Start-up Atlas: The Journey to Success in Digital Marketing - Part 1

Foundations of the Start-up Journey and Highlights in the Ecosystem

Hello dear Nera Social followers and newcomers. Since you are reading this, you are either preparing for a startup, already have one and are wondering what to do for digital marketing, or you simply enjoy keeping up with future trends. Regardless of your reason, congratulations on finding the right source for digital marketing in entrepreneurship!

As for our topic, we are starting a blog series. This article is the first in the series, so I'll begin by introducing myself. I am Aybüke Belen, and I have been working in UX/UI Design and Social Media Strategies at Nera Social for two years. Currently, I am one of the Managing Partners of Nera Social Advertising Agency.

In short, you will be reading all the experiences of a multidisciplinary strategist related to startups. In this first article, we will discuss the basics that are important for a startup. If the fundamental topics we cover in this article are well-designed, the digital marketing processes will also progress efficiently. So, let's get started!

The Role of the Pitch Deck in the Start-Up Ecosystem

The start-up world is a constantly changing and evolving ecosystem. However, one fundamental aspect remains unchanged and essential: creating a good business plan. A solid plan will enable you to secure investment and sell your product. For this, the first thing you need to think about and successfully design is your 'Pitch Deck.' You must quickly and effectively convey everything expected from those who want to buy your product, invest in it, or admit you to incubation centers. This means that if you have a meeting with an investor, your presentation should be planned to prioritize and highlight topics that will capture the investor's interest. If you are participating in a competition, your priority might be to explain the benefits you provide. Thus, the shape of this presentation should vary depending on who you are meeting with. So, how do we do this? Do we create a separate presentation for everyone? Of course not. You need to discover all the tools and methods that will provide you with agility and flexibility. As an agency, we prepare modular pitch decks for our entrepreneurs. This way, we create a system that they can modify in seconds, depending on who they are presenting to. In short, we say you design the product, and we set up a sustainable system for you.

What Should a Pitch Deck Include?

Now let's talk about what a pitch deck should include. Of course, there is no formula for this. The business model you have designed, the origin of the product, your dreams, and the sector of the product are very important factors. Naturally, how the startup will transform into a business is another topic. For example, if you have a B2B sales strategy, different channels and methods should be followed than if you have a B2C sales strategy. Nevertheless, some basic headings are present. We will not dwell extensively on the basic headings in this article. Our second article will focus on this topic. You can find the most concise information on this in the visual below.

Key Strategy Elements for a Successful Start-Up

The main elements of a startup, which form the content of the pitch deck, should be conveyed very effectively and quickly. These strategic elements, which lay the foundations of a successful startup, help entrepreneurs gain a competitive edge in the business world. Identifying a unique value proposition and conducting market research clarify the company's vision. Developing a prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP), creating a financial plan and budget ensure the financial health of the business, while preparing an impressive presentation and establishing investor relations highlight the business's potential. Building a network and connections increase collaboration opportunities with other professionals in the industry, and forward-looking development and expansion strategies focus the company on long-term success. Finally, forming a strong team brings together diverse talents, enhancing the company's resilience and playing a critical role in achieving goals.

Stay Tuned :)

In our next article, we will focus on what is needed for an impressive presentation. As we said, if you want to be a successful startup, one of the most important things is designing the right system. This brings us to our third article, which will wink at 'Design Thinking.' Until we return, focus on preparing your business plan. See you soon!