Most startups fail in their first year.

And if you’re not getting the traction you expected, it’s easy to panic.

You start analysing everything, the economy, your product, your pricing. Maybe you even think about throwing more money into ads.

But before you go there, ask yourself one thing: is your marketing actually helping people trust, understand, and choose your brand?

Because for many startups, poor marketing is the real reason behind slow growth.

Let’s break down three common mistakes, and how to fix them using simple, psychology-backed strategies that speak to how the human brain really works.

1. You Look Like a Startup, Not a Brand People Trust

People are naturally sceptical of new brands. If your business feels unfinished, uncertain, or inconsistent, most people will hesitate to buy, even if your product is great.

This doesn’t mean pretending to be something you’re not.
It means showing people you’re serious, that your startup has thought things through, and that you’ll still be around tomorrow.

Signs of this mistake:

• Website design feels basic or inconsistent

• Messaging is unclear or disconnected across channels

• No visible proof, such as testimonials, reviews, or partner logos

• Poor-quality images or lack of branding guidelines

A great example of doing it right is when a startup uses clean, professional design from day one. They use consistent colours, clear headlines, and showcase real users. Immediately, you feel like you’re in good hands.

Why it matters (neuromarketing insight):

The brain avoids risk and uncertainty. When people visit your website or Instagram profile, they make snap judgements. If your brand doesn’t look trustworthy, their brain flags it as unsafe or unreliable, and they leave.

How to fix it:

• Upgrade your visuals using professional design and consistent branding

• Use social proof, including testimonials, case studies, and even early customer results

• Be consistent everywhere. From emails to landing pages to social posts, the voice and visuals should match

Make your startup marketing look and feel like an established brand. Not by faking it, but by putting structure behind what you already have.

2. You Talk About What You Do, Not Why It Matters

This is one of the most common startup marketing mistakes. Founders often focus too much on what they’ve built, especially if it's technical or complex, instead of showing why it matters to the customer.

The truth is, most customers don’t care how your product works.
They care about what it does for them.

Common issues:

• Messaging filled with jargon

• Talking about features, not outcomes

• No emotional relevance

• Language that sounds robotic or corporate

For example, instead of saying “We use advanced predictive algorithms,” try saying, “Know exactly what your customers want, before they do.”

Instead of “AI-powered optimisation tools,” say “Save hours every week without the stress.”

Neuromarketing insight:

Our brains are constantly scanning for relevance. People decide quickly if something is for them. If they have to work too hard to understand what you do, they leave.

How to fix it:

• Translate features into benefits. What changes for the user?

• Write like your customer speaks. If they wouldn’t say it, don’t use it

• Make people feel something. Relief, curiosity, excitement, or clarity

Position your marketing like a mirror. Reflect your customer's world and how your product improves it.
If they don’t see themselves in your message, they’ll move on.

3. You’re Making the Decision Too Hard

Too many options. Too much copy. Too many buttons.
That’s how decision-making breaks down. And it’s a silent killer for conversion.

When visitors land on your homepage, are you guiding them to take one clear step?
Or are you overwhelming them with choices, features, and links?

Red flags:

• Pages packed with too many plans or product options

• Multiple CTAs on the same screen

• Walls of text with no hierarchy

• No clear “start here” for new visitors

Think about how easy it is to buy from sites like Apple, Notion, or even Airbnb.
They prioritise one goal per page, use white space effectively, and show trust signals early.

Neuromarketing insight:

The brain wants to conserve energy. If there are too many choices or too much complexity, people hesitate or give up.
Clarity leads to action, and simplicity builds confidence.

What to do instead:

• Focus on one CTA per screen. If they’re reading about your bootcamp, don’t also ask them to follow you or subscribe

• Remove extra steps. Fewer clicks and shorter forms increase conversions

• Add visible trust early. Show reviews, user stats, or media mentions as soon as possible

Startup marketing works best when it removes confusion and makes saying yes feel easy.

Where to Go from Here

If your startup isn’t growing as expected, it may not be your pricing, your ads, or even your product.
In many cases, the real problem is how you’re communicating your value.

Marketing that works doesn’t just inform, it connects.
It makes people feel something. It builds trust quickly. And it removes confusion before it gets in the way.

So what can you do right now?

• Review your homepage. Does it look like something people can trust within the first 5 seconds?

• Read your messaging out loud. Does it sound like something a real person would say, or like something built by a team too close to the product?

• Try simplifying your offer. One idea per page. One action per screen.

You don’t need more noise. You need more clarity.
And that clarity starts by thinking the way your customers think.

If you’d like help applying these principles to your own business, let’s talk.

Watch the full video here: 3 Marketing Mistakes

Get in touch for a personalised neuromarketing strategy built to help your startup grow with purpose, precision, and real-world traction.