Defining your company’s presence in a competitive industry can be a massive challenge, particularly when trying to pick where to start. But the insider gossip is that you can make meaningful changes to your marketing strategy efficiently. Today’s blog is a checklist you can use to refine your marketing process and get the most out of your budget. Whether you’re an established startup owner, looking to hone your outreach or just setting out on your startup journey, you’re sure to find a quick-fire tip for intelligent marketing.
1. Define your target market
Understand who your potential customers are and tailor your marketing efforts to reach them effectively. You can achieve this using Google Trends and Google Analytics to discover the most popular searches, challenges and trends amongst your customer base in targeted geographic locations. Additionally, research your competitors’ customer base using the tools above and look at their LinkedIn networks and social media platforms.
2. Develop a unique value proposition
Clearly communicate what sets your startup apart from competitors and why customers should choose your product or service. It can be useful to also create a product deck for your customers to reference, that details all services your business can provide. For an example, check out our own one here!
3. Build a strong brand
Establish a consistent visual identity and messaging that reflects your company’s values and mission. According to WebFx, “B2B buyers are more than halfway through the decision process when they get in touch with a buyer” so it’s important to make a good first impression with clear, concise and practical branding.
4. Utilize social media
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are great ways to connect with potential customers and build a community around your brand. “73% (of decision-makers in the B2B space) are millennials” so it’s important to connect with trends on relevant platforms and be aware of the trends.
5. Leverage content marketing
Create valuable, relevant, consistent content to attract and engage your target audience. It’s important to toggle between SEO content to boost your business up in Google search results, and niche pieces that appeal to your customers. Scheduling your content is essential – consider what periods of the year provide springboards for relevant content, such as ‘End of Financial Year.’
6. Network and collaborate
Attend industry events, meet with potential partners, and join relevant online communities to expand your reach and gain valuable insights. Plenty of events are shared through LinkedIn, and you can expand your connections into new regions by attending global online sessions. Even if your outreach is not there yet, leaning into advice or partnership with network partners can only help grow your community!”
7. Offer incentives
Consider offering discounts or promotions to attract new customers and encourage repeat business. By appealing to challenges your prospects may be facing – such as optimising their software budget, defining their brand or upscaling their business – you simplify their experience with quick, suitable solutions. It shows you get them and their goals!
8. Invest in SEO
Optimise your website and online content for search engines to increase visibility and drive more traffic to your site. Whilst your content might be one in a million, it won’t bring you closed deals if it’s not able to get out to millions of prospects. SEO is a science, so make sure you’re hitting keywords in your copy and content by checking out Answer The Public, Keyword.io and Google Analytics.
9. Measure and analyse
Use analytics tools to track the success of your marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions. Databox is an example of a useful tool for tracking essential marketing metrics such as: social media insights and impressions, Google Business statistics, Google Ads, campaign overviews, audience insights, actions insights: such as calls and bookings for qualified leads.
Be adaptable
Stay flexible and be open to try new things. The startup landscape is constantly changing, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Consistently use platforms such as Google Trends and continue to expand your LinkedIn network daily to stay informed on updates in your industry.
Designing an effective marketing strategy for your startup requires a combination of creativity, strategy, and persistence. Let us give you a helping hand. We’re Rovert Digital, a startup marketing and sales agency all about helping startups scale. Book a chat with us today!