A limited or gradual release of a product or service to a small audience for testing before full public launch.
Emerged from software development in the 1990s, contrasting with 'hard launch.' The 'soft' suggests gentle, gradual, and reversible - like a soft landing. Became mainstream business terminology in the 2000s with digital products.
The beauty of a soft launch lies in its built-in humility - it acknowledges that even our best efforts might need refinement. It's the business equivalent of dipping your toe in the water before diving in, allowing for graceful course corrections without public embarrassment.
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