Scheduled drops and pre-orders
List an item now with a live countdown, take pre-orders, and unlock it for buyers at launch.
2 min read · Updated October 2026
A scheduled drop goes on your page right away with a live countdown, but it does not unlock until the time you pick. While it counts down, fans can pre-order, so the hype turns into sales before launch day.
Set one up
- 1
Create the item
Any file, secret, question or request item. (Courses have the same option, see Publish and launch.)
- 2
Release, then Schedule drop
In the Release section, choose Schedule drop.
- 3
Pick the date and time
In your local time, up to 365 days ahead.
- 4
Publish
The item appears with a countdown. The text under it says fans can pre-order and get access when the countdown ends.
- 5
Share the link
Everyone sees the countdown. Your followers get a coming soon alert.
What happens at the countdown
| Item type | Before launch | At launch |
|---|---|---|
| Digital File | Pre-orders accepted. The file stays locked. | File unlocks for every buyer automatically. |
| Secret Unlock | Pre-orders accepted. The secret stays hidden. | The secret is revealed to every buyer. |
| Q&A and Personal Request | Come to you straight away, like any request. | Nothing changes. |
| Course | Pre-orders accepted. Paid lessons are locked. Free previews play. | All lessons unlock for students. |
Changing your mind
- Launch early. Edit the item and choose Live now. It unlocks immediately for everyone.
- Move the date. While it is still counting down, edit and choose a new time.
- You cannot re-lock a live item that has buyers. Once it is live and someone has bought it, scheduling is disabled so no one loses access.
Why it works
- A countdown gives people a reason to act now instead of "later".
- Pre-orders give you cash and a validation signal before you finish the last 10% of the work.
- Your followers get a coming soon alert, then you can remind them on launch day.
- Buyers can talk about it before launch. That is free marketing.
Pre-orders are OPEN for [thing]. It unlocks Friday 7PM. Grab it now and it's yours the second the timer hits zero → link sticker
The countdown is on. [Thing] drops soon, and pre-orders are already open. Watch the timer → sygil.app/yourname/vault Comment "DROP" and I'll DM you the link
IT'S LIVE. Everyone who pre-ordered, check your page now. Everyone else, it's still open → link sticker