6 Essential Marketing Strategies Every New Startup Should Know

Running a startup is exciting, but it comes with its fair share of issues, budgeting being one of them. That’s why entrepreneurs have to be very careful when they are allocating the resources because while it’s wise to cut corners in certain departments, it can be a very bad idea to be close-fisted in others. Marketing is the first one to suffer budget blows, and this spend-a-dollar-to-save-a-dime approach results in a poorly conceived strategy which, in turn, fails to attract the target audience and build brand reputation. Fortunately, there are some marketing strategies which don’t require breaking the bank.

Building a strong web presence

This isn’t exactly a marketing strategy, but its objective. It encompasses a wide range of digital marketing strategies and tactics created in order to represent the business in the best possible light. As the main goal is to attract potential customers and get them to convert. That’s why having a well-designed website which provides and ensures a superb customer experience is a must. Even a study conducted by Stanford University experts has found that visually appealing websites are perceived as more trustworthy and credible, not to mention that people they tend to pay more attention to the aesthetics of a website than its content. All this illustrates how important it is to have a professionally designed website, which is why you should trust a reliable digital agency with this task.

Content marketing

There’s no better way to attract tons of traffic to your website than by posting useful and relevant content on your blog. Helpful articles, how-tos, walkthrough videos, or tips an tricks will help you reach your target audience and direct them towards your website. Infographics, for example, are shared and liked on social media 3 times more than any other type of content. What’s even more important is that content marketing doesn’t cost a pretty penny. Still, this doesn’t mean that you should be stingy about it. In order for this strategy to work and be effective, high-quality content which will be both informative and entertaining has to be produced.

SEO

Search engine optimization is a strategy which goes hand in hand with content marketing. The synergy of these two digital marketing strategies has the power of helping your target audience find your website among your numerous competitors. To put it in layman’s terms, using the right keywords and getting authority backlinks are at the core of this approach. Don’t forget that there are countless other startups trying to offer the same or similar products or services, and it’s of vital importance to stand out from the crowd. When people search something that they need on the internet, the odds are that they won’t scroll beyond the first page of the SERPs. That’s why it’s essential to improve your Google rankings and reach the first page. According to a stat which will put this into perspective, results on the first page scoop almost 92% of all traffic, while all the other pages share only 8%. Although SEO is a hefty and long-term investment, it’s a very profitable one.

Social media

Even though social media garnered some negative feelings recently due to privacy concerns, it’s still indispensable for connecting with your target audience and professionals from your industry. Apart from helping you improve the visibility of your business, it’s also excellent when it comes to customer service and support. Many companies use social media in order to feel the pulse of their customers and obtain valuable information about their needs and preferences.

Email marketing

If you think that email marketing is the thing of the past, you’re wrong. This strategy boasts one of the highest returns on investment in the industry, and it’s very affordable. It only takes a good email list, filled with relevant prospects, decent email copy, automation software, and persistence. Due to its cost-effectiveness, email marketing is one of the mandatory strategies for any new startup.

Guerilla marketing

As its name suggests, this marketing strategy relies on unconventional methods, but it perfectly suits a young company which is strapped for money and yet needs to attract the attention of the public. Generally speaking, it’s an offline marketing strategy but if it generates enough buzz, it easily drives traffic to your website or social media channels. For example, if you use creative posters or graffiti art to promote your startup, people will take a snap and share it on their Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, thus increasing your startup’s recognition and visibility. Offering samples and freebies is another fruitful tactic, because not only will such items promote your business and introduce it to new audiences, but they can also help you build customer loyalty.

If developed and conducted properly, these 6 marketing strategies can help you grow your startup and increase your bottom line even if your business operates on a shoestring budget.

Raul is the editor in chief at Technivorz blog. He has a lot to say about innovations in all aspects of digital technology and online marketing. You can find him on Twitter and Facebook.