Tales from a Startup Marketer
Articles by Billy.Cina
Tales from a Startup Marketer
CMO vs. VP sales: The inevitable battle
There's a reason why at first opportunity the roles of a startup's VP of sales and marketing are separated. Sales and marketing teams are not powered by the same motives, nor incentivized by the same results, and this means that they can not effectively report to the same person for long. Startups are difficult enough to manage; living with role-generated schizophrenia makes goal achievement nigh on impossible.rnrnDo I hear you saying "not so in my company"? Show me a company with a VP of sales and marketing and I guarantee there is one team that is getting far more love, attention and success than the other.rn
Tales from a Startup Marketer
Why I almost quit my job as CMO of a very successful startup
All startups live for the day that they close a funding round. Seed, Round A, Round B etc etc. This is the validation that not only they (and their mom) believe in their revolutionary technology and company. However, significant funding changes every facet of the company and requires a different modus operandi. Not all management and team members jump on the same page at the same pace. On top of that, the company certainly requires different skill sets from their employees in order to reach the next goal post... and boost growth. The marketing function spearheads the company changes and in doing so, must embrace many growing pains. This is a tale of one ambitious CMO of a newly funded startup.
Tales from a Startup Marketer
Are you killing your startup’s chances for success?
How your entrepreneur type influences your chances of success. Startup founders (very) generally speaking fall into two camps. The geniuses, who create a product of love and hope enough people want or need it too. The problem solvers, who have created a market viable product based on in depth research and an understanding of market need. Both have chances of success but their course and requirements pre-investment will be vastly different.
Tales from a Startup Marketer
When should I start to market my startup?
Many startup founders are often left scratching their heads whenever it comes to the topic of marketing. They know it’s important to their business, but have no idea what they should be doing first, nor how it ties in with their business. The reality, in the world of startups there is no business without marketing.
Tales from a Startup Marketer