As a startup owner, you are new to the digital marketing game.
With so many digital marketing tactics, tips, and tools at your disposal, it may be difficult to choose the right ones.
That is why you should set clear goals and use them as a foundation for your marketing plan.
Here are six startup marketing tactics that really work.
1. Invest in PPC
Pay-per-click (PPC) marketing helps your startup stand out among its competitors. Unlike organic marketing campaigns that take time, PPC delivers almost instant results. As soon as your campaign is approved, you will start ranking for your target keywords.
Also, remember that searchers do not click past the first page of Google SERPs. When investing in SEO for the first time, you will need to wait until you start ranking high.
On the other hand, with PPC marketing, your ads will appear at the top of Google. That way, you will boost your site’s exposure and driving clicks.
However, keep in mind that PPC campaigns can exhaust your marketing budget fast. Consider hiring a PPC freelancer or agency to help you get the most out of your campaigns.
2. Leverage the Power of Social Networks
Social networks can help your startup in multiple ways.
First, they have search engine functionalities. They allow customers to search for brands, read reviews, and even compare products. By optimizing your social media accounts and providing consistent business information, you will boost brand exposure and website traffic.
Second, with social networks, you can boost industry credibility and inspire thought leadership. Start by building an editorial calendar and creating high-quality content for each social channel. Keep your content on-brand, relevant, and consistent.
Finally, social networks help you build an online community. Facebook or LinkedIn groups help you connect with your customers and help them solve real-life problems. Again, use social listening tools to stay on top of brand mentions.
To boost the effectiveness of your social media campaigns, focus on those channels your target audience uses. For example, if you are a fashion brand, focus on Instagram to showcase your moda designs.
3. Offer Free Product Trials
One of the most effective ways to generate new leads and spread the word about your company is to offer a free version or a trial of your product.
That is particularly important to SaaS startups. Many high-profile IT companies, including Canva, Grammarly, and Dropbox, offer free product/service versions. That way, they provide potential customers with a peek into their product before they upgrade.
If your product meets their needs, customers will be more compelled to upgrade.
4. Build a Referral Program
In marketing, herd mentality plays a vital role. Reviews, testimonials, and case studies build trust with customers and validate their buying decisions.
That is why you should build a referral program. The goal is to encourage your current customers to advocate on your behalf. To encourage them to spread the word about your brand, incentivize customers for referrals. Provide relevant rewards, such as discounts or free product trials.
5. Encourage User-Generated Content
Startups usually operate with limited marketing budgets. One of the most effective ways to promote your brand and gain customer trust is to encourage user-generated content. In other words, you ask your customers to create unique photos of your products and share their experiences with the public.
Start your research on social networks. Use social media monitoring tools to track your brand and hashtag mentions and find user-generated content.
To encourage customers to create and send UGC, consider hosting a contest on Instagram. For example, the most-liked photo gets a valuable reward. Also, to boost brand visibility, create dedicated brand hashtags for your customers to use.
6. Invest in Content Marketing
Valuable and original content engages your audiences. Seeing the value of your content, they will start liking and sharing it online.
Content also helps you position yourself as a credible and knowledgeable online resource. That way, you will build trust with customers and motivate them to purchase from you.
Finally, SEO-friendly content boosts your performance on Google. It helps you rank high for competitive keywords and serves as a link building source. Namely, by creating and promoting valuable, data-driven content, you may get noticed by renowned industry names. If they like your posts, they will share them organically with your audience and put you in front of wider audiences.
Over to You
When launching a startup, focus on reliable digital marketing practices that generate a high ROI and help you stand out in the competitive market.
Sure, there is no uniform digital marketing strategy to apply. While these tips may serve as the basis for your marketing campaigns, you should adapt them to your startup’s specific needs.
Any thoughts on startup marketing? We are listening!
