Jul 16 2024
Hands down, there’s something so exhilarating about starting up a new business, right? Just think about it, this is meant to be an experience filled with dreams of success and the thrill of innovation. However, the early stages of a startup can also be overwhelming.
Actually, they’re so overwhelming to the point where it can already cause burnout (within your first month). Just think about it: you and everyone else have to juggle multiple roles, trying to handle everything from product development to marketing, customer service, and even accounting.
This can quickly lead to burnout and a stalled growth trajectory. Even though automation and AI are around, surprise, surprise it's still not taking and lifting the heavy lifting that everyone in this startup has to do. So, it’s all about allowing yourself to achieve rapid growth, and it’s all about managing less to juggle. But where do you even begin? What are you even supposed to do?
Well, there are steps that startups can actually do to get a headstart! Yep, you read that right! So, with all of that said, here’s exactly what you need to know for ensuring smoother sailing in the long run.
One of the most effective ways to accelerate your startup's growth is to leverage the expertise of specialized agencies. Usually, startups will try to hire freelancers (oftentimes for low pay), but the goal is to get a head start, not stay stagnant or barely grow. So, you need to understand that you must make a full-on investment!
These can't be freelancers; you need to hire from agencies! Why agencies? Well, some agencies focus on handling a wide array of tasks, such as handling various critical aspects of your business, freeing you up to focus on your core competencies.
For example, there are agencies like SubmitJuice that not only help with launch graphics for your startup but also help with SEO. Alright, when you think of SEO, you might think of blog posts or website meta descriptions, right? Yes, these are technically a part of it.
But that’s only a small fraction. Plus, it takes a long time—months, sometimes more than a year—before a few businesses and their content start appearing as an authority on Google and other search engines. So, these agencies help with that, such as getting your website (the link) on authoritative websites (that are relevant) with a high Domain Authority score.
Basically, if you want a headstart, the bare-bones basics of SEO just won’t do it. Yes, it will help, but it doesn’t propel you; you’re not going to skyrocket. Would you rather slowly take the stairs to the top, or would you rather take a rocket?
One thing that most startups will say is, “Why would I get a developer or designer if I can just use Wix or SquareSpace to make my website? Well, people know when you’re using a template, and even those AI-made websites look absolutely awful.
You have to understand that your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. A professional, user-friendly website can make a huge difference in how your brand is perceived. Whether you choose to hire a freelance web designer or bring someone in-house, it's essential to prioritize this aspect of your startup.
It’s hard to say what’s best. Sometimes, agencies (like what was mentioned above) will offer full services, including your website. Usually, startups can’t really afford to pay anyone, so in that case, you could be better off either getting a freelancer (ideally, skipping out on Fiverr because you’ll need multiple revisions) or seeing if there’s an agency.
So, bonus points if you get an app developer from an agency or even if the freelancer knows how to do it. Not every business needs an app, and not every startup needs an app. If your startup's business model involves a mobile app, finding a web designer with app development skills can be a game-changer. But it’s going to depend on your business because the app needs great UX and UI, and sometimes that takes a full agency.
Even to this day, almost all companies (especially startups) get it wrong. Social media marketing isn’t easy. It’s not very easy to go viral, and you can’t just post a couple of pictures or a slideshow video and expect it to be a hit. So, if you use social media correctly, there can be many opportunities for your company. Now, the goal is to propel your business fast, remember? Sure, technically, going viral can, but it’s hard to go viral (so don’t make content expecting that to happen- big mistake).
You can choose an agency for it; honestly, it might be best, but a freelancer might be able to work too. It just really depends on your goal, same for in-house (at least then you can get photos done). Anyways, you need to think about the social media platform(s). Not all social media platforms are created equal, and each serves different purposes.
Identify where your target audience spends their time and focus your efforts there. For instance, LinkedIn is excellent for B2B startups, while Instagram and TikTok are ideal for consumer-facing brands with visually appealing products.
But you need to mix up the content too, videos, mini-blogs, imagery, Live, and so on. Basically, don’t post the same content non-stop, it’s just a bad idea, and it can’t be too generic either.
Actually, startups (not just individuals) need to network too. It’s about coming off as trustworthy and as an authoritative figure (or figures). So, you’ll need to attend industry events, join professional organizations, and actively seek out partnerships with other businesses. You could even look into tradeshows and have a little booth (granted, a large and expensive booth with cool free swag would get a lot of attention), but at least going to these events can really help!
Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you right away.