Marketing books for my start-up

[Jmartoral]

Hi everyone! First post here. Just finished Fastlane and loved the content, very grateful to have come across such a diverse and creative group of individuals on this forum.
I'm currently a real estate investor and in the process of finishing our start-up tailored to homeowners. I've been running Google AdWords but not much traction happening there. I spoke to an AdWords rep yesterday who advised me on things to change so giving that a few days to see what difference it makes. I've also been writing blog posts to have them ready once the developer has the blog widget added to the site (probably won't be for another few weeks though). I have posted on social media and promoted some of the posts, but I've honestly felt it's been more of a waste of time and money than it has been beneficial.
My point is, I'm a bit of at a dead end when it comes to what ways to get this site out to the masses. Anyone have any good books they recommend on how I can broaden my horizons when it comes to marketing or books that recommend to use the marketing avenues I have already started but maximizing them?
Any help would be super appreciated!

 

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[Nick T]

Hi everyone! First post here. Just finished Fastlane and loved the content, very grateful to have come across such a diverse and creative group of individuals on this forum.
I'm currently a real estate investor and in the process of finishing our start-up tailored to homeowners. I've been running Google AdWords but not much traction happening there. I spoke to an AdWords rep yesterday who advised me on things to change so giving that a few days to see what difference it makes. I've also been writing blog posts to have them ready once the developer has the blog widget added to the site (probably won't be for another few weeks though). I have posted on social media and promoted some of the posts, but I've honestly felt it's been more of a waste of time and money than it has been beneficial.
My point is, I'm a bit of at a dead end when it comes to what ways to get this site out to the masses. Anyone have any good books they recommend on how I can broaden my horizons when it comes to marketing or books that recommend to use the marketing avenues I have already started but maximizing them?
Any help would be super appreciated!

Hello,

You would probably get a lot out of Russel Brunson's books. A quick search on Amazon will bring them up.

You should start an execution thread and document your progress. This way we can all learn as you go about your journey. You can also drop your product idea in the idea thread, and have people look at in order to give you feedback.

Have you sat down with your customers to do qualitative testing? This will give you huge insights with people who are not as close to your product. Create customer avatars... know who you are talking to... just homeowners is too broad... you need to focus on things like demographics, and psychometrics. Then move on to modalities, and which environment you want to market to them through.

 

[100k]

If they knew what they were talking about they wouldn't be working for Google as an advisor for $30k/year ... they'd be running their own shit.

Sometimes its easier to just outsource it to someone that knows their shit.

... @Andy Black

 

[Jmartoral]

Hello,

You would probably get a lot out of Russel Brunson's books. A quick search on Amazon will bring them up.

You should start an execution thread and document your progress. This way we can all learn as you go about your journey. You can also drop your product idea in the idea thread, and have people look at in order to give you feedback.

Have you sat down with your customers to do qualitative testing? This will give you huge insights with people who are not as close to your product. Create customer avatars... know who you are talking to... just homeowners is too broad... you need to focus on things like demographics, and psychometrics. Then move on to modalities, and which environment you want to market to them through.

Thank you! Looks like I actually had DotCom Secrets in my Want To Read list so I'll check that one out first.

I'll take a look at the threads you suggested as well. Still getting familiar with the forum.

I have done some market research. I'm part of a real estate group and surveyed all of the homeowners, most were excited about the idea. Ideal customer is millennials and Gen X who are into DIY projects, digitally savvy, and comfortable with the shared economy (Airbnb, Uber, etc) as the site is for homeowners who want to rent their tools to neighbors. I've done the market research and market validation part; my issue is really getting the message out there effectively using digital media channels.

 

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[Jmartoral]

If they knew what they were talking about they wouldn't be working for Google as an advisor for $30k/year ... they'd be running their own shit.

Sometimes its easier to just outsource it to someone that knows their shit.

... @Andy Black

That would be ideal, but I'm trying to be as lean as possible right now since we did have to outsource the dev work. Trying to tackle the go-to-market without having to spend additional capital.

 

[Jmartoral]

Have you spoken with your target demographic?
Is your offer of value to them?
No point getting the word out if the offer sucks.

Yes, we have spoken to our target audience. That would def make sense though! Appreciate your post

 

[RealDreams]

- "Blue Ocean Strategy" - W. Chan Kim
- "This is Marketing" - Seth Godin
- "The Ultimate Marketing Plan" - Dan Kennedy

There are many more. But these gave me a decent understanding of what marketing actually is.

 

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[Jmartoral]

- "Blue Ocean Strategy" - W. Chan Kim
- "This is Marketing" - Seth Godin
- "The Ultimate Marketing Plan" - Dan Kennedy

There are many more. But these gave me a decent understanding of what marketing actually is.

Thank you!

 

[Andy Black]

If they knew what they were talking about they wouldn't be working for Google as an advisor for $30k/year ... they'd be running their own shit.

Sometimes its easier to just outsource it to someone that knows their shit.

... @Andy Black

Thanks for the tag. Maybe check out the links in my signature @Jmartoral, possibly starting with the last link.

 

[Jmartoral]

Thanks for the tag. Maybe check out the links in my signature @Jmartoral, possibly starting with the last link.

Sweet! Will listen to this today

 

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[Jmartoral]

Ideally, for running a startup, you should at minimum read Seth Godin’s This Is Marketing. To run a startup’s marketing you need an overview of the entire marketing process with an understanding of the fundamentals.

Seth’s book does that brilliantly. Other specific details will be more useful and easier to pick up once you have an overview!

Perfect. With just these answers I will be busy for a few weeks!