If you’re a startup, your marketing strategy is going to be oriented by your product strategy. And your product strategy is going to be informed by your customers.
Both brand and direct sales marketing strategies are important eventually because they address different parts of the consumer purchase funnel: brand marketing focuses on the discovery phase of the consumer, while direct sales marketing focuses on consumers who are in the mindset of making a purchase.
Practically though, you’ll start with growth marketing tactics that require least customer acquisition costs. This means your strategy mix will depend on where you find your early adopter or customer segments ultimately.

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