Dave Kerpen On Whether Startups Need A Social Media Strategy

#BiteSize is a video series where leading experts answer some of the most pressing questions entrepreneurs have while building or marketing their startups.

In this latest episode of #BiteSize, Dave Kerpen talks about whether early stage startups need a social media strategy and if they do, what can they expect to get out of their social media ecosystem.

Dave Kerpen

Dave Kerpen is the founder and CEO of Likeable Local, the cofounder and Chairman of Likeable Media, the NY Times Bestselling author of 3 books, an international keynote speaker, and the #1 LinkedIn Influencer of all time in page views, ahead of Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Mark Cuban, and President Barack Obama. He is proud of his Likeable business accomplishments but prouder of his 3 children Charlotte, Kate, and Seth.

Transcript of the Video

Startup entrepreneurs, as you’re launching a product, should definitely leverage social media. But don’t think about social media necessarily as the place to get customers, but think about social media as the place to get feedback – to learn, to listen, to understand what the market wants and needs.

The only place I’d think about social media for early customer acquisition would be social media advertising. So, essentially buying leads and customers by advertising on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, where you can generate really great advertising efficiencies and really great targeting.

But in terms of using the social media networks for the free components, think about the value of social media as learning, listening, gathering intelligence to help make your product better.