It works, but we are not talking about a blank page or any tricks.
Think about it for a moment, which of these two strategies are best to work
1. I am opening a new store in the high street. I clean the windows, and place a notice... Furniture store opening soon. I then place some large images of the type of stuff we are going to be selling, maybe some information like 'Imported directly from Italy' etc. I have a notice with my opening date on the window and doors. 6 weeks later I open my doors.
2. I am opening a new store in the high street. I whitewash the windows. 6 weeks later I open my doors.
The holding page should be a single page with themed content full of your keywords but not stuffed. It should be a proper 'we are coming soon' page.
And to answer your question, it works
