Yes, You Can Still Successfully Bootstrap Your Startup from 0 to 1M Users

Control matters.

Many startup founders choose to bootstrap their business for this very reason. It means only answering to your ambitions. You have the freedom and autonomy to do as you please. To create what you want. To change the world on your own terms.

Advertising campaigns, branding, update releases, and all ideas are within your purview. No investors, board members or VCs to worry about hindering your creativity.

But it's not without its challenges.

In fact, it seems that we hear less and less of successful startups that grew from an ambitious, bootstrapped vision. But that doesn't make it impossible. Just more difficult.

In today's post, you'll learn some tips, tips and strategies to take your startup to its first million users. With what you learn today, you'll be headed in the right direction for the year to come. You'll learn how to increase brand awareness and visibility, not to mention pick up some incredibly important leadership skills.

Connect to Community

The more digital we are, the more connected we become. When you tap into your local community you gain a certain type of power.

Community connects us to one another. You get the opportunity to partner with smart professionals in your industry and in complementary businesses. Spend time brainstorming the different ways you can connect within the community.

For example, let's say you provide marketing consulting. You might want to host a local event for the businesses near your office. Or if you’re building a task management system for startups, host a seminar for startup growth strategies.

Make a list of the different types of opportunities you can facilitate in your community.

Go Digital

Local community is important, but so is digital. If you want to bootstrap a successful startup, you need to be active online. This means implementing the content marketing strategies and social media tactics that you read about on every marketing blog. To be successful online, it's going to require a lot of  Consistency, dedication and time.

If you are starting a new company in 2018, you must be serious about your online presence. Start a blog, a podcast, of log. Do something.

But don't do it just for the sake of doing it.

You need to be strategic about it.

Think about your audience. Where do they spend time online? What social media platforms do they use? What types of blogs do they read? Why do they use the internet?

Knowing your customer is imperative if you want their attention. Spend time answering these questions and others just like them. Go into your online strategy with a plan of attack. Don't do things haphazardly, but with purpose.

Use the Data

It's easier and cheaper to retain current customers then to find new ones. In this Age of the Consumer we must pay close attention to their needs, wants and desires.

“Big data analytics has granted us a better understanding of our customers and this is a valuable tool we should learn to use wisely. This means that instead of tapping into big data just to trigger the next purchase, we should make good use of it for increasing customer loyalty.”

-- Ami Gal, co-founder and CEO of SQream

What does it mean to live in the age of the consumer? Well, it speaks to the power customers have to drive the business decision of top executives.

But this isn't all bad news.

Because we also live in the age of Technology. The age of Big Data.

More than ever before, we have access to the thoughts and intentions of the consumer.

Using data analytics is one of the most efficient ways The most efficient ways to understand your customers, and in turn grow your startup. The first place to start is analyzing Behavior, specifically as it relates to content consumption. understanding what users view, read and hear online can help you predict their next find Behavior.

But it's not just about the next transaction. data ultimately teaches us about customer retention. And in this noisy world we live in, loyalty matters now more than ever -- especially for spunky bootstrapped startups.

Publish Strategic Content

Most digital content is terrible.

And that's not a knock on my fellow writers. It speaks to the blog owners inability to craft a strategy that truly resonates with the readers.

When it comes to publishing content, there's a lot to be distract you. Social media, hosting providers, SEO tactics… It can feel overwhelming at times. But before you concern yourself with those things, make sure the readers enjoy your content.

Not all content topics or styles work for every demographic. So, while blogs and experts can provide insight, only your audience can provide the answer.

Hustle -- go to where your potential clients are and ask them about it. Find out what their needs are, get feedback, adjust your product/service based on those needs, etc. This may include forums, membership sites, blog comments, or in-person events. Get involved in the conversation long before you spend countless hours and dollars building out something nobody needs or wants. Talk about your idea and don't worry about whether someone's going to steal it or not.

-- Justin Cooke, Co-Founder of Empire Flippers

Make sure to focus your content strategy on customer retention. Noticing of Fame here? It's easier to retained in a choir, so never take your customers for granted. Use content marketing as a way to demonstrate your long-term value. Not just as content creators, but as a company.

Content topics should solve your customers problems, and supply all their needs. Don't just start talking about your product in pitching for the sale.

If you want 1M users, that's who it's got to be about. The users.

Conclusion

Bootstrapping your startup may feel like a burden, but it’s really a blessing in disguise.

As you invest in an engaged community -- both online and locally -- those relationships will support you in this startup, and future ones too. At the end of the day, this is all about people. And that’s the secret, really.

The successful startups. The ones who bootstrap to 1M users. They understand the value of humans. Not as users or stats. But as an authentic relationship.