Too many startups fail because they never got noticed. Proper marketing helps you gain credibility, which builds brand trust. It also gives you the “social proof” you need to show potential investors there’s a place for your business on the market. You don’t need the entire world to know about your startup. You just need your target niche market to find out what you have to offer, and any startup can achieve this when they implement the right strategies.
Get Noticed on Google
When people need information, they turn to search engines. If your business can show up on your prospective customers’ radar when they’re looking for information, you not only gain credibility for your expertise, but also get their eyes on your products and services. A great way for startups to gain a following and make a name for themselves is by sharing expertise and insight that can help their target audience. Blogging or publishing articles on your website is a great way to do that. The more content-rich web pages your website has, the more “points” it gains in the search engine algorithms. You can also work with someone who’s SEO-savvy to help you rank higher on Google and other search engines.
Show Up on Social Media
Social networking platforms, from LinkedIn to Snapchat, provide a huge opportunity for businesses to get noticed at any stage of their development. Engaging with users on social media can help you better understand your target audience and how to serve them better. You can find out their problems and needs, so that you can find better solutions to offer. It gives you a platform to hone your brand’s voice and message, as it allows you to communicate directly with your audience. Social media is a great way to build authority by providing valuable content.
Paid advertising can also be very effective on social media. You might try running a video ad on YouTube or running Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns that target your prospective customer base.
Attend Conferences and Do Speaking Engagements
Although we live in a digital age, raising awareness to your startup also depends on marketing outside the Internet. China expert and best-selling author of “The Age of the Unthinkable” and “The Seventh Sense,” Joshua Cooper Ramo draws attention to his books and his personal brand by sharing expertise at conferences and other speaking engagements around the world.
You may not have an agent that can help you get booked for speaking engagements, but you can start by going to conferences and getting your name out there through networking. While the speakers at these conferences get to speak to everyone at once, attendees can still reach lots of people and spread the word about their startup by striking up conversations with other attendees. The more clout you build in your niche, the more likely you’ll be able to be selected as a keynote speaker at future engagements.
Getting Started
Marketing your startup is all about having a story people can connect with. Why have you launched this startup? If you can convince your target audience that you can meet their needs in a unique and effective way, you’ve got an effective marketing campaign. Putting money into search engine optimization adds, or even a social media marketer, you can get quickly see big results in getting your name out there.
