This month marks my one 12 months anniversary at Brandfolder, and what an important 12 months it’s been. It’s lastly feeling like spring right here in Colorado, so I’ve determined to have a good time with a couple of reflections on the final 12 months.

I used to be initially drawn to Brandfolder by the superb workforce, who was constructing a product that solved an actual enterprise downside I had skilled in every of my earlier roles. The issue: digital property dwell all over the place, which makes them tedious to find and results in inconsistent branding. The answer: a single on-line location the place folks can shortly discover the most recent property, so constructing a powerful model is a breeze. Downside solved.

As a small (however mighty!) advertising and marketing workforce of three, we’ve made some nice strides up to now 12 months. We’ve grown consciousness of our product whereas persevering with to extend our month-to-month lead attainment. We’ve constructed an inbound advertising and marketing technique with tons of wonderful content material like our weblog, our Product Launch eBook, State of DAM Report, and fabulous buyer case research — simply to call a couple of. I might go on and on concerning the nice work our workforce (and firm) is doing, however as a substitute I wished to share my high three takeaways from the previous 12 months.

Lesson One: At all times Be Studying

Startups are exhausting. I’ve spent a big chunk of my time researching finest practices, studying about new applied sciences, and making an attempt to imitate the successes of others. I’ve labored at different tech firms, however by no means an early-stage startup. They’d massive budgets, larger groups, and established processes.

At Brandfolder, we every put on many hats. Some worn by the advertising and marketing workforce embody: Salesforce admin, advertising and marketing technologist, demand technology professional, content material strategist, author, model advocate, inventive director, enterprise analyst, and extra. The change is fixed, but additionally invigorating. In my time at Brandfolder, I’ve learn extra blogs about startups, development, expertise, and advertising and marketing and gross sales finest practices than I’ve in the remainder of my profession. One in all my favorites? Saas Enterprise Weekly by Hiten Shah. Do your self a favor and go subscribe.

Earlier than becoming a member of Brandfolder, I had by no means heard the time period Digital Asset Administration, or DAM for brief. And whereas DAM has change into a part of my mainstream vocabulary, it’s nonetheless not a phrase I really like. Nevertheless, it represents an actual downside. As a marketer, I perceive first-hand the problems that accompany digital property — from understanding what you may have out there, to finding them, to understanding if they’re permitted as ultimate, and with who and the place they’ve been shared.

I’ve spent one other chunk of my time taking a look at the easiest way to unravel this downside for advertising and marketing and artistic groups, and utilizing that data to articulate the place Brandfolder suits in. This data gathering course of has been enjoyable and rewarding, and I particularly love the spot our firm is in now — including superb clients to our portfolio like Salesforce, PVH (assume Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger), and Sphero’s BB8 (of Star Wars fame).

Regardless of your trade or function, I feel fixed studying ought to all the time be high of thoughts. It’s vital to remain up on the most recent developments and most profitable firms in your area. And it’s equally vital to grasp your patrons and their wants. It’s best to know their ache factors and be capable of clearly clarify how your product may also help them do their job higher.

Lesson Two: Ask For Assist

Our workforce is small. However there’s a number of actually, actually good and gifted folks that work right here. As an organization, we attempt to be clear and hearken to others’ suggestions. If we’re struggling to unravel a problem or give you content material for a marketing campaign, I’ll ask another person for assist. And sure, a few of our best concepts have stemmed from exterior of selling.

I’ve additionally shaped an alliance with our dev workforce, typically leveraging the genius of our co-founder, Paul Arterburn, to enhance our processes. He’s helped us hack an superior strategy to monitor incoming leads (I’ll be writing a future weblog publish on this later), cut back the variety of fields on our varieties, and supply higher perception into the general buyer and prospect expertise. I can confidently say I do know extra about our leads than I’ve at another firm, even these 10X our dimension.

And whereas it’s not a brand new technique, I’ve been making an attempt to focus extra on constructing a community of like-minded entrepreneurs exterior of Brandfolder. If you happen to aren’t reaching out to introduce your self to different gamers in your house, you’re promoting your self brief. In earlier roles, I didn’t find time for networking, and now understand that I used to be solely hurting myself. I’ve had nice calls with VPs and Administrators at different organizations which have created bigger alternatives for co-marketing and content material partnerships. It’s additionally given me an opportunity to study what’s working (and what’s not) at their organizations, which has given me one more new supply for finest practices we would contemplate implementing right here. Discovering a couple of go-to friends for quarterly calls is simply one other good way we are able to all assist one another achieve success.

Prior to now 12 months, I’ve realized that sensible concepts can come from anyplace, and it’s vital to get exterior of your consolation zone and seek the advice of with others. Cross collaboration, each at your group and with different friendlies, not solely fulfills the idea of “all the time be studying,” but additionally fuels development and new concepts to propel your organization into next-level success.

Lesson Three: Have a good time Your Successes

I used to be scuffling with how you can articulate this level with out sounding braggy, however I’m pleased with the work we’re doing — so perhaps it’s time for some (hopefully) humblebragging.

Brandfolder has modified A LOT up to now 12 months. And most of it has been for the higher. We’ve continued to usher in income and have proven development each quarter. All of this awesomeness is as a result of small workforce that is available in and grinds on a regular basis. I’m fortunate sufficient to be a part of the administration workforce and am nonetheless shocked at how our actions have formed our outcomes. In earlier jobs I knew I used to be contributing, however by no means actually felt the influence of my efforts. It’s superb to observe the corporate evolve and know that each single individual right here has performed an element in these modifications.

These emotions of accomplishment have been confirmed throughout a name with a Advertising and marketing Director from one other firm earlier this month. He requested me what businesses we use to outsource our work. I instructed him we do every thing in home. He was very impressed. Whereas working in such a fast-paced setting, it’s simple to really feel such as you’re by no means shifting the needle. There’s all the time extra to do. However after the decision wrapped up, I used to be capable of take a step again and mirror on all the nice work we’ve achieved and proceed to do. It was very nice to listen to how impressed another person was with our advertising and marketing workforce.

And, not solely is the work we’re doing making a distinction at Brandfolder, however we’re serving to different folks with their jobs. Our buyer expertise workforce typically shares tidbits of suggestions like “Brandfolder modified our branding for one of the best,” or “Brandfolder has made my job a lot simpler.” I really like understanding our platform is simplifying another person’s life, and giving them time again of their day to deal with extra vital issues.

To see, how Brandfolder may also help your personal group construct a powerful model, get in contact by clicking on the button beneath.