So, you’ve got a startup. You’ve got the product, the vision, and maybe even a slick website. But there’s just one tiny problem: no one knows who you are.
Brand awareness isn’t just about existing; it’s about making people care that you exist. And in a world where attention spans are shorter than a TikTok trend, startups don’t have the luxury of waiting years to get noticed.
So how do you build brand awareness fast without screaming into the void? Let’s break it down with real-life examples that prove it’s possible.
1. Make Noise on Social Media (But Be Interesting, Please)
Nobody likes a brand that only talks about itself (yawn). The startups that win on social media are the ones that know how to entertain, engage, and, yes, even troll a little.
Example: Duolingo’s TikTok Takeover: Who knew an owl would be the face of unhinged corporate humor? Duolingo turned their TikTok into a viral sensation by hopping on trends, roasting users, and just being downright hilarious. The result? Millions of people now associate them with fun and language learning.
Advice: Don’t just post product updates, be a personality. People follow accounts that entertain them, not ones that feel like corporate press releases.
2. Partner with Bigger Brands (AKA Borrow Their Audience)
You don’t have to start from scratch. Hitching your brand to a bigger name is like sneaking into the VIP section of a party, you instantly look cooler.
Example: Casper & Airbnb’s Sleep Collaboration: Casper, a then-new mattress startup, partnered with Airbnb to provide free mattress trials to travelers. Genius move! It got their product in front of people where it mattered, when they were actually sleeping.
Advice: Find a non-competing brand with a similar audience and team up for a giveaway, event, or exclusive offer. Instant exposure, no begging required.
3. Get Controversial (or at Least Stir Some Buzz)
Playing it safe won’t make people talk about you. The brands that stand out aren’t afraid to shake things up.
Example: Liquid Death’s “Murder Your Thirst” Campaign. Who launches a water brand that looks like an energy drink and calls itself “Liquid Death”? Someone who understands branding, that’s who. They took something boring (water) and made it edgy, leading to massive hype.
Advice: Find a way to challenge industry norms or poke fun at something outdated. Just make sure it aligns with your brand’s personality.
We at ELSCEDRES try to make ourselves more interesting and appealing for our audience, and we can help you as well.
4. Get Influencers & Customers Talking
Let’s be honest, people trust other people more than they trust brands. So, instead of throwing cash at ads, get real humans to hype you up.
Example: Gymshark’s Influencer Army. Gymshark didn’t start with billion-dollar budgets. They built their brand by partnering with fitness influencers who actually used their products, leading to cult-like brand loyalty.
Advice: You don’t need to pay celebrities. Find micro-influencers (5k–50k followers) who align with your brand, send them free products, and let them spread the word authentically.
5. Show Up in Unexpected Places
Sometimes, brand awareness isn’t about where you market, it’s about how unexpectedly you do it.
Example: Tesla’s Zero-Dollar Ad Strategy. Ever seen a Tesla commercial? Nope. That’s because they let their customers do the marketing. Between Elon Musk’s Twitter chaos and viral fan videos, Tesla built its brand by letting hype do the heavy lifting.
Advice: Instead of spending big on traditional ads, create experiences that people want to talk about. Whether it’s an epic PR stunt, a meme-worthy campaign, or a bizarre but effective guerrilla marketing move.
Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting, Start Making Noise
Brand awareness isn’t a waiting game, it’s a strategic one. The startups that break through don’t do it by hoping people will notice them. They make people want to notice them.
So, whether you’re hopping on social media trends, teaming up with the right partners, or stirring up a little controversy, make sure to get out there and make your brand impossible to ignore.
Need help in being more visible and attracting those customers? If yes is the answer, we are here to show you how.