Marketing Tasks Startups Should Outsource Now

For any successful startup, a smart approach to marketing is crucial in gaining a foothold in the industry. Word of mouth and reputation can rapidly change the way a business expands, so making marketing a priority is a no-brainer. But instead of pouring your precious pennies into mass marketing that fails to yield results, it’s time for startups to work smarter not harder. Outsourcing is a great way for startups to streamline and specialise their marketing strategy.

Read on for the top 4 marketing tasks your startup should already be outsourcing.

1. Events Assistance

Whether it’s a launch party for your brand new product, a biannual meeting for investors, or simply a catch up to keep all the company connected, events are a crucial part of any business. However, the logistics and legwork that go into organising and executing an event can be a drain on your time. Instead of agonising over how to handle an event, look to outsourcing as an option. Experienced event planners are just a click away and they can help with everything from sourcing location, to guest greeting, drink serving, and cleaning up the mess. It’s also a financially friendly way to do it, as online vendors will bid for your business leaving you to choose the most suitable pitch within your budget.

2. Leaflet Handouts/Sampling

While the online world is expanding at a rapid pace and digital advertising is impossible to avoid, sometimes the old fashioned way of making your mark still does the trick. Pounding the pavement to hand out flyers or doing a lengthy letterbox drop can deliver amazing results for your business. However, instead of doing the hard yards yourself, look to the online marketplace for local workers who can help. Not only will they have a better idea of the area, they’ll also be able to pinpoint high traffic areas in order to maximise your exposure.

3. Market Research (Surveys, Data Collection, Research, Mystery Shoppers)

Cutting out the middle man is crucial for any startup hoping to get some real time feedback from their audience on a new product, design, or development. Real time responses are hard to come by, especially when you’re engaging an agency to carry out research on your behalf. Take the alternate option and reach out directly to your market online. Whether you’re in the market for some mystery shoppers, hoping to send out a bunch of surveys or are taking a new product to trial, there’s an online community waiting to help out. It’s cost effective and immediate – that’s a win-win.

4. Photography

Chances are at some point your startup is going to require some professional images for the business. Whether it’s general snaps for a website landing page, commercial pictures for your online store, or maybe something more stylised for an up market blog, it’s important to get it right. Professional snappers can set you back a small fortune, but luckily for you there is a huge talent pool of freelance photographers online. It’s the kind of industry where supply heavily outweighs demand, so you can engage an experienced snapper, who has all the gear, for a fraction of the price. Hot tip: be sure to be clear and concise about what you need and use examples from styles you like.

**Written by Katie Hume, Marketing Communications Manager at AirTasker. 

Katie Hume is the Marketing Communications Manager at Airtasker – a trusted community marketplace for people and businesses to outsource tasks, find local services or hire flexible staff in minutes – online or via mobile.