In this blog, we share all our top tips on how to launch your startup with zero followers.
It’s no secret that social media is a double-edged sword. It can lure you into a false sense of reality, and it can certainly look easier to build a following than it actually is.
For a startup business, it sometimes feels like you’re shouting out into the void. You’ve got an excellent business foundation, but struggling to reach people to tell them all about your new offering.
But here’s the thing… everyone starts from zero. Okay, let’s not spark up a conversation about business nepotism now. ‘Almost’ everyone starts from zero. With the right strategy in place, you can go from zero to a hundred (or a thousand, or tens of thousands) real quick.
And here’s the thing: it’s proven that engaged audiences on social media drive tangible business results. It’s our job to deliver these results at GrowTraffic. As a full-service digital marketing agency, we help our clients grow their presence online. From small, independent startups to fully fledged, recognisable brands, our strategies boost traffic and engagement, time and time again.
Here’s our no-bull, easy-to-follow guide on how to launch your startup with zero followers.
GrowTraffic’s Guide On How To Launch Your Startup With Zero Followers
1. Remember: Numbers Aren’t Everything
It can be easy to be downtrodden about the number of followers your business has, but remember it’s not always about quantity, and rather quality. You’re not chasing numbers after all. You should be focusing on who follows you and why.
Acknowledge your audience’s pain points and build content that addresses them. Do this by blogging, creating how-to guides (like this one), sharing tips on socials, or giving industry insights. Whatever it is that aligns with your audience, share it freely and often.
2. Build A Strong Online Foundation
You don’t need tens of thousands of followers to make a solid impression. What’s most important is that you build a strong digital presence.
You don’t need 10,000 followers to make an impression. What you do need is a strong digital presence. That means:
- On-brand, consistent messaging across social platforms
- Clear calls-to-action to encourage conversion
3. Utilise SEO Always
Realistically, SEO takes a long time to garner results. Anyone who promises traffic within a couple of months is lying to you (sorry). While you’ve got to play the long game, it is easily one of the most cost-effective ways to build momentum when starting out.
Essentially, when you’re starting out with zero-following… Search engine optimisation is your best friend.
Here are some SEO practices that we use to help startups build an online presence and brand awareness:
4. Create Social Media Profiles
It’s hard to know what you can trust online. With so many phoney websites and scammers out there, we’ve been trained to look for specific trust signals when interacting with businesses online.
Having active social media accounts that support your website helps to confirm your credibility. Even with zero followers, you need to show up in more than one space. Keep your feed full of content that supports your branding and message.
Not sure what to post? Here are some ideas:
- “Behind the scenes” content
- Your brand’s mission and values
- Content that invites engagement (polls, questions, comments)
And don’t forget to engage with others. Comment, share, and connect. Social media is a two-way street, and your first followers often come from simply showing up and being social (no pun intended). And if you’re unsure why social media matters, check out this blog.
5. Use Paid Ads To Get A Boost
Organic growth is great, but when you’re starting from scratch, PPC and paid social advertising can give you an instant boost.
Even with a small budget, PPC can go a long way. And remember you’re only paying for what you get. Here’s what we implement for our clients:
- Google Ads campaigns targeting relevant keywords
- Social media ads that build awareness and drive traffic
- Remarketing ads that bring visitors back to convert
Like with everything at GT, we do PPC with integrity. No upselling, no unnecessary ad spends, just results-focused PPC, designed to support your startup in those early days where exposure matters.
Why GrowTraffic Is The Right Fit For Your Startup
There are a lot of digital marketing agencies out there. So why is GrowTraffic any different?
Allow us to explain why we’re the antidote to other digital marketing agencies.
- We’re honest… We don’t oversell. We tell it like it is.
- We’re transparent… You’ll always know where your budget is going and why.
- We’ve got integrity… We treat your business like it’s our own, with respect, care, and commitment.
Now you know how to launch your startup with zero followers, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of work there is to do. You shouldn’t have to worry about that when you’re already juggling so much in preparation for your launch.
Having launched a business ourselves, from the ground up, we know how difficult it is. That’s why we’ve built our agency around empowering others to grow, starting from the very beginning.
Don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself exactly how we’ve supported our clients here.
For more help on how to launch your startup with zero followers, reach out to us today! Alternatively, keep up to date on our blog, where we share everything you need to know about running a successful digital marketing campaign.