The Marketing Collateral Startups Actually Need

As a startup or new business, developing quality marketing collateral can be daunting. With finite resources and infinite options, how do you know what really matters? I’ll summarise the marketing materials that will help your startup leave an impact and appeal to your audience in this article.

---

What is Marketing Collateral?

Marketing collateral is the type of material utilised by a business to convey its brand message, value proposition, and service or product to its potential customers. These can include items from printed brochures to digital assets like social media graphics. For startups, it’s about choosing the tools that deliver the most impact for the least outlay.

---

What Marketing Collateral Signs Your Startup Needs

Professionally Designed Logo and Brand Assets

Your logo and brand identity serve as the backbone of all your marketing efforts. These components establish your business tone and carry it through each and every piece of collateral. Hire a professional designer to produce a versatile, memorable logo that reflects your brand values.

Business Cards

Even in the digital age, business cards continue to serve as a potent tool in our networking hands. An impactful card signifies a professional along with making it convenient for potential clients/partners to remember you.

A High-Quality Website

Your website is your online shopfront. Make sure it is attractive, easy to navigate and search engine optimised. Share a list of your services, hours of operation, contact information and an about page that shares your brand story.

Brochures or Flyers

Brochures and flyers act as great physical marketing items for local events or in-person meetings. These should showcase your products/services, feature eye-catching images, and have a simple, clear call to action.

Social Media Graphics

Social media is typically the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. Branded graphics can be used to make it noticeable on every platform. You can also use design tools like Canva for low-cost, professional visuals.

Presentation Decks

A great presentation deck can be a game-changer when you're pitching to investors or presenting to prospective clients. Use visuals to complement your message, prioritise clarity, remove clutter from your slides.

Email Templates

Email marketing is an inexpensive way to reach your audience. Email Template — Invest in professionally designed email templates to make sure that your campaigns look professional and XHTML compliant.

Bonus Tips for Startups

Go Small, Scale: Start with the essentials, then add more collateral as your business expands. Focus on things that matter most to bring new customers and set up the demand.

Use Digital Tools — Canva, Adobe Express and such are the cheaper platforms to slash those marketing materials with, do not even need to hire a designer.

Test and Refine: Track how your marketing collateral is received. Listen to analytics to see what resonates with your audience, and then pivot.

---

Final Thoughts

When starting up, there is so much pressure to create every kind of marketing collateral imaginable. By honing in on the key principles, however, you can establish a bedrock that encourages revenue growth and sets your brand apart. Again, it’s not about the most collateral; it’s having the right collateral.

If you’re unsure where to begin or need assistance putting together professional materials, let’s talk. Through years of marketing experience, I aim to help you leave your mark.