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Achim’s Razor

Positioning, Messaging, and Branding for B2B tech companies. Keep it simple. Keep it real.

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Insight

The Cause & Effect of Positioning and Messaging in B2B Tech Campaigns

Learn how positioning and messaging drive B2B tech campaign success. Discover the ripple effect and get actionable insights. Tune into the podcast for more.
October 18, 2024
|
5 min read

Positioning and messaging can make or break a B2B tech brand. Understanding the cause and effect of good and bad marketing helps us make better decisions. When grounded in solid insight, strategy and execution produce better outcomes. Focus on your best-fit customers, clear messaging, and give your marketing time to work.

Takeaways

  • Solid customer and market research leads to better strategies and outcomes.
  • Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Carve out your niche and focus on your unique audience.
  • Clear, customer-focused messaging that communicates value highlights your differentiation.
  • Good design communicates. If it doesn’t sell, it’s not creative.
  • Marketing takes time. Don’t expect instant wins.
  • Tune into the StrategyCast Podcast on Tuesday, October 22 for more.

The Ripple Effect

Positioning and messaging can make or break a B2B tech brand. This is especially true for startups struggling to get noticed. 

When we nail our positioning, messaging gets easier, as mentioned in last week’s article, How to Create Effective Marketing Messages for B2B Tech Companies

The Ripple Effect: One small change can have an enormous impact.

But when we don’t know who it’s for and what it’s for, we just add to the noise. 

A few weeks ago, I was a guest on Strategy Cast, an excellent marketing insights podcast hosted by Lori Jones, CEO of Avocet Communications

We explored how the right positioning and messaging can elevate a campaign, broke down common myths and pitfalls, shared some juicy examples, and offered tips to stay on track.  

The walkaway? Understand the ripple effect of good (or bad) positioning and messaging and you’ll be able to build a reputable brand. 

Check out the full episode next Tuesday, October 22.

Ask Better Questions

Every business starts at ground zero. We can all relate to the stress of finding new opportunities. And when potential buyers trickle in, we tend to panic. 

But chasing more leads without stopping to ask the right questions is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks.

And hope ain’t a strategy, folks. 

When the pipeline’s dry, the issue isn’t always volume.

Is it a messaging problem? Could we be creating cognitive barriers with vague or self-serving messages? If people don’t know how our stuff solves their problems, they’re not going to buy it.

Is it a positioning problem? Maybe we’re targeting the wrong audience. Maybe we think our product is something it’s not. Maybe our brand doesn’t have the cache to stand out. Without clarity on who it’s for, what it’s for, and why anyone should give a damn, we’ll keep blending in.

Or is it a sales and marketing alignment issue? Revenue gaps often start upstream. Misalignment here could be the elephant in the room no one’s talking about. If we’re not on the same page, how do we expect to instill confidence and trust in our customers?

In A More Beautiful Question, Warren Berger offers a three-part Why–What if–How framework to help ask better, deeper questions to get to the root of the problem. 

A More Beautiful Question 3-Part Framework

Throwing more leads at a broken system won’t help.

Be curious. Be inquisitive. 

Look for the root cause instead of reacting to the effects. 

The Heart of the Matter

Marketing is all about people. It doesn’t matter if it’s B2B, B2C, or B2Whatever. We are irrational creatures. What works today, doesn’t guarantee it will work tomorrow.

But we do business with people we like and trust.

Marketing is all about People.

Marketing is hard. Effective marketing is even harder. And it’s frustratingly hard to measure. 

When things aren’t working, it’s easy to jump to conclusions (the most exercise we tend to get) and fixate on more ads, more leads, bigger campaigns, blah, blah, blah.  

But that’s just a band-aid on a broken leg.

To get to the real issue, we have to diagnose before we prescribe.

Are we solving the right problems? Or are we throwing tactics at something that needs a strategic fix? 

A good example is when we tinker with messaging. Always validate messaging against positioning BEFORE making any updates. Why? Because content quickly becomes a rat’s nest when it no longer aligns with our positioning. 

The C-Suite thinks big picture. It’s all about strategic alignment—how do we tie marketing’s efforts to the broader company goals?

Managers? They’re down in the trenches bridging strategy and execution—real, tactical steps they can implement today.

And for team members, it’s about execution. Their world is day-to-day. If the strategy and plans aren’t clear, how can we expect them to carry it out effectively?

The key takeaway here? Diagnose the real problem before diving in with solutions. 

The Essentials: Insight, Strategy, and Execution

Building a successful B2B tech brand is rooted in solid insight. The better the insight the better the strategy. And the better the strategy, the better the execution. 

Here’s a quick rundown of my chat with Lori:

  • Insight: Great marketing is rooted in great insight. Customer and market research drives effective strategy. Guessing leads to failure.
  • Positioning: Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Focus on best-fit customers (you want more of them). Niche down to the smallest viable market.
  • Messaging: Relevant customer-focused messaging that communicates differentiated value builds trust and credibility.
  • Creative: Good design communicates so focus on communication, not decoration. Remember: If it doesn’t sell, it isn’t creative (thanks, David Ogilvy).
  • Marketing Time Lag: Patience is key. Marketing takes time to show results—don’t let unrealistic expectations throw you off.

For the full scoop plus examples, tune in to my conversation with Lori next Tuesday, October 22.

Final Thoughts

In B2B tech marketing, everything is connected. Insight drives strategy, strategy shapes execution, and execution determines outcomes. It’s a chain reaction—the better your positioning and messaging, the better the engagement.

If you’re trying and failing to generate more leads, build trust, or create lasting customer relationships, start by digging up the root cause, which is typically a lack of insight. Fix that, and the results will follow.

Remember: A pretty house of cards is still a house of cards. One small gust and down she goes. 

For a deeper dive into the cause and effect of successful campaigns, watch the full episode with Lori this coming Tuesday, October 22. 

And if you haven't already, connect with Lori on LinkedIn.

If you like this content, here are some more ways I can help:

  • Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized tips and freebies throughout the week.
  • Work with me. Schedule a call to see if we’re a fit. No obligation. No pressure.
  • Subscribe for ongoing insights and strategies (enter your email below).

Cheers!

This article is AC-A and also published and discussed on LinkedIn. Join the conversation!

Insight

Why B2B Tech Companies Can’t Ignore Brand Building

B2B tech companies must invest in brand building to protect against algorithm shifts, AI disruptions, and ensure long-term trust and loyalty.
October 11, 2024
|
5 min read

Digital marketing is a minefield. Algorithms constantly change, AI is taking over tasks, and platforms like Google and LinkedIn can make your business disappear overnight. But there’s one thing that can’t be yanked away—your brand. Invest in it. Build trust, loyalty, and long-term growth that no algorithm can touch. Don’t put it off.

Takeaways

  • One day you’re on top, the next day you’re invisible. Don’t rely on algorithms you can’t control.
  • AI can automate, but it won’t build relationships or trust.
  • Strong brands outlast algorithm shifts, trends, and tech disruptions.
  • Betting everything on SEO is risky. Build your brand on solid ground across multiple channels.
  • Platforms can pull the plug at any time, but your brand is something you own and control.

The Brand Imperative

We’re living in unpredictable times. Between algorithm mood swings and AI creeping into every task, one thing’s clear: we’re not in Kansas anymore.

We're not in Kansas anymore.

Case in point:

“Google’s inconsistent treatment of smaller businesses is unfair... the traffic of large brands is surging while organic traffic is a roller coaster for smaller companies.”
 
Elie Berreby, Senior SEO Specialist

One day our website is ranking high. The next? Back of the bus. We’re left scratching our heads, thinking, “WTF just happened?”

WTF just happened?

But while algorithms are all over the map, one thing remains constant: our brand reputation.

The importance of brand-building has never been greater. No algorithm or LMM can yank our brand reputation from under us. 

Think of your brand as your safety net. 

It will always be there to cover you when things go sideways. 

The SEO Gamble

SEO ain’t what it used to be. It’s become a lottery—and the odds aren’t in our favor.

One day, we see a surge in organic traffic. Awesome! But then, POOF! It’s gone. No changes made, no warnings given. 

Is Google running a casino? 

Take a look at this:

Unexpected organic traffic drop in Google

Elie Berreby recently shared this on LinkedIn. It shows a small but reputable company enjoying a 55% boost in organic traffic over 45 days. Pretty good, right?

But then, out of nowhere, Google crushes their visibility. WTF? 

“Hope and despair in 45 days... Organic traffic divided by almost 10. Again, absolutely nothing changed.”
 
Elie Berreby, Senior SEO Specialist

Read Elie’s post for the full story.

How do we build a business on something this unpredictable? 

We can spend months perfecting our SEO strategy, but one algorithm update can knock us off the map overnight.

So, what’s the answer?

Diversify and build up your brand. Don’t put all your eggs in the SEO basket. 

Who cares about ranking when people remember your brand? 

AI Can’t Replace Brand Reputation

We’re in the middle of another industrial revolution (the 5th), this time driven by AI. And yeah, AI will replace jobs—just like every innovation leap before it.

The Fifth Industrial Revolution

Sure, AI can pump out content, automate tasks, and crunch data—it’ll only get better at it. But let’s be clear: AI can’t replace creativity or spark emotional connections. Only people can do that. And people buy from people they know and trust—not from machines.

“Will LLMs and GenAI replace jobs? Absolutely. Will it put people out of work? Yes and no. It depends on who adapts and who doesn’t.”

Long-Term Brand-Building Benefits Everyone

As long as we manage and maintain our brand consistently, it can last indefinitely—think IBM or GE. Google’s algorithm might pull the rug out from under us overnight, and LinkedIn’s false positives can “ban” us anytime, but a credible brand reputation? That’s something no algorithm can touch.

Elie Berreby’s story is a wake-up call of how unpredictable digital platforms can be. We can be riding high one day and then freak out the next—and we didn’t even do anything differently! It’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the reality of blind faith.

When people know and trust our brand, they’ll seek us out—no matter what Google, LinkedIn, Meta, or any other third-party platform arbitrarily decides. That’s brand equity. 

A credible brand reputation creates something no platform can take away: human connection and loyalty. Customers who trust us will come back, share our story, and advocate for us—even when big tech shuts us out.

Beware The Digital Monopoly

The platforms we rely on—Google, LinkedIn, Meta, etc.—hold all the cards. One algorithm tweak, one policy change, and we’re instantly invisible. And it’s not just SEO.

Entire profiles can disappear in a heartbeat, just like Elie Berreby’s LinkedIn account.

His account was automatically banned all because a false positive in LinkedIn’s algorithm flagged him as a spammer. It took over a month to get it restored—with an apology—but only because he knew someone on the inside.

“People searching for me could not find me anymore. Every trace of my existence was removed from LinkedIn.”
 
Elie Berreby, Senior SEO Specialist

One false positive from an algorithm, and suddenly, you’re gone—without warning. And if you have thousands of followers and rely on that network for business, you are at the whim of the platform. That’s a digital monopoly. 

Big platforms control our visibility, and when we rely too much on them, we’re playing with fire. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

We can’t control the algorithms, but we can control how and where people see and remember us.

TIP: Always own your content. For example, if you publish a blog, make sure it lives in multiple places. If one platform “goes down” you’re still covered.

Practical Tips for Building Your B2B Tech Brand

Final Thoughts

Platforms change, algorithms evolve, and AI will keep pushing boundaries. But through all that, one thing remains constant—our brand reputation. It’s the only thing we can fully control in a world where digital monopolies and unpredictable algorithms are out of our control.

Look at companies like GE, IBM, Disney, and HP. They’ve stood the test of time—surviving multiple industrial revolutions—because of their solid brand reputations.

Our brand is our safety net. As Warren Buffett once said, “The brand is the economic moat of the business.” In other words, a strong brand is what protects us from unforeseen changes.

It’s what people remember when the platforms fail, the rankings drop, or our account gets suspended. Customers don’t stick around because of where we rank—they stay because they trust us and the value we bring.

So, if you haven’t already, now’s the time to invest in your brand. Build something that lasts. Because while the digital world is always shifting, a strong brand will always keep you grounded.

If you like this content, here are some more ways I can help:

  • Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized tips and freebies throughout the week.
  • Work with me. Schedule a call to see if we’re a fit. No obligation. No pressure.
  • Subscribe for ongoing insights and strategies (enter your email below).

Cheers!

This article is AC-A and also published and discussed on LinkedIn. Join the conversation!

Execution

How to Create Effective Marketing Messages for B2B Tech Companies

Learn how to create clear, relevant B2B tech marketing messages that resonate with your audience and drive results with consistent, value-focused messaging.
October 4, 2024
|
5 min read

Messaging for B2B tech marketing starts with positioning, not the other way around. Get positioning right and messaging gets much easier. And when we focus on value over features, and make customers the heroes of the story, we create marketing that generates interest and intent.

Takeaways

  • Get positioning locked in before creating any messaging.
  • Ask customers why they chose you and use their insights to shape your messaging.
  • Focus on the unique value of your solution instead of jargon and fluff.
  • Create boilerplate templates to ensure consistency across all channels.
  • A brand pyramid helps organize positioning and messaging.

Getting Started

You nailed your positioning—fantastic! Now it’s time to turn positioning into B2B tech marketing messages your audience will notice and understand. 

If you’re still figuring that out, hit pause and check out my step-by-step guide: How to Position B2B Tech Solutions

And a quick heads-up: It’s easy to go overboard and overwhelm people with too much info. Don’t. Just provide enough to spark interest and get them to ask for more. Keep it clear, relevant, and, most of all, useful.

Think of messaging as a conversation starter. It connects, educates, and builds brand reputation.

Sticky content gets attention and makes people care. Skip the fluff and get to the point. 

Staedtler: Get To The Point.

Clarity is Essential in B2B Tech

Let’s not drown our audience in technical jargon or overcomplicated product-speak. We want people to immediately understand our value, not work for it.

One of the best movie lines that encapsulates this is from Denzel Washington in “Philadelphia.”

Explain it to me like I’m a 4yo.
Image source: Giphy

Focus on clear, simple sentences that get the point across quickly. And remember, we’re not just listing features and benefits. We’re putting the spotlight on our differentiated value—what our solution does that no one else can. Speak directly to customers’ pains, fears, and motivations, using language that anyone can understand.

Slack logo

A good example is Slack. Initially, their messaging focused on specific features like “team communication” and “chat platforms.” When they shifted to “Where Work Happens,” Slack became known as a workspace, connecting more with the collaborative needs of teams rather than just chat functions. This change allowed Slack to create messaging that resonated with a wider audience of businesses, from startups to large enterprises, and helped them become a dominant tool in business communication. 

The simpler the message, the faster and better it sticks.

Be Relevant

When creating marketing messages for B2B tech, make the customer the hero. They saw something special in your stuff. Find out what that is. Ask them… yes, it is really THAT simple. 

Customers will tell us what to say and how to say it. Once we get in tune with them, we can create marketing messages that mean something to them. 

That is relevance—and relevance generates interest, intent, and growth. 

Not to brag, but one of my favorite examples of this is the work I did for BELLIN Treasury. Their primary challenge was effectively communicating their unique value to the US market. Their German positioning, “Treasury das glücklich macht” (Treasury that makes you happy), didn’t capture the spirit BELLIN aimed to establish with potential customers. “Treasury That Moves You” created the emotional connection for English-speaking markets, going beyond mere functionality and growing the business 4x in four years.

BELLIN Treasury: Positioning and messaging before and after
BELLIN Treasury: Positioning and messaging before (L) and after (R)

For more on this story, check out the BELLIN Case Study.

Boilerplate Messaging

It’s a good idea to create boilerplate marketing messages for B2B tech companies. It’s easy to get lost in our tech and boilerplates help ensure consistency and clarity across all channels.

They lay the foundation for every conversation we have with customers, partners, and even with ourselves. They ensure we’re always aligned and speaking with one voice, no matter the context. 

Here are some templates to consider when building a boilerplate toolkit:

  • One-Liner: A quick sound bite that sums up our value in one sentence—30 seconds max.
  • One Paragraph: A brief description that expands on our one-liner.
  • 100-Word Description: A concise overview of our brand and solution.
  • 500-Word Brand Story: A more detailed narrative that tells our brand’s story.
  • Brand Promise: The one thing customers can always count on when dealing with us.
  • USP: What makes our solution unique compared to the alternatives.
  • Elevator Pitch: A short and sweet version of what we do and why it matters—2 minutes max.
  • PR Strapline: The hook that grabs attention in public relations and marketing.

Remember to always validate any messages against your positioning—never the other way around. Always start with positioning. If you need to change your messaging, you will need to go back and update your positioning first. 

If you need a template to work through your boilerplates, check out Page 5 of my Brand Playbook.

Create a Brand Pyramid

A brand pyramid helps organize our messaging by starting with the details and working up to the bigger picture. It keeps everything aligned, from features to our overall brand personality and tone.

Build it starting from the bottom and move up one level at a time:

  • Brand Features: What specific features set our solution apart? These are the tangible elements that make us stand out.
  • Functional Benefits: What practical advantages does our solution offer? These are the everyday problems we solve for our customers.
  • Customer Rewards: What benefits do customers gain by using our solution? These are the outcomes that make a difference to them.
  • Key Values: What core principles guide everything we do? These should be reflected in all our interactions and decisions.
  • Personality: What’s the tone and style of our brand? This defines how we’re perceived and how we engage with the market.

A brand pyramid is a bird’s eye view of how our messaging connects at every level. 

If you need a template to work through your brand pyramid, check out Page 6 of my Brand Playbook.

Free & Ungated Brand Playbook Template

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, creating sticky marketing messages for B2B tech companies means simplifying, staying relevant, and making sure to communicate value for your audience.

Since we’ve already nailed our positioning, we can use that insight to translate what make us unique into clear, relevant messages that connect with our audience and make them care a lot about the stuff we make.

Customers will tell us what they need to hear, so listen, stay consistent, and create messaging that supports every conversation, from elevator pitches to brand stories.

Messaging that communicates our value gets noticed, remembered, and acted on.

Keep it simple, keep it real, and always lead with value. 

If you like this content, here are some more ways I can help:

  • Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized tips and freebies throughout the week.
  • Work with me. Schedule a call to see if we’re a fit. No obligation. No pressure.
  • Subscribe for ongoing insights and strategies (enter your email below).

Cheers!

This article is AC-A and also published and discussed on LinkedIn. Join the conversation!

Insight

Your Main Competitor Isn’t Another Product or Company

Indecision in B2B tech sales is often rooted in the Status Quo and Fear of Messing Up (FOMU). Learn how to help customers make confident purchasing decisions.
September 27, 2024
|
5 min read

You just finished a stellar product demo. Your prospect is nodding along, clearly impressed. But then you hear, “We need to think about it.” Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. B2B tech start-ups and scale-ups often find themselves battling the silent killer of B2B sales: indecision. 

Takeaways

  • The status quo and fear are often your biggest competitors, not another product or service.
  • Building trust takes time, but it’s essential to overcoming buyer indecision.
  • Use the JOLT Method to help customers make confident decisions.
  • Back up claims with credible proof to overcome objections and indecision.

FOMO vs FOMU

Guess what? You know that thing that keeps your deals in limbo? Or your sales team ghosted? It’s not you. And it’s not “so-and-so’s cool new widget.” 

A lot of the time we’re dealing with the status quo. 

Monty Python: "We've already got one"

That said, indecision is also deeply rooted in something much bigger than the status quo: fear. 

Sometimes it’s FOMO: the Fear of Missing Out. But it’s more likely FOMU: the Fear of Messing Up.

In a nutshell, think of FOMO as the anxiety of missing out on something great, whereas FOMU is driven by the fear of making a bad decision that backfires.

“Where overcoming the status quo is about dialing up the fear of not purchasing, overcoming indecision is about dialing down the fear of purchasing.”
 
Matthew Dixon, Ted McKenna,
The JOLT Effect

Here’s the good news: you can overcome indecision, and I’ll show you how.

We’re not the only game in town (that’s a good thing)

Most of us think our biggest challenge is beating out the other guy’s bright shiny object. But the real opportunity is showing customers why staying the same is riskier than moving forward. 

40%-60% of B2B deals end in “No Decision”

Doing nothing feels safe, but it comes at a cost—time, money, and missed opportunities. Our job is to help buyers overcome indecision and make change feel like the obvious, logical choice.

The status quo is our comfort zone, sure, but when we see how much better life can be and how much easier our jobs can be, that’s the Aha Moment.

It’s not always about the direct competitors

Customers don’t always compare us to another solution—they compare us to whatever they currently use and as long as that keeps the business running, they’re good. 

It could be a spreadsheet, a manual process, an intern, or just doing nothing. That might just be good enough and not worth the hassle to switch.

We sometimes overthink this and “ass-u-me” it has to be a better whatchamacallit. 

Give them a reason to trust you

The fear of making the wrong choice is very real. I personally experienced this with a well-known marketing automation platform. It ended in a classic bait-and-switch that cost me my job at the time. To say I was gun-shy afterwards is putting it lightly. 

There’s a reason people say, “No one ever got fired for buying IBM.” They built a brand so trusted, buyers felt confident it was always the safest choice. You can earn that level of trust, too—by consistently delivering value and building your reputation over time.

If we want buyers to trust us, we need to create awareness and instill confidence in our company and the stuff it makes. Like developing any relationship, building a solid brand reputation like IBM takes time. The sooner we invest in it, the sooner we create the credibility we need to earn that trust. 

Showing and telling customers that “staying the same will cost them in the long run” is one thing. Backing it up with credible proof is another. And that’s what it takes to help buyers feel confident about choosing our stuff. 

Understand Their Problem Space

Find out what’s bugging them. What’s holding them back? We may think their current solution isn’t ideal—but do we know why? 

Pinpoint their fears and frustrations. Be crystal clear about the problems you solve and how to overcome their challenges. What pain do customers deal with every day? What’s working? What’s not? Why? 

Oftentimes, they’re making it work with what they’ve got. “Good enough” is always a safe answer. We’re not just competing with other products—we’re competing with the way things have always been done. 

If we’re stuck comparing features with other products, we’re missing the bigger picture. Step back, look at what’s keeping your customers comfortable, and show them how you can make things better. When we nail this, we demonstrate how well our solution fits.

Overcome Indecision with the JOLT Method

The JOLT Effect is an excellent sales strategy book by Matt Dixon and Ted McKenna. It outlines a simple four-step process that assesses buyer indecisiveness.

  • Judge the indecision: Determine the customer’s ability to make decisions. We need to know if our prospect has decision authority.
  • Offer your recommendation: Give a recommendation. Indecisive customers need help, not more options.
  • Limit the exploration: Provide enough information—but not too much—and keep customers moving toward the sale. Avoid information overload.
  • Take risk off the table: Focus on solutions that limit risk when dealing with uncertain customers. These can include opt-outs, refund and change clauses, or other ways to decrease the risk.

The JOLT Effect: Indecision exists in moderate or high levels on 87% of sales opportunities.

By following the JOLT Method, you take buyers from uncertainty to confidence, helping them overcome FOMO and FOMU and making the decision to choose you a no-brainer.

Trust isn’t built overnight, but now is a good time to start

Building trust takes time and every interaction you have with a customer is a chance to build it. The more they see you as a trusted partner—not just another vendor—the more likely they will eventually choose you over the alternatives. Over time, this trust becomes your biggest asset, and it’s how you beat the status quo every time.

“No one ever got fired for buying [insert your brand here],” has a nice ring to it, wouldn’t you agree?

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is Brand Reputation.
3D background image: Flyover Zone

Final Thoughts

Your competition isn’t just another bright shiny object—it’s indecision. But when you reframe the challenge, build confidence, and paint a picture of a better world, you’re not just selling a product—you’re helping buyers take a step forward. And that’s how you win.

Ready to build trust and crush indecision for your B2B tech solution? Let’s chat about how we can make it happen.

If you like this content, here are some more ways I can help:

  • Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized tips and freebies throughout the week.
  • Work with me. Schedule a call to see if we’re a fit. No obligation. No pressure.
  • Subscribe for ongoing insights and strategies (enter your email below).

Cheers!

This article is AC-A and also published and discussed on LinkedIn. Join the conversation!

Strategy

5 Steps to Validate Your B2B Tech Startup and Improve Your Website

Learn how to validate your B2B tech startup in 5 steps—customer research, problem-solution fit, market opportunity, positioning, and revenue potential.
September 20, 2024
|
5 min read

Startups don’t have a problem starting. They hit a plateau when they try to scale. Typically that’s when spray-and-pray tactics occur. But before diving into random acts of marketing, let’s take a step back and evaluate who our solution is for and why anyone should care.

Key Takeaways

  • Conversations with our best-fit customers help us understand their pain points, motivations, and fears.
  • Once we know how our solution solves our customers’ problems, we need to clearly communicate that value.
  • Competition may not always be another solution or company. Oftentimes it’s the status quo. 
  • Testing and iterating our messaging early helps us nail down what our customers care about.
  • Understanding our customer’s buying cycle helps us gauge urgency.

I often get asked by founders of tech startups how to take their company to the next level once they have built their solution and created their website. 

Typically these companies know more about the stuff they make than who it’s for. 

It usually goes something like this:  

  • Make something cool
  • Tell people about it
  • Show it off to whoever is interested
  • Make a cool website
  • Then… um… yeah… now what?

There are too many amazing products and services with little to no marketing muscle backing them up. 

When we’re getting going, it’s very common to get caught up in our tech and leave marketing to the 11th hour. It usually ends up being very tactical—lots of pretty pictures but zero substance. 

Before you jump on the tactics bandwagon like everyone else, take a breath and walk through this preliminary discovery checklist. It will help you figure out if your solution actually solves a problem, if there’s a viable market niche, and whether customers will pay for it. 

At the end, I’ll throw in a few quick wins to improve your website experience while you’re at it.

1. Customer Research 

Yup, I’m beating this drum again. 

The first thing to remember is that marketing is all about people. Living, breathing human beings buy our stuff, not machines. 

If you have amazing tech that people should know about, you need to be able to tell them you have it… in their language… from their perspective. Yeah, it’s harder than it sounds. 

  • Best-fit customers. Make a list of the ones who cannot live without you. The ones who will love you even when you increase your prices. You want more of them. They will help you get to the next level. Not everyone will buy your stuff so don’t try being everything to everyone.
  • Interview the customers on your list. Ask them why they chose you. Do they even know they have a problem? If your customer doesn’t recognize the pain point you’re solving, your solution’s dead in the water. 
  • Have a conversation and listen carefully. What’s driving their decisions? Understand their motivations, fears, and concerns. Fear is very real in tech purchases. Don’t fob it off. 

NOTE: If you don’t have any customers yet, don’t panic. Make a list of the characteristics that would make up your ideal customer. Then reach out to anyone in your network who fits the bill. Then do the work mentioned above.  

2. Problem-Solution Fit

  • Focus on value. We may be in love with our bright shiny objects, but no one else is. At least not yet. To get their attention, buyers need to know that we have a solution to their problem and that we can be trusted. We need to communicate that differentiated value in simple language backed by credible proof. Our unique value should validate that what we’ve built addresses the pain and doubts buyers feel. Emphasis on “feel.”
  • Need vs. Want. Just because our solution is cool doesn’t mean it’s needed. And even if it is needed, it still may not be wanted. Say hello to the status quo. That means we have work to do. Go back to the insights we collected in our customer interviews and figure out if we are solving a problem worth solving. Be honest. 

3. Market Opportunity

  • Know what you’re up against. Thinking we’re the only game in town is a fool’s errand. Don’t just check out competitors, think about alternatives—the status quo and the fear of fucking up are the underlying reasons deals end in no decision. Then be super clear about how you’re different. Do you stand out or are you just blending in?
  • Is there room to grow? Make sure the market isn’t saturated or a barren wasteland. Then determine your category. Are you a big fish in a small pond? Are you creating a new category? Are you David going after Goliath? These questions are more difficult to answer when we lack insight. 

4. Positioning Hypothesis

  • Test your messaging. It won’t matter how amazing our solutions are if no one understands what they do. Test and iterate. Rinse and repeat. Early feedback helps fine-tune our positioning so that customers know exactly why they should care a lot about the stuff we make.
  • Back it up. Build trust as soon as possible. If we’re not creating awareness, confidence, and trust at every opportunity, we won’t make the shortlist. Always ask for testimonials and case studies when interviewing customers. Proof points and success stories sharpen our messaging and showcase the credibility we have already established. This provides air cover for sales down the road. 

5. Revenue Potential

  • Be upfront about money. Don’t wait to have pricing conversations. Can customers afford it? Do they have budget for it? If they don’t have the budget now, cut your losses and come back when they do.
  • Understand their urgency. Figure out their buying cycle. Are they serious or just curious? How soon do they need this? Is something holding them back? If they’re dragging their feet, you need to know why.

Website Tweaks to Improve the Buyer Experience

As you work through your validation homework, you will unearth insights that can potentially clarify your positioning and messaging. Keep things loose in the early going. When you have clarity, you can make adjustments to your website and get feedback relatively fast. 

Here are some things to evaluate:

  • Value proposition. Buyers need to know within seconds what problem you’re solving and why they should give a damn. Right now, your homepage might be too vague—clarify your message by focusing on what makes you different and unique.
  • Navigation. Don’t make people work to find the info they need. Your site should guide visitors to the answers they’re looking for, not force them into a maze.
  • Mobile-first. Content needs to be mobile-friendly. That means buyers “get it” within a few thumb scrolls. Nail the mobile experience first and you will nail the tablet and desktop experience too. Make sure the content is about your customers and how your solution solves their problems—leave the feature-dumps for later.

Final Thoughts

Before you burn through your marketing budget, make sure you have something people need.

Use this checklist to help you validate your solution, sharpen your positioning, and avoid costly mistakes. 

And while you’re working through the process, don’t forget to keep things loose, making adjustments to your website content along the way. Don’t worry about the design at this stage, focus on the messaging.

After you have completed the checklist, dive deeper into these topics:

Need help with your validation process? Let’s talk! 

If you like this content, here are some more ways I can help:

  • Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized tips and freebies throughout the week.
  • Work with me. Schedule a call to see if we’re a fit. No obligation. No pressure.
  • Subscribe for ongoing insights and strategies (enter your email below).

Cheers!

This article is AC-A and also published and discussed on LinkedIn. Join the conversation!

Insight

Break Free from the Lead Gen Trap and Build a Brand That Lasts

Tired of chasing leads? Learn why lead generation alone won’t drive long-term success for your B2B tech company. Boost your brand reputation instead.
September 13, 2024
|
5 min read

Many B2B tech startups and scaleups get caught chasing leads and peddling products to anyone who will listen. 

It’s natural. But it’s also a means to an end—including burnout.

Chasing leads might provide a quick hit, but it doesn’t build brand reputation and it doesn’t scale. 

Here’s how to escape the Lead-Gen hamster wheel and build something that lasts. 

Good News & Bad News

First the bad bad news

Lead Generation and Demand Generation? They’re the same thing. Sorry (yep, I’m Canadian). 

Here’s why:

“Demand-Gen and Lead-Gen are the same… even if Demand-Gen marketers want to pretend otherwise. How are they both actually measured? MQLs and Pipeline!”
 
Dale W. Harrison

Demand-Gen used to mean creating demand for our products and services; now it means generating leads, which Lead-Gen already does. However, the demand we think we are generating for leads rarely equates to buyers who buy our stuff in the timeframe we expect. 

When they do eventually buy (usually not our stuff), it’s because they already have 2-3 credible and trusted solutions on their list on Day 1. They’re not interested in our stuff no matter how many unsolicited emails we send or Google Ads we buy. 

The 2024 B2B Buying Disconnect Report from TrustPilot and Pavillion is a good wakeup call:

2024 B2B Buying Disconnect Report from TrustPilot and Pavillion.

Here’s the brutal truth: Lead-Gen doesn’t create demand. It captures what’s already out there. So when the demand isn’t there (hello, slow quarter), we double down on more aggressive—and let’s be honest—desperate “stalker” tactics. 

“The reality is that Demand-Gen motions NEED to be supported by an intentional brand effort to be in the consideration set.”
 
Liam Moroney

In their seminal report, The Long and the Short of It, Les Binet and Peter Field identify two types of marketing:

  1. Sales Activation delivers short-term growth. It increases sales right away, but the results decay quickly and its effectiveness doesn’t increase over time.
  2. Brand Building delivers long-term growth. It delivers some short-term lifts, but the true value of brand building is how it compounds over time and influences future sales from future buyers.

Sales Activation is a sugar rush. 

It’s short-term and difficult to maintain and scale.

LinkedIn B2B Institute: Sales Activation and Brand Building.

Now The Good News

Just add water. In our case, water is Brand Building. Water is life.

And just like how water grows a seed into a forest, brand building kind of works the same way. 

Think of any brand you’re loyal to. They aren’t big because they “got lucky” and it certainly didn’t happen for them overnight. And I bet you didn’t love them the day they were born. 

Of course, short-term activation is necessary, especially for startups. But if that’s all we do, we’re going to keep coming off that sugar high and crashing. 

Why? Because unlike sales, marketing is a non-linear multiplier of business performance. 

And non-linear multipliers are not ROI-friendly.

“The marketing budgets you’re about to spend in Q4 will not have any measurable impact on Sales for at least two quarters. That gap is both innate to how the function works and is significantly influenced by external marketplace forces, i.e. headwinds and tailwinds.”
 
Mark Stouse 

So no, don’t stop generating demand and leads. But augment that effort by investing in your brand reputation at the same time.

Brand Building is long-term growth. It doesn’t decay over time like Sales Activation does. 

It’s a steady, reliable increase in awareness, confidence, and trust in the stuff we make.

It will also give the sales team the aircover they need when future buyers start knocking on our door. 

Case Study: DRIFT

Drift logo

In 2017, Drift removed all content gates from their site—a bold step in B2B marketing at the time. It was a significant pivot away from traditional lead generation tactics to a focus on brand building and conversational marketing. 

  • Before: Drift relied heavily on lead generation tactics like gated content and aggressive outbound sales. While they pulled in leads, conversion rates were low, and churn was high. They realized their short-term leadgen approach wasn’t driving sustainable growth.
  • After: Drift pivoted to brand building by removing content gates, creating a community, and positioning themselves as the leader in conversational marketing. This shift resulted in higher conversions, better customer retention, and long-term revenue growth, proving that a strong brand fuels sustainable success. They still generated demand and leads, but the focus on brand building also made their sales activation more focused and aligned with their brand.

The changes paid off as Drift became widely recognized for pioneering a new approach to customer engagement. By 2023 they were valued at $1B, and by February 2024, they were acquired by Salesloft

Brand Building: Your Secret Weapon

No, Brand is not that symbol burnt into the side of a cow (that’s different—although it does have its roots there).

Warren Buffet sums it up perfectly:

Warren Buffet: The brand is the competitive advantage; the economic moat of the business.

Think about that for a second. 

Your brand is your economic moat. 

When you are consistent, authentic, and honest, you build awareness, confidence, and trust in everything you do. 

That applies to your employees as much as it does to your customers. 

When you consistently show up, people notice and remember you when the time comes to upgrade, renew, or switch. 

And unlike Sales Activation, Brand Building gives your business the best shot regardless of the mood of the market. It sticks. 

Even better, reputable brands reduce price sensitivity. When people know and trust your brand, they’ll pay more for your stuff. 

You think Apple competes on price? Hell no. 

People pay more because they trust the brand (amazing considering Apple was near bankruptcy 25 years ago). 

Trust isn’t built by spamming people with Lead Gen campaigns; it’s built by investing in a brand that stands for something.

Why Tech Firms Are Perfectly Positioned to Win (If They Play It Right)

Tech companies have a ton of advantages. You’re innovators. You create products that solve real problems, and you move industries forward. 

But—and this is a big but (no pun intended)—too many tech firms are obsessed with product-led and sales-led tactics. 

Too many treat marketing like an afterthought or an arts and crafts shop. Most don’t have a marketing leader on their exec team.

That’s where they screw up.

Products aren’t the problem. It’s the mindset. 

And those who continue down this path are doomed to be stuck on the innovation hamster wheel. 

The ones who make marketing a real business function and become customer-obsessed will win every time. 

They build trust and relevance. And most importantly, they build a brand that makes customers think of them first when they’re ready to buy.

For startups and scaleups, it’s even more important. 

You might think you need to hit a certain revenue milestone before investing in brand building, but that’s BS. Start now. The sooner you start investing in your brand, the faster you’ll stand out from your competition—remember most are stuck on their hamster wheel. 

Watch the masses and do the opposite. 

Case Study: Notion

Notion logo

Notion launched in 2016 when Evernote, Google Docs, and Microsoft OneNote dominated the productivity and collaboration space. Instead of competing purely on product features, Notion focused on brand storytelling and building a loyal community from day one.

By 2020, Notion was values at $2B and became a favorite among startups, designers, and creatives. Its brand identity attracted a loyal user base that continued to grow through word of mouth and community advocacy. By the time they started scaling up, they had already built a solid reputation that differentiated them from competitors. 

How to Be Great at Sales Activation AND Brand Building (Without Losing Your Mind)

Yes, you still need leads. No one’s saying you should ditch sales activation and just meditate on branding. This isn’t all-or-nothing. 

You want to do very well in the short-term AND the long-term. 

Jim Collins: Instead of being oppressed by the "Tyranny of the OR," highly visionary companies liberate themselves with the "genius of the AND."

Keep generating leads and demand while building a brand that lasts:

  • Reprioritize your budget: Move some of the Sales Activation budget into brand-marketing like content marketing, thought leadership, and campaigns that tell your brand story (what you stand for) rather than just begging for leads. 
  • Consistency is everything: Your positioning and messaging needs to be on point—everywhere. Don’t change your story every time a new trend pops up. Pick it and stick it. Consistent messaging creates awareness, confidence, and trust. It keeps everyone on your team on the same page too. 
  • Think short-term AND long-term: If you’re going to obsess over anything, get obsessed over your customers. That will solve all your short-term AND long-term growth challenges. Track metrics that matter over the long haul—like brand awareness, customer trust, and, yes, loyalty. Invest in the right tools like predictive and causal analytics. Sales activation will come and go, but brands people trust are the brands that stick. 

So, what’s stopping you? 

You don’t need a massive budget to start. Start small, be consistent, and focus on building relationships.

Final Thoughts

Folks, the product-led growth trap is just a paper wall. You can jump off the hamster wheel anytime. 

Sales activation is like junk food—it fills you up fast, but it won’t keep you going. And it’s not healthy (pun intended). 

Brand building, on the other hand, gives you sustainable growth, demand that sticks, and customers who come back.

Don’t be that company that’s left scratching its head because they only invest in innovation and sales activation.

Invest in your brand too. 

Ready to make the shift? Reallocate your marketing budget and start building a brand that lasts. Your future self will thank you.

If you like this content, here are some more ways I can help:

  • Follow me on LinkedIn for bite-sized tips and freebies throughout the week.
  • Work with me. Schedule a call to see if we’re a fit. No obligation. No pressure.
  • Subscribe for ongoing insights and strategies (enter your email below).

Cheers!

This article is AC-A and also published and discussed on LinkedIn. Join the conversation!

Hero image source: Amonrat Rungreangfangsai