story board for the teaser video to better sell the initial aff-recruiting pitch.

In fact... this morning I saw something that I really enjoy seeing. A colleague just sent me a short teaser video for one of their offers launching in Dec. The trailer was short, moved quick and ended with "This December 2009 It All Changes..." (or something like that)... point is, the trailer is just building anticipation for a vague release coming this Dec, even though we're in Sept still.

Tying into that, I often try to toss in a soft-pitch and mention of my May 13, 2010 Canada Marketing Summit (the 4-day direct marketing + internet marketing conference that I ran this year with project-partner Jeff Mills, though now I've taken over the brand). Get this... the hotel isn't locked in yet. The speaker line-up is a rough outline with no committments. The webpages certainly aren't done. I do have someone researching and starting negotiations for venues for the May 13th date... I do have my flash guys putting together a "coming soon" type flash presentation... I have my video guy putting together a trailer/teaser of the 2009 event... and we have a strategy and attack plan mapped out to target sponsors. But the actual "product" (speakers) and the associated webpages are untouched and will remain that way until January, yet I talk of the May 13th date any chance I get just to "plant the seed" nearly 9-10 months from the day of.