How to Build a Scalable GO-To-Market Strategy

I’ve been the first marketer at two companies now worth over $2 billion. If I did it again, here’s 9 things I’d do differently: 1️⃣ Start with brand as a scalable system Build a modular design system early with components you can combine instead of create. A Figma system, Canva templates, Google Slide layouts. Pair that with a messaging doc, your "copy-paste" bank of positioning, beliefs, and product language. It becomes a foundation for consistency and a knowledge base for AI. 2️⃣ Prioritize the 95%, not just the 5% LinkedIn & search ads worked early, but only because we caught the 5% already in market. The "demand capture" pool dries up fast. Invest early in "demand creation." Reach the 95% who aren’t ready yet, but will be. 3️⃣ Build in public People trust people more than companies. Let internal voices share what they’re building and learning. In the AI era, content is easy. Opinion & stories are valuable. 4️⃣ Know your customer so well the strategy writes itself I used to sit on every sales call and write every piece of copy. That proximity helped me hear what customers cared about, what words they used, where they hung out. Be close enough to "hear the music," and messaging & growth channels become obvious. 5️⃣ Start community early Create spaces where early customers can connect: Slack, Reddit, meetups, certification. It fuels your roadmap and scales support when customers can help each other. Even better if it creates user-generated content that is indexable/shareable. 6️⃣ Create the problem Don’t build the whole funnel on day one. If you don’t have traffic, don’t worry about conversion. Solve the problem you actually have. Let the next one emerge or you'll be building and rebuilding as things inevitably change. 7️⃣ Look bigger than you are Design clean & consistent. Logo small (bigger companies don't oversize their logo). Feature your biggest customers, your compliance certifications. Use big company channels but use them small (buy one billboard, get one great PR story, speak on one well-known podcast). Make big company content but do it small (like a single high production video). 8️⃣ Build lightweight systems You don’t need full-blown infrastructure. A Notion board or copy-paste doc can carry you farther than you think. Build systems for speed, not scale. 9️⃣ Protect your focus Get used to working with an infinite backlog. I used to start each day with a sticky note on my laptop of my 3 to 5 most important tasks. You weren’t hired to do everything, you were hired to make impact. If you've done this - what would you add?

Deep Dive #8 for “Some of My Learnings” Learning #8: Step 1: Prove product/market fit. Step 2: Create a repeatable opportunity creation motion. Step 3: Only after successfully completing Step 1 & Step 2, invest in scale. Prematurely investing in scale is the same as lighting money on fire. This formula applies to both startups and large companies. When you build a product from scratch, or as they say from Zero to One, there are one of two types of products you build. It’s either a product for an established market with established competitors or a product in a new category. Let’s start with established products and I can then highlight the extra work that needs to be done for a category creating product. So goal #1 that must be accomplished when you build a product from the ground-up is to get validation from the market that in fact the product you built solves an important problem, customers are willing to pay for it and what you deliver works as advertised and solves a real problem for a focused set of customers. The first 25 to 50 customers have to be acquired in very non-scalable ways. You must do things initially that don’t scale, so that you can eventually scale. The product leader in a big company or a CEO in a startup have to be intimately involved in selling and delivering the first few deals. Now, a V1 product, no matter how good, isn’t going to meet all the requirements of every customer segment or industry vertical. So it is crucial to understand exactly which customers will most benefit from the product and define that ideal customer profile (ICP). Most importantly, understand and communicate why you are different from incumbents. Not by 10% but by 10x. Once this is defined, you have to be maniacally focus on pursuing opportunities for ONLY that ICP. The reason for this is that you want to have repeatability in the sales model and not spend a whole lot of time trying to win deals where your probability of winning those deals is extremely low. The thing you want to avoid at all costs is a “slow no”. Now, as you keep enhancing the product, you can keep expanding your ICP. But staying focused on the initial ICP is great not just for sales but also adoption. So… Goal #1 is to validate an ideal customer for whom your product works as advertised. Goal #2 is to make sure that you build a repeatable opportunity creation motion with a defined ICP. Goal #3 once you succeed at #1 & #2, then and only then should you focus on scale. The mistake that many make is to not focus and try and chase and win all different types of use cases all at once, which have little repeatability amongst themselves. This lack of focus leads to low win rates and loss of confidence in the field. If you have to launch a new product category, it is even harder because of the investment needed to create a new category. So identify a large market but focus on serving a very small subset of that market to get started with in the early days.

Startup go-to-market goes through 3 major phases. Failure to recognize which phase you’re in will cause pain, frustration — and often, failure. 🔴 Phase 1 — Market Experimentation This phase is all about learning. But it’s not “research.” The fastest way to find a viable market is by selling. The keys to this phase are speed and volume — you’re trying to get in front of as many potential customers as you can. You’ll start with your network, but should also be creating content, cold DMing prospects, attending meetups, etc. The goal isn’t to hit $1M ARR. It’s to figure out who cares most about the problem you’re solving. Once you know that, you can focus your efforts. 💢 A word of caution: This phase is messy. You’ll face rejection. A lot. But keep going and remember, this is temporary. You’ll know you’re ready for the next phase when you have a gut feeling that you could sell a lot of your product to a specific market. 🔵 Phase 2 — Beachhead Growth This phase is about building systems. The name of the game here is “repeatability.” 👉 To create effective systems, you MUST narrow your focus. You need to solve one use case for one specific group of people. This focus is your competitive advantage for breaking into the market. Without it, you’ll feel like you’re boiling the ocean, and your GTM efforts won’t be effective. Tactically, this phase is about setting up the “plumbing” for how prospects find, evaluate, buy, and use your product. This often involves: • Building marketing and sales assets (homepages, sales decks, email campaigns, etc.) • Developing top-of-funnel content (blogs, social posts, webinars) • Setting up tools to track leads and prospects (CRM) • Creating onboarding materials The goal? Dominate this segment. This should get you to at least $1M ARR. 🟢 Phase 3 — Expansion Growth By this point, you should have a repeatable GTM program that’s generating revenue and earning you some name recognition as a rising player. Now, it’s time to reinvest that revenue and grow. You have 2 main options to consider: • Enter adjacent markets with the same use case (horizontal) • Solve new use cases for your current market (vertical) Which route you take depends on the type of business you want to build, who you want to serve, and your market’s appetite. 💢 But don’t make the classic mistake of going after multiple markets all at once. Expansion is like restarting phase 2—new segments require new systems. The smartest move? Take it one segment at a time. (Sequencing) ——— Remember: Building GTM programs is just like building a product. Mindset is key. There’s a time for learning. There’s a time for building something small (but viable). And there’s a time to scale. Know what phase you’re in, and you’ll have a much smoother time growing your startup. #startups #gotomarketstrategy #growth

Sales are predictable, only if you have the right people and playbook. Here's part of my playbook after helping guide 12 companies to unicorn status: Most startups struggle with sales not because their product isn’t great. But because they’re winging it instead of following a proven process. Here’s the process I’ve used to scale 1 in every 5 companies I've worked with to unicorn status or 9-figure exits. Step 1: Be clear about your ICP Most startups think their audience is "everyone." Wrong. - Who has the biggest pain that your product solves? - Who has the budget and urgency to buy now? - Who will refer you to others after buying? - Who is easiest to get ahold of? Pro tip: If your sales team is chasing everyone, they’re closing no one. Step 2: Fix your sales messaging If your pitch sounds like everyone else’s, your prospects zone out. Don’t say “We’re an innovative AI-powered solution…” Instead, lead with outcomes. ❌ “We help companies streamline operations.” ✅ “We helped Scott cut CAC by 37% in 60 days. Any reason you couldn't get similar results?" Buyers don’t care about your product. They care about how it fixes their problem. Step 3: Build a repeatable sales process. If you don’t have a process, you have a guessing game. Here’s what I set up: - Outbound Sequence – Cold outreach that feels warmed up - Inbound Strategy – Attract buyers to you through content - Go To Network Strategy - Get intros to the interested - Sales Stages – Steps from discovery to close - Follow-Up – “No” is better than nothing Sales should feel like a well-rehearsed dance, not an improv session. Step 4: Data-driven sales execution Gut feelings don’t scale. Data does. We track: - Conversion rates at every stage - Sales cycle length - Top-performing reps (What are they doing differently?) The fastest-growing startups aren’t guessing. They’re iterating based on numbers. Step 5: Optimize & scale A great sales strategy isn’t set in stone, it evolves, so revisit every 6 months. - Are deals stalling? We learn why. - Are leads ghosting? We refine messaging. - Is the close rate dropping? We help fix it, quickly. Sales isn’t magic. It’s a system. Build the system, and the revenue follows. If your startup’s sales feel random instead of codified, it’s time to get serious. DM me, let’s build a sales engine that actually works.

If you’re building a company or trying to figure out how to grow it fast, this is for you. Today, we’re breaking down 7 GTM motions (with 28 guides) from top companies. And we've brought expert Maja Voje to help. Here’s your roadmap to mastering Go-to-Market: — 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗢-𝗧𝗢-𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 When it comes to Go-to-Market (GTM), it’s all about the right combination of motions. From driving virality to closing enterprise deals, each motion is a tool that you can leverage to unlock growth. And while it may seem like a mystery, every successful GTM strategy shares key elements you can master: → What works at scale → Knowing where to focus → Scaling your team right — 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗘: 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬'𝗦 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗦 We analyzed 12 of the hottest tech companies and found 3 common patterns: 1. PLG is taking over ↳ 80% of top companies now use (PLG) as their primary or a major supporting motion. ↳ Even enterprise giants like Salesforce are embracing it. 2. Multi-channel is essential ↳ No company relies on just one motion. ↳ On average, these companies use at least 3 channels to support growth. 3. ABM and Outbound are king for enterprise ↳ In high-ticket sales, Account-Based Marketing (ABM) and targeted outbound motions dominate. ↳ This is how five and six-figure deals get done. 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 → Start simple If you’re selling to consumers, lean on PLG, community, and partnerships early. → For SMBs Combine inbound and outbound motions for awareness and relationship-building. → For Enterprises Focus on ABM and outbound, with inbound as a support. — 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗘.𝗢𝗡𝗘: 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗭𝗘 1. Talk to your customers ↳ Find out how your buyers made their last purchasing decision, including the channels they used and decision drivers. ↳ Ask what content, demos, or touchpoints had the most impact on their decision. 2. Research your competition ↳ Use tools like SimilarWeb, SEMRush, and BuiltWith to analyze your competitors' traffic sources , GTM motions, and untapped opportunities. 3. Play on your strengths ↳ Assess the channels where your team already has proven skills and experience and double down on it first. 4. Select 2-3 GTM motions to test ↳ Prioritize the channels that align best with your product and target audience for the highest potential ROI. 5. Stick with them for 1-3 months ↳ Track progress consistently, making data-driven adjustments without switching strategies too quickly and iterate on what works. — 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗪𝗢: 𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗬 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 If you want to master all 7 motions — with detailed breakdowns, examples, swipe files, and the tools to execute them — the breakdown is in the comments 👇.

As a Sales Leader, structuring a repeatable top-of-funnel process is crucial for sustainable growth. Here’s a 9-step checklist you can use to build a durable sales funnel that not only fills the pipeline but ensures its longevity and effectiveness. 👇 1. Identifying and Understanding Your Ideal Customer Start with a clear picture of who you’re targeting. Analyze market data and customer feedback to define your ideal customer profile (ICP). This understanding directs all other sales efforts, ensuring they’re focused and effective. 2. Crafting and Communicating Your Value Proposition Your value proposition should resonate deeply with your ICP. It’s about clarity and relevance—make sure it addresses the specific needs and pain points of your target audience. 3. Developing a Targeted Outbound Strategy Tailor your outreach to the preferences and behaviors of your ICP. A targeted strategy ensures that your efforts are concentrated on the most promising leads. 4. Writing Sales Copy That Generates Pipeline Effective sales copy is clear, compelling, and directly speaks to your ICP’s needs.  Ensure your messaging consistently aligns with your value proposition and appeals to your audience. 5. Optimizing and Managing Outreach Channels Choose your channels based on where your ICP is most active. Regularly review and optimize these channels to maintain engagement and improve response rates. 6. Building and Maintaining Effective Sales Sequences Develop sequences that nurture leads at every step of the funnel. Automated workflows can help maintain timely follow-ups and consistent engagement. 7. Mastering Objections with Curiosity and Confidence Equip your team to handle objections by fostering a mindset of curiosity and confidence. This approach not only addresses concerns but also opens up opportunities for deeper engagement. 8. Conducting Discovery Meetings and Building Relationships Discovery meetings are crucial for understanding the prospect’s needs in-depth. Focus on building relationships rather than just selling, fostering trust and collaboration. 9. Creating Repeatable Processes to Ensure Durable Growth Systematize successful strategies to create a scalable and repeatable sales process. Continuous training, regular audits, and adaptability to market changes are key to sustaining success. ✨ Leadership Takeaway - Implementing these steps requires more than just strategic planning; it demands a commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation. Focus on these fundamentals to build a robust sales funnel that drives sustainable growth. Need a helping hand? Shoot me a DM and we can chat 1:1. #GTMAdvisor #SalesConsultant #SalesTraining #SalesProcess

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭-𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐭, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭! 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭? Finding PMF is just the beginning. The next challenge? Building a Go-To-Market strategy that scales. Without a clear plan, growth stalls, sales cycles drag, and customers hesitate. Here’s how to structure your GTM strategy for sustainable, repeatable success: 1️⃣ Define Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) Not all customers are the right fit. Who gets the most value? Who buys with urgency? Who renews? Focus there. 2️⃣ Craft a Clear Value Proposition Customers don’t buy features—they buy outcomes. How does your product solve their problem better than anyone else? 3️⃣ Choose the Right Sales Strategy Enterprise Sales (direct sales teams for big deals) Inside Sales (scalable for mid-market & SMBs) Product-Led Growth (PLG) (free trials/self-serve adoption) Channel & Partnerships (MGAs, resellers, other core platforms providers) 4️⃣ Align Sales & Marketing Your marketing attracts the right customers. Your sales team converts them. Misalignment = wasted leads and missed revenue. 5️⃣ KPI’s - Track, Optimize, and Iterate GTM is NOT “set it and forget it.” Refine what works. Drop what doesn’t. What’s your biggest GTM challenge right now? Let’s discuss in the comments! #GoToMarket #SalesStrategy #InsurTech #Growth #Founders