How to Use Bootstrapping & Referral Marketing to Build a D2C Brand

Posted by Ann Escalante / May 26, 2023

Over the years, referral marketing proved to be an invaluable tool for direct-to-customer (D2C) brands to build connections with customers, widen their reach to a broad variety of audiences, and create a space to share experiences of the brand for more customers. In the referral marketing field, your business can reach new growth through cost-effective “referrals” from your raving fans.

In this article, we shall discuss more insights for bootstrapping and building a D2C Brand in a referral marketing channel.

Even while bootstrapping a small business, a D2C brand can win by applying a customer-centric framework to your customers. When you serve your customers with excellence, customers give you their loyalty and trust to solve their needs, wants, and desires.

The benefits of referral marketing, especially on D2C brands, are the opportunities for growth for your direct selling business. Word-of-mouth is considered to be the most powerful of marketing, where customers can share their experiences and detailed knowledge of using your brand. Most importantly, marketing campaigns are cost-effective as more and more customers bring in their trusted clients and prospects from their own firsthand experience with your brand.

Referral marketing relies on building relationships more than focusing on traditional methods for sales. Your customers are also viewed as partners that are an extension of your brand. Customers are invited to play a key role in sharing your brand with their trusted relationships.

Pitfalls are common in building any type of business. Since a direct selling business has a wide margin of growth, leaders must always be prepared for any situation and avoid these pitfalls. Here are some tips to avoid the most common pitfalls in the field:

1. Maintain an authentic approach to your customers and your team members.
2. Always continue to train and support your team.
3. Be agile, well-prepared, and have the right tools in place for your business.

One of the tools that most effectively apply the three rules is NaXum’s UNIFY platform. Predictive actions technology within the system provides insight data that better understand your customers. UNIFY also includes real-time performance data tracking and analysis within your team members, which leaders can use to identify areas of improvement through support and training.

Having an improved understanding of both your team and the customers you work with will only lead to better outcomes and well-informed decisions for the overall success of your direct selling business.

In summary, bootstrapping and building a referral marketing business around a D2C brand is an effective way to effectively grow a business.

One must be wary of the common pitfalls and be prepared for what that massive growth entails by being well-informed and agile in any given situation. At the end of the day, business success in the referral marketing field is about building loyalty with customers, empowering and supporting your team, and creating relationships with prospects.