Should I Market My Company or My Software?


4

Im working on a startup software company and hoping to launch our first software in 3-4 months.

I should have answered these questions months ago and begun marketing then but I've left it until late:

  1. Should I focus on marketing my company or my product? Furthermore should I buy a domain for mycompany.com or myproduct.com.
  2. Again, for social media (fb + twitter + blogs)... for which brand should I try to build equity.
  3. How can I be most effective considering the short time frame?
  4. Ive settled on company and product names based on wanting to build them by creating conversation online, and not on any micro testing. Should I be worried?

Thanks for any and all your answers,
Tanvir

Naming Product Launch

asked Jul 6 '10 at 00:41
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Tanvir Chowdhury
165 points

4 Answers


2

Here are my thoughts:

  1. Unless you have multiple products, I would focus on your product. The product is what people are going to purchase, not the company. Go to nxdom and look for good URLs for both!
  2. For social media, I would build brand equity for both -- with a lean toward the product. This is much easier as you can use a tool such as Hootsuite, SproutSocial, to manage multiple social media accounts from one dashboard.
  3. You can be most effective by writing blog posts about the industry your software company (and product) resides. Make sure to reach out to those already writing on similar topics. Start networking and building relationships with these people as well.
  4. If you are committed to building them it probably is too late at this point. Just keep working hard and hopefully it will work out...

Final piece of advice: help other people! Aside from the positive karma, you will be able to build relationships and meet people who may be helpful. You have "1" point here -- if you want some solid answers consider contributing to the community!

answered Jul 6 '10 at 02:15
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Jeff Epstein
1,532 points
  • Jeff, Thanks for your input! I'm also looking into Hootsuite at the moment. Looks like a fantastic tool. Cheers, – Tanvir Chowdhury 14 years ago

1

My recommendation: Feel free to reserve both domains (company and product) but focus on marketing only one. It is hard to build a single brands - so why try building both.

Which one? I think at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. You will likely find your product being used in different ways than you originally planned, and you will likely want/need to 'rebrand' at some level.

answered Jul 6 '10 at 03:51
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Vineet
1,080 points
  • Thanks Vineet, I think your right. I don't want to make a choice, but initially it makes more sense to focus on the product. As we create more software and offer greater value to users, a time will come when the company brand will surpass our product. – Tanvir Chowdhury 14 years ago

0

If you are a service oriented company then market your company (you don't have any other choice)

If you are product oriented company then market your products. Products will carry your company name forward.

answered Feb 25 '11 at 05:04
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Nilesh
420 points

0

Clients attach to products/services, not companies.

Market what makes you money. If it's the product, market the product.

The company is what's behind it. Later, when/if you make other projects, you can cross promote them through the company.

If you're looking to build clientele, it's for a product, which is owned by your company.

All the best.

answered Jul 8 '10 at 06:39
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Jas Panesar
244 points

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