9 Brand Launching Mistakes That Undermine Your Efforts
There’s no foolproof method for breaking into the eLearning industry and establishing your online reputation. However, there are some mistakes that have the potential to damage your brand image before you even have a chance to build it up. From not having a clear vision of what your organization stands for and what you can bring to your new clientele to underestimating the importance of social media, PCC, and directory-based marketing. Here are 9 business-busting mistakes that start-up eLearning companies should avoid at all costs.
1. Lack Of A Clear Company Vision
You need to clearly define your company’s vision and how it will stand apart from competitors. It’s also essential to build a foundation for your brand image by developing a core mission statement. This may evolve over time as you find your footing in the industry. However, you need to form the basis now so that you can promote your brand effectively rather than give prospects mixed signals and vague branding elements that only cause confusion.
2. Failing To Find Your Niche
It’s perfectly acceptable to be an eLearning generalist that takes on a variety of tasks. However, you must also find your niche that aligns with your team’s skills and talents—preferably, a niche that isn’t already saturated and actually fills a gap in the market. This allows you to identify your unique selling points and differentiate yourself from the competition, as well as craft targeted marketing materials that appeal to a narrower target audience.
3. Underutilizing Social Media Marketing
Social media is a must for startup eLearning companies that are trying to launch their brand. Set up a professional page where prospects can learn more about what you have to offer. This builds brand awareness and gives them a place to ask questions and interact with your team. You can also post special promos to draw more people in and expand your promotional reach, especially if you encourage them to spread the word on their respective pages.
4. Inadequate Toolbox
You know what you want to achieve, but your toolbox may be holding you back. For example, the authoring tools or LMS you use to develop and deploy content for clients are inadequate, or your asset library falls short. It might even be that your current team doesn’t possess the necessary skills to complete client projects. In other words, you’re mentally prepared to take on any task but resources aren’t allowing you to carry out your vision.
5. Lack Of Client/Customer Feedback
You must get input from your target audience to determine what they’re looking for and how you can fulfill their needs better than the rest. Polls, surveys, and one-on-one interviews give you the chance to gather their feedback and identify their needs. You can also post social media quizzes that covertly collect their data so that you’re able to fine-tune your marketing strategy.
6. Not Launching A Targeted PPC Campaign
Many start-up eLearning companies avoid PPC ads because they think they’re too expensive. However, a PPC campaign is one of the most cost-effective promotional tools available. You only pay for ads that visitors click, which means that they’re already high-intent buyers. You’re also able to set spending caps to avoid going over your budget. Not to mention, you gain access to valuable metrics that help you get more from your marketing dollar. For instance, an underperforming ad can be modified to improve ROI and conversions.
7. Unclear Or Unrealistic Budget
You need a budget for virtually everything you do. from launching your eLearning brand to carrying out your first marketing campaign. But these budgets must be realistic and account for all fees—even the hidden ones that are often overlooked. For example, launching a content marketing campaign requires well-written articles and blog posts. Then you need to consider the platform. Do you have to pay hosting fees to launch a site to display these online tip sheets and troubleshooting guides? Carefully evaluate every item on your to-do list and break it down into tasks so that you can create an itemized budget.
8. Underestimating The Value Of Outsourcing
Many start-up eLearning companies make the mistake of thinking they can handle every project that comes their way. If they run into a client who requires a specific skillset, they can just learn it, right? The truth is that outsourcing is a viable option, even for new organizations with limited budgets. It gives you the opportunity to focus on other tasks that are within your area of expertise, thereby allocating resources more efficiently and producing a high-quality product for your clients.
9. Not Listing Your Company In An Online Directory
Listing your eLearning company in an exclusive online directory helps you reach your niche audience. Plus, you can show off your selling points and give prospects a clear idea of what you bring to the table. Visitors can also review providers they’ve used in the past, which lends even more credibility to your company. As well as view your pricing options and key features at a glance. Then click through to your site to sign up or contact you for a quote.
Conclusion
These business-breaking mistakes don’t have to put the future success of your startup at risk. The secret is finding your niche, getting feedback from your target audience, and finding the right marketing platforms. But first, you need to clearly define your company message so that you know what sets you apart from the rest. This includes identifying your USPs, mission statement, and overall vision.
eLearning start-up companies can promote their organization in our online directory, from translation service providers to authoring tool vendors. Register today to expand your online presence and reach a broader audience.
