From Zero to Funded: The Marketing Behind Storyay’s Launch with Sara Furlong-Warren
Have a brilliant business idea but unsure how to bring it to market? This episode is your blueprint. Marketing isn’t just part of the launch—it IS the launch.
Guest Introduction: Sara Furlong-Warren, Chief Content Officer and Co-Founder of Storyay, joins Hayley Bohan to share how her team successfully launched an innovative children's product using a highly strategic marketing approach. With 20 years of experience in kids’ entertainment and publishing, Sara brings deep insight into what it takes to go from idea to fully funded Kickstarter.
Episode Summary: Launching a business isn't just about building the product—it’s about building the market. In this episode, Sara shares:
- How Storyay reimagined children's reading with serialized, personalized, mailed stories.
- Why they prioritized brand strategy before anything else.
- The importance of a pre-launch runway and how they used social media, PR, and live TV appearances to build early trust.
- How Kickstarter served as both funding and a powerful marketing tool.
- The importance of educating the customer when selling something truly unique.
- The vital role email marketing plays in conversion and retention.
- How the team built out a full-circle strategy to drive attraction, conversion, retention, and expansion.
Whether you’re launching a new product or considering a pivot, Sara’s approach is a masterclass in small business marketing strategy.
Additional Resources:
Connect with Sara and learn more about Storyay
Instagram - TikTok - Facebook - Website
Connect with Hayley
Instagram - Facebook - Website - Book
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