This is a three-step protocol designed for Seed-stage constraints: limited time, limited cash, high urgency, and the need for repeatable learning. Run it in seven days before you expand scope.

Step 1: Define the Signal You Need This Week

Before you choose channels, content, tools, or campaigns, decide what uncertainty you are trying to reduce.

Pick one signal goal. Examples:

• 10 qualified conversations booked with a specific ICP
• 30 landing page sign-ups from a single channel with a defined CTA
• 3 paid pilot inquiries from a targeted outreach list
• a cost-per-lead below a threshold with downstream qualification

Your signal goal must be measurable and decision-relevant.

Then write one sentence that governs the week:

“This week, our marketing exists to generate [signal goal] from [ICP] using [one channel].”

This prevents the classic startup failure of trying to “do SEO + ads + social + email” all at once.

Practical translation:

• Targeting matters only if it produces a measurable response.
• Reach matters only if it brings the right people to the next step. 

Step 2: Choose One Channel and Run One Controlled Test

Now pick one channel for seven days. One.

Examples:

• Founder-led outbound (targeted DM/email)
• LinkedIn content (one post format repeated 3x)
• Google Search ads (small budget)
• Partnerships (one co-marketed asset)
• SEO (one page + distribution, not “start blogging”)

Then run a controlled test with three elements:

A. One offer

• a short consult call
• a pilot
• a waitlist with a clear benefit
• a paid trial
• a downloadable asset that qualifies intent

B. One asset

• one landing page
• one post template
• one outreach script
• one ad variant

C. One decision metric

• reply rate
• booked calls
• cost per qualified lead
• conversion rate to next step

Once you have defined the signal and picked one channel, then write one sentence (save the framework below and reuse it) that governs the week:

“This week, our marketing exists to generate [signal goal] from [ICP] using [one channel].”

This prevents the classic startup failure of trying to “do SEO + ads + social + email” all at once.

Practical translation:

• Targeting matters only if it produces a measurable response.
• Reach matters only if it brings the right people to the next step. 

 

You can absolutely use tactics like retargeting or lookalike audiences, but only after you’ve generated a baseline signal and you know what “qualified” looks like. Otherwise you amplify noise.

Step 3: Close the Loop—Turn Results Into a Decision

At the end of the seven days, your job is not to “review performance.” Your job is to make a decision.

Use this closure checklist:

1. What happened? (3 numbers only)

• inputs (spend / outreach volume)
• outputs (clicks / replies / sign-ups)
• outcomes (qualified calls / pilots / payments)

2. What did we learn about ICP, message, or channel? (one sentence)

3. What do we do next? (choose one)

• Scale: increase volume/budget by 20–30% and keep variables stable
• Iterate: change one variable (message or offer) and rerun
• Kill: stop and shift to a new channel hypothesis

This is where most “digital marketing” content fails startups: it teaches tactics but not closure. Without closure, marketing becomes an endless loop of output with no accumulation of certainty.

To support the learning loop, instrument only what you need:

• basic analytics (traffic, conversions)
• one funnel event (CTA completion)
• one qualification indicator (who booked / who paid)

You can add heatmaps, session recordings, surveys, and deeper intelligence later. At Seed stage, add complexity only when it improves decisions.