In the 21st century, the world has entered record numbers of online consumerism, where generation Z and younger millennial generations are at their forefront. Catering to their daily needs can lift startups from rock-bottom to become the next IPO. This may be an exaggeration, but the truth is that there are many great platforms on the internet.
Many online marketers will consult companies about various digital marketing strategies and campaigns to boost their portfolios and brands on the world wide web. While these are great tips, by all means, startups these days need to think outside the box.
Let’s look at three interesting ways marketers can help startup companies get the attention of the general public, avoiding competition and clashing with bigger brands.
Twitch Marketing
While Twitch is the largest platform for online gamers and eSport tournaments, the live streaming platform has expanded its horizons to many other areas. The platform is host to 9.9 million active streamers in January 2021, and around 140 million active users.
The platform works best for B2C startups that target generation Z and younger millennials and provide a less formative approach to problem-solving.
While gaming is still at its center, Twitch is now live hosting various events, seminars, and individual activities from content creators like:
- Yoga
- Fitness
- DIY
- Life and health coaching
- Entertainment shows
- Live comedy sessions
- Unboxing videos
- Mockumentaries
And there is much more to be listed. With such a young and dynamic audience startups can cater their marketing to live to stream. Companies like AmericanExpress, DoorDash, Monster Energy are all in the game, paying sponsored ads, employing influencers for unboxing videos, and becoming Patreons to popular streamers.
While startups might not have the same budget as big corporations, startups can cater to smaller influencers in a narrow niche. What’s also great about Twitch streamers and their content is that they do not push ads out like Youtube, but are strategically placed by their creators to have an uninterrupted streaming session.
While many companies and startups are quick to jump on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter there is one social media platform that is usually left out. Pinterest is host to 431 million monthly users in 2021 according to Statista. This means
Building an audience and making money through Pinterest has never been easier for those who know how to build engaging campaigns. Although competition is fierce, well-designed pins, infographics, videos, and gifs will always stand out from the crowd.
Pinterest’s algorithm works like a domino effect. When you share a new piece of content, the algorithm first distributes your pin to your followers. The more users engage with your pin, the more exposure it will receive. But to achieve this there are five key aspects any startup company’s social media manager will need to use:
- Good Keyword placements: Since Pinterest is a search engine, that means people are heading to Pinterest to search for something, to lookup an idea, or to find a solution. …
- Use Pinterest’s new features: these are video pins and carousels.
- Spending time on design: Make your images stand out by going the extra mile. While most users go for imagery that you can create with a free Canva account, videos are harder to make and are much more appealing to the average user.
- Add fresh content often: take some extra time if you have to from ideation to execution to bring something new to the table.
- Spend time on the platform: research is a primary key to success. Spending some time on the platform, using keywords your competitors might be using, you can understand the algorithm and user intention better.
Based on the five aforementioned points, Pinterest is a fan favorite social media platform that does not get the same hate as Meta or Twitter by the general public. For this reason, it is only recommendable as it caters to every niche and business on the internet. Its limitations are only bounded by a marketer’s or a startupper’s imagination.
Decentraland
Let’s talk about another exciting topic that enjoys its true infancy in 2022 and will go big in the coming years. The dawn of the Metaverse.
While it is debatable whether the Metaverse from companies like Meta, Microsoft, or Sandbox will cover every aspect of our lives. But it is certain that its role will grow to something much greater. Meta has already invested 10 million dollars in its Metaverse and will continue to do so.
Why?
Because the company sees it as the successor to the mobile internet. If this comes true or not, is unimportant. We all know that digital landscapes and virtual reality are a technology that has existed for many years but haven’t been utilized to their maximum potential. And this is where startups can get a foothold in the Metaverse.
Purchasing virtual land in one of these digital platforms can help shoot startup companies to the face of millions of enthusiastic and techie individuals. The purpose of buying land in the Metaverse is to construct something interesting and display your goods and services. This can be a huge opportunity for many SaaS startups.
OnlyFans
Let’s save the best for last and have a look at one of the most neglected and controversial platforms on the internet.
While there are many entrepreneurs and startup CEOs who would raise a few eyebrows if they were told that their brands will have something to do with OnlyFans. But let’s look at the platform a little closer. With 85 million registered users, many of whom are in the market for chefs, fitness trainers, and musicians, would actually miss out on a huge opportunity.
It’s not that easy for everyone to do promotion on OnlyFans. Now let’s not kid ourselves. OnlyFans is no place for every brand and every business. Just like with Twitch, B2B SaaS companies might struggle or even ruin their reputation.
But similar to Twitch, startups can hire experts who’d not only actively promote a product or service but would also take on affiliate programs and display those on their profiles. If a startup company has a product or service that has its own affiliate program, it can passively promote its brand.
Final Conclusion
In the online world, where all marketing practices involve using search engines and mainstream social media sites, there are several platforms that are truly untapped. While competition is fierce everywhere, the aforementioned platforms are still at a stage where there is plenty of space for growth and joining the early stages.
It is true that they might not be suitable for every startup, new companies should not turn a blind eye in the future from using NexGen platforms for marketing growth.
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