The Basic Marketing Setup Every Startup Should Have

Starting a company is hard. Getting the word out shouldn’t be.

If you’re a founder without a marketing team (or budget), the good news is: you don’t need a massive strategy to make your business look real, feel trustworthy, and start attracting the right people.

You just need a basic marketing setup — a few smart, low-effort pieces that make a big impact.

Here’s what that looks like. No fluff. No jargon. Just the stuff that works.

1. Brand Basics (Start Looking Like a Real Company)

You don’t need a full brand book. You do need to look like an actual business.

Here’s what should be part of your basic marketing setup:

• • • • A clear value proposition — who you help, what you offer, and why it matters
      • A name + domain you can stand behind
      • A basic logo (a stylized name counts — Canva is your friend)
      • 2–3 brand colors and a font pairing
      • A consistent tone of voice (formal? friendly? founder-to-founder?)

These elements make your marketing look and feel cohesive — even if you’re just getting started.

2. A One-Page Website That Works

You do not need a five-page site, a CMS, or a developer.

You just need one clear page that includes:

• • • • What your company does (value prop up top)
      • Who it’s for
      • How to get in touch (email or contact form)
      • A way to join your email list

This is the foundation of your online presence — and an essential part of any basic marketing setup.

You can build this in an afternoon using tools like Squarespace, Carrd, Wix, or even Notion + Super.
The platform doesn’t matter. The clarity does.

3. An Email List (Even If You’re Not Sending Yet)

You might not be ready to send a newsletter. That’s okay.
You should still start collecting emails now.

Why? Because attention is hard to earn — and even harder to get back.

Set up a Mailchimp or ConvertKit account. Add a signup form to your site with simple, friendly copy:

“Want updates as we build? Drop your email here.”

Bonus: set up a short welcome email so people hear from you right away.

Starting your list is a low-effort, high-impact piece of your basic marketing setup.

4. One Place to Share Updates Consistently

You don’t need to be everywhere.
You just need to be somewhere — consistently.

Pick one channel:

• • • • Your blog
      • Your LinkedIn
      • A lightweight newsletter

And post something once a week or every other week. Share things like:

• • • • What you’re building
      • Customer wins or lessons
      • Progress updates or milestones
      • Common questions and your answers

This helps you stay visible, build trust, and create momentum — without the stress of being “on” all the time.

5. A Simple Marketing Stack That Won’t Break You

Here’s what your basic marketing setup needs to run smoothly in the early days:

That’s it. You don’t need a giant tech stack. These tools will grow with you — or be easy to swap later.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait to Be “Ready”

Most founders wait until they have more traction, more funding, or more time to “get serious” about marketing.

But here’s the truth:
You’ll grow faster when you look ready now.

This basic marketing setup helps you:

• • • • Look legit
      • Stay organized
      • Build real traction
        — without overbuilding or overspending too early.

And when you’re ready for more?
That’s where Mathlete comes in.