Marketing on a Shoestring: What I Learned After Wasting Money on Two Start-Ups

Like many others, I have wasted money marketing the two ‘start-ups’ I was CEO of. Hindsight is a perfect science, of course, and I can tell you exactly how I did it, and how much money I wasted… and if you believe that, then I suggest you don’t listen to any agency pitches for your start-up that don’t include some projected numbers that are credible and backed up by sound explanations. You could be convinced you need to spend a lot of money.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. This is what I found to work when marketing start-ups. Here are a few key takeaways:

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Don’t be afraid to buy services, but make sure you buy the best you can afford. In other words, investing in quality marketing is important, but you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Very often, industry-specific “one-man bands” do a great job.

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Your early marketing is to make your potential clients know you are there and to prove your right to be there, that you will add value to their lives. In other words, focus on building brand awareness and trust in the early days.

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A website is essential, but it must be regularly updated. Don’t just build a website and set aside. Ensure it is fresh and informative and reflects your latest offerings.

Now, for those of you building a b2b business, here are some other tips for creating a LinkedIn post that will attract maximum impressions:

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Use strong visuals.
The image you included is a good start, but you could also consider using a video or infographic.

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Use relevant hashtags.
Do some research to find hashtags that are popular with your target audience.

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Ask a question.
This will encourage people to engage with your post.

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Respond to comments and questions.
This will show that you are interested in what your readers have to say.

By following these tips, you can create a LinkedIn post that will attract maximum impressions and help you to generate leads for your business.

Marketing on a shoestring