Startup owners know that it’s challenging to compete head-to-head with big corporations in traditional marketing channels.
With millions of dollars at their disposal, established companies reign supreme when it comes to building a presence within popular media like Facebook, Instagram, and paid search.
So… what’s a startup got to do?
Getting creative with your startup’s marketing strategy
Startup marketers are tasked with growing a small company on a limited budget. This means marketing on the usual channels is usually harder to pull off. Small companies are immediately put in a disadvantageous position because of the lack of sizable financial resources.
This is why injecting a healthy dose of ingenuity and creativity is crucial in startup marketing. And one of the best ways to do this is to market on platforms that your more established competitors may have overlooked.
Let’s take a look at some of them:
1. Generating buzz on Reddit
With more than 52 million daily active users, Reddit is prime space for startup marketing. People come to Reddit to seek information and read about topics that interest them, so it is a great place to reach an interested and engaged audience.
Reddit allows brands to advertise on the platform with paid ads. But for startups with smaller budgets, generating buzz on the platform through exciting posts and discussions can give you more bang for your buck. You can buy Reddit upvotes to boost your posts and comments and ensure that more Redditors will see them.
2. Creating a banging blog
Established companies that already enjoy great name recognition don’t usually invest in creating thought-provoking and informative blog posts. They’re already seen as major players in their niche, so more often than not, they tend to just focus on visibility campaigns.
But for startups who are trying to build a solid presence in their respective industries, being seen as a trustworthy authority will open many doors. And the best way to do this is to create a blog with excellent content that shows your brand as a thought leader in your niche. The best part is, you can pretty much do this yourself. At the same time, content marketing services aren’t too expensive if you prefer to have someone else do the hard work for you.
3. Tapping into podcasts
Over the last few years, podcasts have gone from being niche entertainment to becoming a mainstay in the day-to-day lives of millions of listeners. As a relatively untapped marketing avenue, advertising through relevant podcasts gives you access to an audience that’s likely to relate and engage with your brand.
You can use two approaches to tap into the power of podcasts. One, you can purchase placements or features for your product or service in a podcast with a sizable listenership within your industry. Two, you can reach out to podcasts who are looking for guests within your niche. Joining a podcast series or episode as a guest allows you to demonstrate your expertise and mention your brand.
4. Building a presence on Quora
Quora is one of the best platforms to build a following and showcase your authority as a startup founder or marketer. Like Reddit, Quora is a great marketing channel because people specifically come to the platform to read about other people’s experiences, opinions, and advice. Moreover, it’s not hard to target the right audience on Quora. There are dedicated spaces on the website for pretty much any topic you can think of. If you regularly write helpful and informative answers within relevant spaces, you can build a solid following over time.
The Bottom Line
Conventional digital marketing strategies like paid search and social media advertising are popular for a reason. They work, period. However, they might not be the most effective marketing tactics for startups on a budget.
If you’re trying to get the most out of your marketing efforts, creativity is crucial. Relatively untapped strategies like the four mentioned above will help your marketing budget go the distance.
Read more:
4 Startup Marketing Strategies To Explore