Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Gery — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:09:49 -0000

I think the most difficult area to get recognized is the US market. There are many players you have to be unique within. In a local area like Switzerland or Austria, it is much easier to get recognition. However I started my launch in the US and pretty much hope I could get to the level I always wanted to.

Gery from http://needcube.com

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

jamesnicholson — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:12:55 -0000

Thank you for this tips. I think when somebody follows this, he migt succed in his business.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Mary Ann — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:01:50 -0000

The Internet has severely altered the way businesses operate. Marketing strategies have changed greatly to include this new means of communication. With the Internet you have the ability to reach millions of potential customers with the click of a few buttons.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

SEO Beratung — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:45:33 -0000

Thanks for yor helpfull ideas, but in Germany there are videos no so popular than in other states of the worlds.

Youtube is the best example. The most entries come from US.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Suchmaschinenoptimierung — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:23:20 -0000

Hey, that are really nice ideas. Here such videos are mostly used for link-baiting or viral marketing. Many german blogs only ave financial goals.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

web hosting nerd — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:22:49 -0000

hey it was a great post.. i didnt knw the time passing..

it was really great thanks a lot..

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Christian Krueger — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:57:38 -0000

Hi Benjamin,

thanks for this nice article.

Here in Germany videos are not often used in websites. What makes more sense? Placing an own video about our seo consulting agency on our website or publishing videos on sites like youtube, myspace etc.?

What experiences did you make?

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Benjamin Yoskovitz — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:35:12 -0000

So build one! In Montreal we've developed a stronger and stronger startup ecosystem over time. It's not perfect, and it's nowhere near the capacity or ability of the startup ecosystems in the Bay Area or Boston, but it's a start. I look back 2 years and am quite amazed at the results.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Benjamin Yoskovitz — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:34:16 -0000

Mark - Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I look forward to seeing what Alice.com is all about, and appreciate the feedback.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Mark McGuire — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:00:35 -0000

Ben, I just came across this post and I loved your point about building your own profile. My business partner and I have sold a few start ups and we are leveraging this experience in our newest start up, Alice.com, by blogging about the entire start up experience at our founders blog (flywheelblog.com). I think it is a great example of what you are talking about.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

M. Gaubitz — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:53:01 -0000

That sounds so easy - but in Germany, we have not such a start up culture like in the United States..

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Hye Munar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:25:09 -0000

Wow... I am impressed with the tips. Actually I am thinking about internet marketing and your tips inpired me a lot. I am sure I will keep on reading your posts as they are really helpful. Thanks Ben ;0

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Sarah, Repossession Stoppers L — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:51:07 -0000

You have done a good summary here, I have been marketing for the same corporate for 4 years, now I have taken a huge "leap of faith" as the marketing manager for a new start up. Purely because I felt I had lost the spark, the buzz, you mention - now I am marketing something totally different (property investment / sell and rent back, etc), and one thing for certain if the marketer does not feel the buzz, then it makes it a hell of a lot harder to market a product or service.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Ben Yoskovitz — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:25:22 -0000

@Jeff: Thanks for the tips, they're appreciated. There's a lot of work in those points - but it's well worth it.

@Tom: Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. I'm all for using social media and networking tools for marketing purposes, they definitely can be very useful.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Tom At The home Business Archi — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:21:37 -0000

Hi Ben, nice blog! This is my first visit.I will comment on the fact that it is difficult to create buzz.However, I have found that web2.0 techniques including stumbleon and squidoo can create quite a buzz for your blog, and it can happen fast.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Jeff Gwynne — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:06:29 -0000

Ben-

Great post and real problem. I think you hit upon the crux of the problem with "build something people really love and that might be all the marketing you need." High tech start-ups are typically started by engineers with "happy ears" - what ever they build will fly off the shelf. Maybe yes, maybe no, but I bet good communications and promotion are essential for attracting prospects, partners, investors and potential employees.

Some of the tactics that I have used in the past.

1. Document a plan and execute - don't treat marketing as ad hoc.

2. Put together an announcement calendar and with an effort around creating coverage with analyst and media briefings. Don't just issue a news release and prey.

3. Chase an editorial calendar and help shape the news with your prospective.

4. Be responsive (as in always available) to media and analyst inquiries. If you are not responsive, your competitors will be. And, if you are a private company, do not overlook financial analysts. They are pretty sharp and their research is typically free.

5. Don't just blog, but also secure by lines. IMO, a 600 word by line is worth a whole bunch of 1500 word white papers.

6. Related to your #1 above, exploit your stars (CEO, CTO, etc.) with speaking engagements. Get out there and tell your story.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Ben Yoskovitz — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:27:24 -0000

@agentblue: Hacker News is a great resource. I've received a good amount of traffic from it.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

agentbleu — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:37:48 -0000

great article.

i would like to add some other resources like hackernews
http://www.hackerne.ws/
can also generate great initial traffic for interesting tech stuff

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Ben Yoskovitz — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:07:44 -0000

@CHSchneider: Europe's not that far behind. I know there are many tech-related blogs covering the scene there, and numerous startups coming out of Europe. Depends where, I suppose ... but Loic LeMeur just did his big Le Web 3 conference there too.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Susan Payton, The Marketing Eg — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:43:57 -0000

The unfortunate thing about being an entrepreneur is that you make a lot of mistakes. The good thing is: others can benefit by doing the opposite!

You had a long journey to be able to consolidate these great nuggets of wisdom, but just think, you're helping make the journey for others that much shorter!

Really enjoyed the post!

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

CHSchneider — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:05:22 -0000

great tipps! thank you. problem for europe: most of the people doesn´t know what a blog is - how i can produce a video - and how can i list my site in "startup" homepages. europe is in medieval times. really. i think this tipps are "aktuell" in 2 years here in europe.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:53:39 -0000

@Tony: I think all brands need marketing. I'm not sure of any that didn't...but I'm also exhausted. Can you name some?

Without a doubt, marketing and buzz won't get you very far without a solid product. And companies need a solid product before they should get on the podium with their megaphone and start hollering. But I'd venture to say there are MORE examples of companies with killer products that didn't succeed against companies with less-than-stellar products BECAUSE of great marketing.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

RJacobsen — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:29:29 -0000

Great advice, I like your suggestions a lot; as they are 'off the wall' slightly... in comparison with most start-up advice.

I definitely think that being active within your community is extremely important. I also think your comments on creating a buzz are very true, I'm glad you noted on that... as I would like for our start-up to focus more on sustaining a long-term buzz.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Rob — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:29:39 -0000

I appreciate your article. We are a startup company and will take your advice on using the startup listing sites.

Re: 5 Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

allen — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:50:30 -0000

thanks for including CN in your list!