ISO: CPG Marketing Advice Without Social Media and VC/Angel Backing Hey everyone! I’m seeing a major decline in engagement for both my personal IG (author life) and my drink’s IG (parentheses). Is anyone else seeing this engagement decline, too? I’m honestly just so burned out on “content creation,” so I’d love to learn more about non-social media marketing strategies that anyone’s using right now. I write a weekly Substack, which I love for my writing career, but I’d love any tips on promoting CPG without social media. Thanks so much! P.S. We’re a super scrappy startup with *no money* to hire PR or consultants. Just looking for peer support here.
Three time entrepreneur, where one business was a brick and mortar - so I feel you on the need to stand out. I’ve had conversations with two amazing women founders this week (looking at you Laura Silverman and Kim Lerner) where I talked about going all in on Substack. I love parentheses but never would have thought to find you or your writing over in that ecosystem - because I don’t know that part of your story. Even if the CPG brand isn’t connected to your writing, storytelling about being a founder in this climate and as a woman is going to resonate, and potentially drive sales. We all know how it feels to have another platform or space where we have to post - but in a dedicated, subscriber based community there looks to be much more opportunity than on the other very noisey platforms.
Do you mind me asking what your engagement goal is? Is it more impact? More sales? Validation of your offer? My account is small (2k) and my engagement is not large publicly but I still find success in sales (enough to pay the bills and reinvest!). I also know of influencers with 10k+ followers with great engagement making no money. I only use my IG as a funnel, and I'm finding excellent success. Also, great success here on LinkedIn already too! I ask to confirm what the sore spot exactly is as I may have a free resource to help 😊🙌
Just took a quick look at your website and the images aren’t very evocative and I don’t feel what the brand wants to be. I would take some time to zhuzh up the colors, use more people-focused imagery, and even add some aspects like travel, pets, etc. You want people to visually put your products in the place where you want them to be enjoying them! As far as non-social, guerrilla activations are always great. Everyone is overwhelmed with things to read, and in the CPG market, tasting is the way to convert.
As a fellow founder with similar constraints, I would love to schedule a time to share my experience and brainstorm options. I will send a DM.
The Nexus of NA ⚡️ (non-alc super connector!) and events manager at LCG, Inc.
7mo100% to everything here. Also feeling the burnout from social media and low engagement. If you don't go viral, it's really, really hard to stand out! Here for your weekly Substack (I have one too, yay -- as you know). Commenting for engagement also because I want to know tips on promoting outside of social.