Startups and small businesses often lean heavily on sales in their early stages. It’s cheap, direct, and very effective. In doing so, they build a deep knowledge of the problems they’re solving and insights into communicating them effectively to customers. However, many startups miss low-hanging opportunities in digital marketing when they focus only on sales.
Check out these essential digital marketing tactics that every startup must use to maximize sales and success during the early stages of their business.
1. A Polished Website Goes a Long Way
The phrase “fake it until you make it” is quite literal for startups. You don’t have the luxury of time, resources, or extensive experience to win over every prospect. And the last thing you need is to lose a sale because they had a bad experience with your website (and ghosted you afterwards).
Many startups overlook the importance of a well-designed website. Remember, potential buyers are researching you just as much as you’re researching them. Customers want to know that you will solve their problems. Investors want to know you’re the real deal. And when all else is equal across your competitors, a website will help you stand out.
Therefore, don’t take your website for granted. Make sure it instills confidence, wows customers, clearly communicates your value, and supports the sales conversations you’re having.
2. Better Business Starts With Writing Content
Writing content is a habit that can feel daunting at first. You may struggle with writer’s block, competing priorities, or simply not knowing where to start. The best approach? Block out time each day to write. Start small, then gradually increase your time commitment.
So why is writing so beneficial?
- Search Engine Optimization Boost (SEO): Publishing valuable content improves your website’s search engine ranking, helping attract organic traffic. The more high-quality content you create, the more likely customers are to find you, reducing your reliance on cold outreach, such as email and phone.
- Deeper Subject Matter Expertise: Writing forces you to articulate and analyze your customers’ pain points in greater detail. These insights can enhance your sales conversations, website messaging, and overall marketing strategy.
- Better Business: As you write, you’ll refine how you explain your business. You’ll uncover clearer, more compelling ways to communicate your value proposition. You may even redefine your unique selling point (USP), improving your competitive advantage.
Writing is a powerful tool for strengthening both your digital presence and your sales effectiveness. Start today or get expert help with professional writing from a digital marketing partner like Uplancer!
Establish a Strong Social Media Presence
When done right, social media builds network effect, expanding your brand’s reach and increasing engagement. If you’re unfamiliar with network effects, below is a brief example:
- You share your post with the people within your social network (Network A).
- When people from Network A interact with your post, their network (Network B) sees your post.
- When people from Network B interact with your post, their network (Network C) sees your post.
- Repeat this with Network C and so on, resulting in a massive number of people who’ve seen your brand
- Eventually, your post should attract a qualified lead.
Not every post will work successfully this way, but your goal is to generate posts that get reactions.
Beyond getting leads, social media gives customers and investors a behind-the-scenes look at your business. They want to confirm that your business is active. They also want to feel confident in engaging with a real brand, and consistent social content reinforces that trust.
Build a Solid Foundation with a “Crawl” Approach
Effective digital marketing is common sense and for us, follows a crawl, walk, and run approach: start small and prove it works before doing more. That means start with your Minimum Effective Marketing (MEM):
- A well-designed website showcasing your business’s core strengths
- A sales-driven approach focused on understanding and addressing customer pain points
- An active social media presence that signals ambition and growth
The Bottom Line
Startups must always look and act the part. Investors, customers, and competitors need to see that your business is legitimate and growing. That’s why establishing a solid digital foundation in a phased approach will set your startup up for long-term success.
Ready to kickstart your digital marketing or take it to the next level? Contact Uplancer today for your free marketing consultation.
