In this episode of Rogue Startups, I dug into several pressing questions from the community. From knowing when to pull the plug on a marketing channel to the debate around hiring for support versus sales, we covered ground that matters deeply to founders and entrepreneurs. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways that can help you level up your startup game.

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A common dilemma many founders face is determining whether a new marketing channel is working. If you’ve ever wondered how long you should invest in a channel before calling it quits, you’re not alone.

Here’s how I break it down:

For example, if you’re working on LinkedIn, impressions tell you whether your content is even being seen. Engagement and DM conversations are steps that follow, but focusing on what starts the funnel will help you decide if you should stick with it.

Another big question I often get asked is, “How do I know whether I need to hire for support, sales, or customer success?” This decision depends largely on where your business is in its growth stage and the roles you want to fill.

I suggest founders think about these roles in terms of function and their contribution to revenue growth. Where is the biggest gap in your customer journey?

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get bogged down in tasks that feel productive but don’t directly drive growth. One of my favorite principles to live by is focusing on activities closest to your customers and revenue.

Remember, your goal in the early days is to collect data, not over-engineer things.

Paid acquisition is often intimidating, but there’s a simple approach that’s often overlooked—sponsorships in industry newsletters, podcasts, or YouTube videos. This tactic is low-risk and can provide quick insights into whether your message resonates.

At Castos, we’re experimenting with this approach by sponsoring a few relevant newsletters and YouTube videos in our space. It’s a great way to validate messaging and offers before diving into more complex ad platforms.

The core principle for any founder is this: Work on the thing closest to your customers and revenue. All the fancy tools, automation, and branding strategies can come later. Start by doing what doesn’t scale—talking directly to your customers, gathering insights, and refining your product and messaging based on real feedback.

Final Thoughts
These are some of the questions that have come up repeatedly in my coaching sessions and with fellow founders. My best advice is to stay close to your customers, be data-driven in your approach, and always remember the 90-day rule when evaluating new channels. If you have more questions or want to dive deeper into any of these topics, feel free to reach out!

Call to Action: If you’re interested in growing your business and leveling up your marketing, stay tuned for our upcoming episode where I’ll be sharing a deep dive into building a paid acquisition funnel for higher-ticket products.