Marketing For Founders | Growth Hacking | Startups | Direct Response Marketing

What Kind Of Minimum Viable Product Are You Building? - MFF030

How to properly execute an MVP…In todays episode we explore some common mistakes made by new businesses on a path to success. Startups often fall into the trap of trying to “do it all.” In these moments of frustration, when the wheels feel like they’re spinning in place, we must ask ourselves the following questions. Do I want to be a business owner? Or do I want to be a designer, or developer?Today Tim and Jack discuss the power of your MVP. Are you creating a concierge MVP, a Frankenstein MVP, or a Wizard of Oz? Understanding the key differences between each type of minimum viable product will give you the knowledge for selecting the right one for your business.Which MVP should your business focus on?• Using existing online and offline tools to find and land sales, such as Mail Chimp.• Hand testing and delivering products to your customers, such as an ice cream subscription.• Hiring a designer and/or developer to create a software that does the work for you. In which you can also outsource help to manage the manual aspects of the software, ie. customer service, returns, etc.   Listen to the show at: http://marketingforfounders.com/execution/ 

Identify The Profitable Byproducts Hidden In Your Business - MFF029

Turning Waste Into Fortunes   In this episode we explore ways to increase profitability by selling your waste, literally. Tim and Jack discuss the importance of understanding and locating potential wastes which your business can profit from.   Jack is working on an interview training service for university students where they do a phone interview and get feedback on how to improve.  Through building this service, he'll gain knowledge that is just sitting around only getting used by the people who use the service.   He can take this knowledge and package it into an interview course that students (or better yet, universities) can purchase.  It could take the form of a live workshop, or a live virtual workshop, or simply online videos and exercises for them to watch and implement.   Or perhaps, you might find profitability from another business' waste. Sometimes one man’s trash in another man’s treasure. Tim saw an episode of Dirty Jobs With Mike Rowe where a hog farmer near Las Vegas take the waste of casino restaurants to feed his stock with high-quality food while lowering his costs.    How do you identify a waste product of your business?   How do you profit from your own byproduct, or those of other businesses?   Take a listen to this week's episode to find out! http://marketingforfounders.com/byproducts/   Links Mentioned In This Episode Jason Fried Making Money From Byproducts

MFF028 - Are Online To Offline Businesses Doomed To Fail?

A Postmortem Of A Startup Postmortem   In todays episode we examine the final “nail in the coffin” of bad business marketing, margins, mistakes, and quality control, as we dive deep into online and offline business strategies.   Are you making enough money to hire contractors or employees? Which should you choose and why?   We break down the necessity of training employees to carry your brand and franchise in order to capture and grow long-term customers.   What are activation business models? And how can they help you grow your customer base?    Tim and Jack discuss the relevant and key pieces needed for maintaining viral businesses when and if you hit a lottery. How can you be prepared for the unthinkable? Will you ultimately make money or lose out on a one time home-run, without catching any of the cash? Listen now to find out the biggest killers of both online and offline business strategies.   Listen to the show at: http://MarketingForFounders.com/postmortem

MFF027 - Understanding The Entrepreneurial Mind

The mind of an entrepreneur is a powerful thing. Often times our brain gets far ahead of us, trying to organize and attack many ideas at once. Are you asking yourself the most important question of your business?   What are the 20% of the things you do for your business that make the largest impact in growth?   This question is one that haunts many business startups, and even businesses that have been running successfully for years. It is important to track and analyze the marketing tactics, email makeups, and information you are spreading to your potential customers. What works and what doesn’t?   Above all, hard work, consistency, and testing will ultimately lead you to growth. The idea that “doing” as many things as possible will bring you success is highly unlikely. Almost all businesses are started and built on market research, and determining what on your list of “things to do” is most successful and powerful to your growth.   Listen to the episode on Marketing For Founders: http://marketingforfounders.com/entrepreneurial-mind/ ‎ 

MFF026 - Sales Funnels: Find 'em , Fix 'em, And Fill 'em

A sales funnel is the mechanisms you create or don’t create that guide people to your buy button. What techniques, materials, information, media, and marketing are being used to convert a potential customer into a buyer? Are you using explainer videos, info graphics, email marketing, image marketing, free books, or other free materials? What are the most important pieces to a successful sales funnel?   The first steps to a good sales funnel:   1) Craft your position. Sift sort and screen the potential customers by taking a stand in your market. Wether you are the BWM or the Rolls Royce of your niche.   2) Find out what sources are your most reliable from your marketing mechanisms.   3) Track and measure your sales funnel, and determine where potential customers are leaking out.   4) Reach out to your buyers and continue to sell them new products.   5) Finally determine where to direct your funnel. Decide what potential customers are the highest converters.   Test, test, and test again and you will find a growth pattern in your conversions. Follow the data and track everything possible.   Listen to the show at http://marketingforfounders.com/funnels/