What I’ve Learned in My First Month as a Startup Marketing Manager (And How We’re Tackling the Challenges)

Starting a new role is always exciting, but stepping into the shoes of a Digital Media Marketing Manager at a startup is a whole different kettle of fish. We're building something special - a platform that shines a spotlight on the best family-friendly attractions and businesses in our area. But like any early-stage startup, the journey comes with its own unique set of challenges.

As I near the one-month mark, I’ve already gained some valuable insights - not just about marketing, but about how to navigate startup challenges with creativity and problem solving.

Challenge 1: Building Awareness from Scratch

One of the hardest parts of startup marketing is that you’re starting at zero. No audience, no email list, no loyal followers. We’re essentially building a brand while also trying to market it.

How we’re tackling it:

• Content, content, content: As a team we are working really hard to showcase our content creation skills, with high quality photography, videography and content strategy – this is where the teams’ strengths really shine through!

• Hyperlocal SEO: We’re targeting search terms like “things to do in [town name] with kids” and “family days out in [region]” to attract organic traffic.

• Local social media engagement: As someone who has grown social accounts for everything from dog trainers to preloved luxury shopping, I know that audience building takes consistency and care. We’re engaging directly with local Facebook groups, community hashtags, and collaborating with regional influencers to grow our following authentically.

• Social proof: With a handful of clients in tow we’ve offered a select few some of our services free of charge, to prove what we can do, and spread the word! With satisfied customers come recommendations through word-of-mouth and glowing 5-star Google reviews!

  
  

Challenge 2: Limited Budget, Unlimited Ambition

With limited ad spend, every penny has to deliver results, which means organic growth is vital. This is where my background as a freelance Social Media Manager really pays off - I’m used to doing more with less.

Our strategy:

• Content marketing that serves a purpose: Instead of pushing “salesy” posts, we’re creating engaging, entertaining and high quality social media content, that showcases both the beauty of the surrounding area as well as highlighting our star clients. Just a few weeks in and we’re already seeing engagement with local businesses who want to work with us.

• Free tools for growth: Tools like Canva, Metricool and Mailchimp are part of our daily workflow. They allow us to create polished, professional content without expensive overheads.

• Community-driven content: We selected a few very special local businesses and highlighted them on our social media and website, giving them free exposure in exchange for shares. This creates a win-win where our content gets distributed organically by the very people featured in it.

  
  

Challenge 3: Testing What Works (and Letting Go of What Doesn’t)

In the startup world, there’s no time to get precious about a campaign that’s not performing. You have to test fast, fail fast, and iterate even faster.

Our approach:

• Data-led decision making: Taking a look into our analytics we’re reviewing post performance to make tweaks in real-time.

• Documenting the process: We’re currently building internal reporting for what works so we don’t start from scratch every time.

• 
  

The Freelance Edge: Why I Still Offer Social Media Services on the Side

While my primary focus is on scaling the new business, I continue to support select clients as a freelance social media manager via WAT Marketing. Having experience across a wide range of industries from luxury goods and dog training, to tech and healthcare, gives me a broader lens on what tactics work universally, and which ones need to be hyper-targeted.

If you’re a startup or small business looking for support growing your social media presence, I offer bespoke, results-driven services that include:

• Account setup and growth strategy

• Content planning and creation

• Audience engagement and community building

• Marketing strategy consultation

Final Thoughts: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

The last few weeks have shown me just how much creativity, agility, and empathy it takes to market a startup effectively. You’re not just selling a product - you’re building trust, community, and long-term value. It’s a challenge I’m excited to start working on every day!

Interested in customised social media management services?

📧 Get in touch today: watmarketing@outlook.com

📍 Serving businesses in Hampshire, Southampton, Basingstoke, Farnham, and surrounding areas.