I'm joined by Kat Wendelstadt, Growth Angel at Ada Ventures, a seasoned expert in go-to-market strategies and customer engagement. With a background in big tech and a passion for startup growth, Kat has helped numerous companies refine their messaging and scale their marketing efforts. She's also a thought leader in the space, frequently sharing her insights on the importance of empathy and curiosity in customer interactions.

Effective go-to-market strategies for early-stage startups require a deep understanding of customer needs and pain points. By refining messaging and testing across various channels, startups can achieve significant conversion uplifts and scale their marketing efforts. In this episode, we explore the critical mistakes to avoid and innovative approaches to winning customers and impressing investors on a tight budget.

Key Discussion Points:

🔥 What's the most common mistake early-stage startups make when it comes to go-to-market strategies?

🤔 How can you ensure your messaging resonates with your target audience and drives conversions?

💡 What are some innovative approaches to customer engagement and content generation that don't break the bank?

🚀 How can you identify the most impactful marketing channels for your buyer's journey and scale your efforts?

📊 What are the key metrics to track and measure when it comes to go-to-market strategies, and how can you optimize for success?

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

2:08 - GTM Pre-Series A

6:21 - The 5 Cardinal Sins of Early-Stage GTM

7:21 - Messaging Fixes that Drive Growth

10:15 - Cutting Through the AI Noise

11:09 - Category Creation and Storytelling

16:23 - Low-Budget GTM Tactics for Startups

20:17 - The Attribution Challenge in 2025

22:18 - Choosing the Right GTM Channels

25:27 - Sales-Led vs PLG Motions

28:43 - GTM Challenges During a Pivot

32:14 - Overhyped Channels and Declining Reach

35:22 - Building Repeatable GTM Systems

39:53 - Bonus Segment: Fun Questions with Kat

42:42 - Must-Read GTM Book for Founders

43:12 - Where to Follow Kat Wendelstadt

Important Links:

Kat Wendelstadt (Guest)

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-wendelstadt-gtm

- https://www.katwendelstadt.com/

Vishesh Duggar (Host)

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/visheshd/

- https://vishesh.space

- https://tryjerry.com