Sales funnel strategies to build a strong startup brand include user segmentation, creating awareness through social media, educating users about the brand, an interesting landing page, email marketing, loyalty programmes, and a subscription model. A robust support system will lead to a loyal user base.

Sound sales funnel strategies help a startup establish itself as a strong, long-lasting startup. User segmentation to understand the users you are catering to and having a resourceful landing page are some of those funnel strategies.

Sales funnel strategies to build a strong startup brand

1. User segmentation is the foundation of a strong startup

The first and foremost step at the top of the funnel is user segmentation. Identify the users who will benefit most from your startup and become valuable loyal customers.

The pain points you want to address, the user experience you want to create, and the kind of customers your startup wants to deal with must all be well-defined.

This user segmentation process involves simple steps. It starts with collecting data from sources like CRM systems, social media, customer feedback, and analysis of your website.

It is followed by digging deep into consumer behaviour. Studying small groups of consumers can help understand why consumers engage with your startup and what makes you tick.

You can also segment your users based on demographics and target a particular section depending on the product your startup deals with.

Not segmenting their user base is one of the many mistakes that startups make when messaging their audience.

2. Create noise about your startup and generate leads

Create an impactful contact point for the customer with your startup. There should be a contact point that stays with the user and interests them in the brand.

This contact point can be:

• Advertisements on social media
• The attractive landing page of the startup
• Blog posts on the website
• Free ebooks available upon signing up

These are the points where you, as a brand, introduce yourself to potential users and do not necessarily try to sell your product. It lets your potential users get acquainted with the startup.

Leverage different aspects of social media to market your startup and increase its visibility. For example, Instagram stories are a great way to showcase some of your best products in brief. It grabs the attention of the consumers and piques their interest.

Use language content marketing

While creating content to engage potential users, create content that will resonate with them. The content should be SEO backed to lead organic traffic to your startup’s landing page.

Good content helps establish your startup’s credibility and build trust among users.

Shailen Vandeyar (Founder and CEO of FunnelTeacher.com), says: "Make your startup's first impression a showstopper with a killer landing page – turn heads with your content, not just your logo. It’s like setting the stage for a grand performance where every word on the page whispers an invitation to join the show!"

A great way to make stunning landing pages is to use one of the most recommended funnel building software, ClickFunnels.

3. Educate users to increase interest in your startup

After the consumer’s initial contact with your startup, you can further enhance their interest by educating them. The more educated your users are about your startup’s product, the more interest they will show.

You can educate them through free webinars, blog posts, ebooks, to name a few. These give an insight into your product and let the consumer understand if the product you are offering will be a good fit for them.

Newsletters are also one way to give brand insights in exchange for contact information. It allows your startup to keep the consumer engaged and share particulars about the startup’s products.

Long-form content, such as videos on YouTube and short videos on Instagram and YouTube shorts, are interactive ways to educate consumers about your startup.

A startup with an informed consumer benefits more and establishes itself as credible and strong.

Canva is an example of a strong startup that uploads informative content about its features on social media posts, Instagram stories, and YouTube videos.

4. Organised landing page is a must for a startup brand

First things first, for a successful startup, it is imperative to have a landing page. A well-made landing page helps in converting leads into loyal consumers.

It is essential to have a landing page. Organise it well. Colours and themes should represent the branding of the startup. Some elements should be such that the brand’s ideology peeks through them.

Do check out my article on the positive effects of branding on marketing strategies to learn how crucial branding is.

The categories of products must be carefully segregated and mentioned clearly. It should be easy to navigate the website. A user-friendly interface is a prerequisite for the landing page of a successful startup.

Use simple language for your content. Place consumer testimonials and reviews to let people get real-time views about the brand. Make the landing page visually appealing. Have a tagline or title that sets the tone.

Place a call to action

It is a crucial part of the landing page. A call to action guides the consumer toward a definitive decision. Placing it underneath the tagline, in a color different from the rest of the text, makes it stand out. It appeals to the consumer to make a swift decision.

5. Consideration of startup through email marketing

One of the ideal ways to get a consumer to purchase from your startup is through email marketing. Sending out scheduled emails when a consumer is most likely to access their email is ideal to make them consider purchasing.

Incentives, discounts, special coupon codes, and combo deals are some offers to send consumers through email to inspire them to make a purchase.

Email drip campaigns help in the consideration stage of the funnel. It can assist in preventing leakage (loss of a consumer) at this stage and keep the consumer engaged.

Employ an email drip campaign when a consumer adds products to their cart or browses the website and leaves without purchasing,

It involves sending emails at regular intervals to remind customers of the benefits of the product and boost sales. An email drip campaign allows you to convert a lead.

6. A strong startup is defined by a loyal consumer base

Once a lead converts, maintaining that relationship with the consumer is essential. Loyalty programs and subscription models influence consumers to pledge loyalty to the startup.

Let us study an example: Millions of people have become Amazon Prime members because of benefits like free delivery and access to their streaming service, Amazon Prime.

It is an example of how incentives with subscription models motivate people to become loyal consumers of the startup, thus pushing it towards success.

These loyal consumers then become the harbinger of more sales as they bring in more consumers. Reward loyal consumers for every referral they give to motivate them.

A robust consumer support service is the trademark of a strong and successful startup. It also serves as a source of motivation to use the services of the startup.