In the world of early-stage businesses, it’s a common misconception that effective marketing begins with brand-building, using elements such as polished logos, sharp messaging, or clever taglines. However, nearly two decades of experience in the marketing and entrepreneurship sectors have demonstrated that this approach can often be putting the cart before the horse. A more effective strategy is to prioritize action over awareness.

In essence, visibility is rendered meaningless if it doesn’t inspire action and lead to conversions. If there are issues at the bottom of your marketing funnel, no amount of brand awareness will result in the acquisition of paying customers. This is why it’s advisable for businesses, particularly those in their early stages, to construct their marketing engine from the bottom up.

The marketing funnel should be viewed not as a linear path, but rather as a system in which each element reinforces the others. Building a brand isn’t simply about increasing name recognition — it’s about creating consistent, valuable interactions that yield results. The most effective marketing strategies don’t begin with broad awareness. They start with understanding how and why your product sells.

When building a parenting company, the process began not with a polished brand book, but with a specific audience problem. The focus was on driving conversions through paid media.

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