Startups Fit Get Customers Without Going Viral, Tech Founders Explain

Startups Fit Get Customers Without Going Viral, Tech Founders Explain

Many startup founders dey look for ways to make their businesses popular online, hoping say one viral video or social media post go bring plenty customers.

But recent discussions among technology founders and investors suggest say businesses no necessarily need viral content to grow. Sometimes, understanding the right customers and building relationships with them fit produce better results than chasing online attention.

For a discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt, founders from travel startup Engine and AI presentation company Gamma, alongside Google Ventures general partner Crystal Huang, shared ideas about attracting customers and keeping them interested in a product.

Why Going Viral No Be Everything

Social media fit help businesses reach thousands or even millions of people. But attention no always translate into sales.

A video fit get plenty views without convincing anybody to buy a product or use a service.

For startups wey get limited money, time, and staff, spending too much energy chasing viral content fit distract them from the people wey actually need what dem dey sell.

The important thing no be only how many people see the business, but how many people understand the product, find am useful, and decide to pay for am.

How Gamma Use Creators to Reach Customers

Gamma, a company wey develops AI-powered presentation software, used a creator ambassador program to help promote its product.

The company's strategy involved working with creators who could introduce the product to different groups of potential users.

For example, consultants and marketing professionals fit use presentation software differently. A creator wey understands one group well fit explain the product's value more effectively to that audience.

Gamma co-founder and CEO Grant Lee emphasized that businesses need to work closely with creators and help them understand the product instead of simply paying influencers to advertise am.

The lesson for startups be say influencer marketing works better when the creator, the audience, and the product fit together.

Why Traditional Sales Still Work

Not every startup needs to depend on social media.

Elia Wallen, founder and CEO of travel company Engine, explained that his business built up to $150 million in bookings before taking outside funding, without a visible social media strategy.

Instead, the company used traditional methods, including attending events, speaking directly with potential customers, and making phone calls.

These methods helped the company connect with businesses wey needed its travel and accommodation booking services.

For some businesses, especially those selling services to other companies, a direct conversation fit be more valuable than a viral post.

A founder wey contacts ten relevant businesses and understands their needs fit make more useful progress than one wey gets thousands of views from people wey no need the product.

How Startups Fit Turn First Customers Into Loyal Customers

Getting a customer na only the beginning. Keeping that customer interested in the product na another important part of business growth.

Crystal Huang of Google Ventures advised founders to pay attention to how customers use their products.

Startups fit check whether customers return regularly, use more features over time, or recommend the product to other people.

These behaviors fit help a company understand whether its product dey provide lasting value.

Businesses should also pay attention to customers wey genuinely love the product and willingly recommend am to others. These customers fit become advocates who help introduce the business to new users.

Wetin Small Businesses and Nigerian Startups Fit Learn

For Nigerian startups and small businesses, marketing no always require a large advertising budget or a huge social media following.

A business fit start by identifying a clear customer group, explaining how its product solves a problem, and speaking directly with people who may need the service.

Depending on the business, useful approaches fit include:

*Creating helpful content for a specific audience.

*Partnering with creators who understand the product.

*Attending industry events and networking with potential customers.

*Contacting potential clients directly.

*Asking satisfied customers for referrals.

*Tracking repeat purchases and customer feedback.

The best approach depends on the business and the people it wants to reach.

The Bottom Line

Going viral fit help a startup gain attention, but lasting growth requires more than views and likes.

Businesses need to understand their customers, communicate their value clearly, and give people good reasons to return.

For founders working with limited resources, the smartest strategy may not be reaching everybody. It may be finding the right people and serving them well.

The takeaway: Don't measure your business only by how many people see your content.
Pay attention to how many people become customers and how many choose to stay.