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Growth marketing for non-technical founders

November 17, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

Starting a business is no easy feat, and as a non-technical founder, the challenges can be even greater. From developing a product or service to building a team and securing funding, there's a lot to keep track of. One area that often goes overlooked is growth marketing.

Growth marketing is the process of using data-driven strategies and tactics to grow a business quickly and sustainably. It's the key to creating a scalable and repeatable way to acquire and retain customers. However, if you're not a technical founder, it can be difficult to know where to start.

In this article, we're going to dive into the basics of growth marketing and provide actionable tips and strategies for non-technical founders. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this guide will provide the information you need to successfully implement a growth marketing plan. So, if you're ready to take your business to the next level, let's get started!

Understanding the basics of growth marketing

As a non-technical founder, it's important to have a solid understanding of what growth marketing is and how it can benefit your business. At its core, growth marketing is a data-driven approach to quickly and sustainably growing your customer base. It involves using a combination of strategies and tactics to acquire and retain customers, with the ultimate goal of maximizing growth.

To understand growth marketing, it's helpful to break it down into its key components. First, you need to have a deep understanding of your target customer and their needs. This information will inform the strategies and tactics you use to acquire and retain customers.

Next, you need to have a data-driven approach. This means using data and analytics to make informed decisions about your growth efforts, and continually measuring and refining your strategies based on the results.

Finally, you need to have a growth-focused mindset. This means thinking creatively and being willing to take risks in order to drive growth. Whether it's experimenting with new channels or trying a new marketing tactic, a growth-focused approach is key to success in growth marketing.

By understanding these basic components of growth marketing, you'll be well on your way to developing a successful growth strategy for your business.

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The importance of data-driven decision making

As a non-technical founder, you may be used to relying on intuition and experience when making business decisions. However, when it comes to growth marketing, relying solely on intuition can lead to missed opportunities and ineffective strategies. That's why data-driven decision making is so important.

Data-driven decision making involves using data and analytics to inform your decisions about your growth strategy. By collecting data on your customers, marketing efforts, and business performance, you can make informed decisions about what's working and what's not. This can help you optimize your efforts and make more effective use of your resources.

For example, if you're trying to decide which social media platform to focus your efforts on, data can help you make an informed decision. By tracking metrics like reach, engagement, and conversions, you can determine which platform is driving the best results for your business.

Another example is A/B testing. By creating two versions of a marketing campaign and comparing their performance, you can determine which version is more effective and optimize your future campaigns based on the results.

By making data-driven decisions, you can ensure that your growth marketing efforts are as effective and efficient as possible. This can help you grow your business more quickly and sustainably, while avoiding costly mistakes.

Setting clear and measurable growth goals

One of the most important steps in any growth marketing strategy is setting clear and measurable growth goals. Without well-defined goals, it's difficult to determine what success looks like and to track progress over time.

When setting growth goals, it's important to make sure that they are specific, measurable, and achievable. For example, instead of simply setting a goal to "increase website traffic," set a goal to "increase website traffic by 25% in the next quarter." This specific, measurable goal gives you a clear target to aim for and a way to track progress.

It's also important to set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals give you quick wins and a sense of accomplishment, while long-term goals provide direction and a vision for the future. For example, a short-term goal might be to increase sign-ups by 10% in the next month, while a long-term goal might be to double the number of customers in the next year.

Finally, it's important to make sure that your goals are aligned with your overall business strategy. Your growth goals should support your overall mission and vision for the business.

By setting clear and measurable growth goals, you'll have a roadmap for your growth marketing efforts and a way to track progress over time. This can help you stay focused and motivated, and ensure that your efforts are driving real results for your business.

Building a cross-functional growth team

As a non-technical founder, you may be used to working with a small, tight-knit team. However, when it comes to growth marketing, it's important to build a cross-functional team that brings together a variety of skills and perspectives.

A cross-functional growth team includes people from different departments, such as marketing, product, design, and engineering. Each team member brings a unique perspective and skill set to the table, which can lead to more creative and effective growth strategies.

For example, a marketer might have expertise in creating compelling campaigns, while a product manager might have insight into the customer journey. By working together, these team members can create a more comprehensive and effective growth strategy.

Building a cross-functional growth team also ensures that all areas of the business are aligned with the goal of driving growth. This can help to overcome silos and ensure that everyone is working towards a common goal.

Finally, having a cross-functional team means that different areas of the business can work together to quickly test and implement new ideas. This can help you move more quickly and be more nimble in your growth efforts.

By building a cross-functional growth team, you can tap into the expertise and perspectives of a variety of team members, ensuring that your growth marketing efforts are as effective and efficient as possible.

Utilizing low-cost marketing tactics

As a non-technical founder, you may be working with limited resources when it comes to growth marketing. However, that doesn't mean that you can't drive significant results. There are many low-cost marketing tactics that can be just as effective as more expensive strategies.

One low-cost marketing tactic is content marketing. By creating valuable and relevant content, you can attract and engage potential customers, build trust and authority, and drive traffic to your website. For example, you could create blog posts, videos, or podcasts that provide helpful information and insights related to your industry or product.

Another low-cost marketing tactic is email marketing. By collecting email addresses from customers and prospects, you can build relationships and drive conversions through targeted and personalized campaigns. For example, you could send a weekly newsletter that provides updates and exclusive content for subscribers.

Influencer marketing is another low-cost marketing tactic that can drive significant results. By partnering with influencers in your industry, you can tap into their audience and reach a wider and more targeted group of potential customers. For example, you could work with a popular Instagram influencer to promote your product to their followers.

Finally, referral marketing is a low-cost marketing tactic that leverages the power of word-of-mouth. By incentivizing customers to refer friends and family to your business, you can drive new business and expand your reach. For example, you could offer a discount or other incentive for customers who refer new business.

By utilizing these and other low-cost marketing tactics, you can drive significant results for your business, even with limited resources. By focusing on tactics that are effective and efficient, you can maximize the impact of your growth marketing efforts.

Creating a customer acquisition plan

Creating a customer acquisition plan is a critical step in any growth marketing strategy. This plan outlines the steps you will take to acquire new customers and grow your business.

The first step in creating a customer acquisition plan is to define your target customer. Who are you trying to reach, and what are their needs and desires? This information will help you tailor your acquisition efforts to your target audience.

Next, you'll need to determine the most effective channels for reaching your target customers. This could include online advertising, content marketing, email marketing, or referral marketing, among others. By choosing the right channels, you can reach your target customers where they are spending their time and maximize your chances of success.

Once you've determined the channels you'll use, you'll need to create a timeline for your customer acquisition efforts. This timeline should include specific milestones and deadlines, as well as metrics for tracking your progress.

Finally, it's important to allocate resources and budget for your customer acquisition plan. This could include money for advertising, as well as time and resources for creating content, sending emails, and other efforts. By allocating the right resources, you can ensure that your customer acquisition plan is successful.

By creating a customer acquisition plan, you'll have a roadmap for acquiring new customers and growing your business. This plan will help you stay focused and motivated, and ensure that your efforts are driving real results for your business.

Implementing a referral program

A referral program is a marketing strategy that incentivizes current customers to refer new business to your company. By tapping into the power of word-of-mouth, referral programs can help you acquire new customers in a cost-effective and scalable way.

Implementing a referral program is relatively straightforward. First, you'll need to determine what kind of incentive you'll offer for referrals. This could be a discount, a free product or service, or even cash. The key is to choose an incentive that is compelling and meaningful to your customers.

Next, you'll need to create a referral program that is easy for customers to participate in. This could include a referral link that they can share with friends and family, or a referral form that they can fill out to refer new business. The more streamlined and user-friendly your referral program is, the more likely customers will be to participate.

It's also important to track and measure the results of your referral program. This could include tracking the number of referrals, the conversion rate of those referrals, and the overall impact on your business. By tracking your results, you can identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to your referral program as needed.

Finally, it's important to promote your referral program to your current customers. You can do this through email marketing, in-app messaging, or even through personal outreach. The more visibility you give to your referral program, the more likely customers will be to participate.

By implementing a referral program, you can tap into the power of word-of-mouth and acquire new customers in a cost-effective and scalable way. By incentivizing customers to refer new business, you can drive real results for your business and support your growth efforts.

Leveraging social media for growth

Social media has become an increasingly important channel for businesses looking to drive growth and acquire new customers. With billions of active users across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, there's never been a better time to leverage social media for growth.

The first step in leveraging social media for growth is to choose the right platforms for your business. Depending on your target audience and the type of content you want to share, you may want to focus your efforts on one or two platforms, or you may want to have a presence on multiple platforms.

Once you've chosen your platforms, you'll need to create a social media content strategy. This could include a mix of original content, shared content from others, and promotional content. The key is to create content that is relevant, engaging, and valuable to your target audience.

It's also important to use social media advertising to reach new customers and drive growth. With the ability to target specific audiences and measure results, social media advertising can be a highly effective way to drive real results for your business.

Finally, don't forget to engage with your followers on social media. This could include responding to comments, replying to messages, and sharing user-generated content. By engaging with your followers, you can build stronger relationships with them and increase the visibility of your brand.

By leveraging social media for growth, you can reach new customers, build stronger relationships with your followers, and drive real results for your business. Whether you're looking to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or acquire new customers, social media is an essential channel for growth marketing success.

The role of A/B testing in growth marketing

A/B testing is an essential tool for growth marketing. It allows you to experiment with different marketing tactics and determine which ones are most effective at driving growth and acquiring new customers.

At its core, A/B testing is a process of testing two or more versions of a marketing tactic to determine which one performs better. For example, you might create two versions of a landing page, each with a different headline, and then measure which one results in a higher conversion rate.

The key to successful A/B testing is to test only one variable at a time. This allows you to isolate the impact of that variable and determine which version is most effective.

A/B testing is a powerful way to drive growth and acquisition because it allows you to make data-driven decisions. Rather than relying on intuition or assumptions, you can test different marketing tactics and determine which ones are most effective based on real-world results.

In addition, A/B testing can help you optimize your marketing efforts over time. By continuously testing different tactics and refining your approach, you can drive better results and improve your return on investment.

The role of A/B testing in growth marketing is simple: it allows you to experiment with different marketing tactics and determine which ones are most effective at driving growth and acquiring new customers. Whether you're looking to improve your conversion rates, increase your website traffic, or acquire more customers, A/B testing is a powerful tool that should be part of every growth marketer's toolkit.

Measuring and optimizing your growth marketing efforts

Measuring and optimizing your growth marketing efforts is a critical part of driving success and achieving your goals. Without accurate measurement and optimization, you may be wasting time and resources on tactics that aren't delivering the results you need to drive growth.

The first step in measuring and optimizing your growth marketing efforts is to identify the key metrics you want to track. This could include things like website traffic, conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value. By focusing on these metrics, you'll be able to see which marketing tactics are delivering the best results and where you need to make changes to drive better results.

Once you've identified your key metrics, you'll need to use tools and platforms to track and analyze your results. This could include web analytics tools, CRM systems, and marketing automation platforms.

Once you have your data, you can use it to make informed decisions about which marketing tactics to keep, which to change, and which to eliminate. This is the heart of optimization: using data to make decisions that drive better results and improve your return on investment.

In addition to using data to make informed decisions, you should also be continuously testing new marketing tactics and refining your approach. This could include experimenting with new advertising channels, refining your website design, or optimizing your customer journey.

By measuring and optimizing your growth marketing efforts, you can drive better results, improve your return on investment, and achieve your growth goals. Whether you're looking to increase website traffic, improve conversion rates, or acquire more customers, accurate measurement and optimization are critical components of a successful growth marketing strategy.

Final thoughts

Growth marketing is a critical component of any successful business, and it's especially important for non-technical founders. Without a deep understanding of technology, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to drive growth effectively.

In this article, we've covered the basics of growth marketing for non-technical founders. From understanding the importance of data-driven decision making, to setting clear and measurable goals, to leveraging social media and A/B testing, we've covered the key elements of a successful growth marketing strategy.

By following the tips and advice outlined in this article, non-technical founders can develop a growth marketing strategy that drives results, improves their return on investment, and helps them achieve their growth goals. Whether you're looking to increase website traffic, improve conversion rates, or acquire more customers, growth marketing is a powerful tool that every non-technical founder should be using to drive success.

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