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Ask HN: How do I find a CMO/Marketing Expert/Consultant for my startup?

4 points| mansigandhi | 13 years ago | reply

We're a 3 people startup currently in Beta and bootstrapped. We're looking to get someone on board for Marketing. How does one go about finding the right person/team? Most of the folks we know are developers.

1. Would giving just (sizable)equity work? We're not yet in a position to pay. 2. If we are to get a 4th person(CMO), how & where does one find marketing experts? 3. Do Consultants and Consulting Firms do marketing/branding for equity? If not, do you know anyone who is affordable.

Any tips/help welcome. Thanks a bunch.

14 comments

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[+] cyphersanctus|13 years ago|reply
Depending on your startup, (1) just equity can certainly be attractive to the right person. (2) The kind of marketing experts you're looking for can be found by searching on google for blogs relating to growth hacking, SEO, social media, customer acquisition, UX usability, etc. (3) I havent heard of Consulting Firms that do marketing for equity. There is a big company in Germany that takes equity in startups in exchange for ATL media campaigns (on tv, radio, etc). Its a long process though, like with any other investor.

Could you please share your Beta version so that interested parties can contact you?

[+] mansigandhi|13 years ago|reply
Thanks cyphersanctus, that was helpful.

Our startup is http://www.shoutt.me It is currently open to Stanford students only. We're going public early next year.

[+] aorshan|13 years ago|reply
If your site is only open to Stanford students, why don't you find a marketing student at Stanford who would be interesting in working for you? Go hang out by the marketing department and introduce yourself to students. Or contact the career center and see if you can post an intern opening.
[+] mansigandhi|13 years ago|reply
Stanford was more a testing ground. We're opening up to all in January.
[+] redspark|13 years ago|reply
Have you thought about finding an intern who hustles and just put them to work reading growth hacking blogs and implementing/testing ideas.

Search for: Dan Martell Patrick Vlaskovits Sean Ellis Noah Kagan Hiten Shah Dannielle Morrill

etc.

[+] jyu|13 years ago|reply
Even though interns may not cost any money, they are not free. Whenever you have interns (marketing or otherwise), be prepared to invest a bunch of time teaching them, making mistakes which may cost you time and or money, and be prepare for them leaving after several months.

Your app seems viral by nature, without the need to spend money on user acquisition. You might have better chances adding an experienced marketing advisor to your team for nominal equity than hiring someone for only equity.

[+] mansigandhi|13 years ago|reply
Hmm...no we have not, but I'm not sure that's the approach we're looking to take either. I will check out those searches though - thanks