I've been working for several months to form a relationship that would lead to a formal partnership with a global brand that could quickly elevate our start-up's marketing power. We had a very good conference call this week and interest is high on both ends. After our last interaction, they asked to see our marketing and sales collateral and slide decks. The problem is: We don't have any (other than the website). I stopped using those things years ago as they often ended up being ignored or turning into distractions. Each contract we do is custom, so the only media I use in early meetings is a portable white board where we brainstorm and sketch our partnership. Later, I'll send a draft proposal that we revise until both parties agree. This proposal is just paper. It's not pretty. So, the question is: Do I just tell the national brand that this is how we do business? What would you do?
There is a basic level of documentation you should have about your start-up (walking around deck) that being said I have sat on the side of the large company brand not in marketing but within a role that had many companies pitching us with information. You don't want to make something for a big company that you yourself don't use or believe in; I would be honest vs. just making up a bunch of slides that in the end will not truly represent who you are or how you work.
Answered 9 years ago
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