the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Growth Hacking: How does one grow a highly unique business or a personality driven venture that has rejected growth-hacking, ppc ads, social media and all?
DT
DT
Doug Thomas, Full-Stack Positioning-First Marketing answered:

My gosh, this would be a dream for me right now. I've done marketing for the past decade and have had a bit of a reckoning that much of the tactical toolbox is missing the fundamentals that really leads to real success.

(Without being able to see your profile, sorry! Feel free to link me) I think what you're looking for is an alternative to a ton of "quick-win" tactics. To be honest I'd generally suggest that some of these tactics be used -- but only as a part of your overall strategy. There's a world of difference in results between using paid search as an advertising channel and quickly rolling up some PPC campaigns.

But to avoid most "quick win" strategies, I'd really think about focusing on your brand. There's two questions I'd ask yourself:

• Is your product doing something better or different than the rest of the market?
• Do you have a set of potential customers that care about the aspects of your business you're highlighting?

I'd then take these answers to start figuring out how to get in front of your audience with the message of differentiation. For consumer-facing brands, TV, Radio, Print Ads, and the like can really make an impact. For business-focused brands, event sponsorships, columns, and other kinds of authority-building advertising can be extremely valuable. But the exact channel mix and marketing strategy will flow entirely from your company's clientele and your brand's positioning.

For what it's worth, I'd love to talk with you a bit more about how you can build your strategy for sustainable marketing strategies and get your business the kind of marketing it deserves.

Talk to Doug Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.