The 4 Biggest Digital Marketing Don’ts for Startups

Introducing a startup company to the world is a difficult yet exciting task. After you’ve developed your mission statement, your menu of products or services, and identified your target audience, your top priority is getting your name and your message heard by the right people. One of the easiest and most effective ways for accomplishing this goal is by developing a targeted digital marketing campaign.

Of course, no marketing strategy is perfect right off the bat, and each one requires a great deal of monitoring and revisions–a fact that many first-timers tend to overlook. As you get your footing in the digital world, here are four mistakes to avoid in your campaigns:

1. Don’t Ignore the Data. There’s no sense in flying blind as you develop an effective marketing system–it just doesn’t work that way. Instead of guessing and testing what kinds of marketing formats and messages your readers will respond to positively, harness the power of Google Analytics to help guide your decisions. This enormously insightful tool can tell you everything from how many people looked at your site to how long they stayed on site and what brought them there. You can even set up goals and conversions to give your campaign a monetary value. Use the data you collect to form and revise your ongoing plan.
2. Don’t Chase After Fleeting Trends. It can be easy to get caught up in the hype and lingo of the marketing world. New social media channels, new ways to boost your growth, and so on, will always be advertised in flashing neon lights. Some of these trendy methods may be good to try once you’re established, but as you begin, keep things simple. Target your followers via email and social media, keep up on your regular posting schedule, and measure your results (see #1 above). Once you’ve created a name for yourself, then you can feel free to do a little experimenting.
3. Don’t Set Your Expectations Too High. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worked with a company just as they opened their doors, just to have them ask why the phone isn’t ringing off the hook and they’re not up to a million followers on Facebook yet. No company is going to shoot up in popularity overnight. Establishing yourself online and within your industry takes a good amount of time–at least six months before you start seeing real results. Be patient and make sure all of your methods are deployed in a timely fashion; as time goes by, you should start to see things heating up.
4. Don’t Stick to the Same Routine. Many business owners don’t understand that there is no golden ticket to win the digital marketing game. Especially if your startup is new enough that you’re just building a following, it can be difficult to gauge what’s working and what isn’t. Don’t be afraid to edit and adjust. As the world of online marketing adapts to new algorithms and new demographics, so should you. Just keep an open mind and a flexible program for best results.

As the owner of a startup, you’ve got a great deal on your plate while you work to make your company a success. To help relieve your stress, it’s a great idea to seek the advice of or partner up with an established marketing firm who can take your advertising in the right direction. To schedule your free consultation or to learn more about what we can do for you, contact the Orlando digital marketing professionals at Elephant Ear by calling (321) 537-2649.