START YOUR MARKETING ENGINE: A FOUNDER'S NO-BS GUIDE TO YOUR FIRST CRITICAL MARKETING HIRES

Perfect for: early-stage founders, technical founders, and startup executives looking to formalize their marketing efforts and build a scalable team

Hiring your first marketing lead is a pivotal moment for any startup - but figuring out who to hire, when to hire, and what skills you actually need can be overwhelming. 

This session will cover the critical aspects of making your first marketing hires, including:

• What specific marketing skills and experience to prioritize based on your business model and growth stage

• When to hire in-house versus working with a fractional CMO or contractor

• How to write a compelling job description that attracts the right talent

• Salary ranges and budget expectations for different marketing roles in the Boston startup ecosystem

• How to evaluate marketing candidates even if you don’t have marketing expertise

You will gain insights into structuring a progressive marketing team, setting realistic performance expectations for new hires, and identifying early warning signs that a hire isn’t working out. Panelists will share real-world hiring wins and mistakes, equipping you with actionable frameworks to make confident marketing decisions.

STOP LURKING, START LAUNCHIGN: LET AI SUPERCHARGE YOUR LINKEDIN FOR GROWTH & FUNDING

Perfect for: founders, marketing professionals, sales leaders, and business development executives looking to build industry credibility and secure high-value connections on LinkedIn

LinkedIn isn’t just a social network- it’s a strategic growth engine for startups. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll build a customized AI agent that captures your unique voice to produce authentic, high-impact content tailored to your business goals, whether that’s securing partnerships, raising capital, or driving sales.

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This workshop will guide you through:

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• Designing an AI agent that captures your expertise and produces authentic, high-impact content

• Creating a content strategy that drives specific business outcomes, including fundraising, partnerships, and customer acquisition

• Identifying LinkedIn content formats and storytelling frameworks that maximize engagement with minimal effort

• Setting automation boundaries to maintain authenticity while scaling your reach

Statistics reveal that LinkedIn posts created with AI support achieve a 6.85% median engagement rate - compared to 6.22% for posts without AI assistance - highlighting how AI can optimize your content for better performance and drive growth on the platform.

BRING BACK THE BROCHURE: HOW OLD-SCHOOL TACTICS ARE DRIVING MODERN DEALS 

Perfect for: founders, marketers, and business development professionals seeking to maximize trade show and marketing ROI on a startup budget

Maximizing your presence at trade shows and through traditional marketing channels like flyers, brochures, and direct mail can drive significant business growth - even with limited resources. 

This session will cover key strategies for getting the most out of your marketing investments, including:

• How to strategically select trade shows and direct marketing efforts based on business goals and budget constraints

• Pre-show and pre-campaign research and outreach tactics that lead to high-quality conversations and leads

• Creative booth alternatives, on-site activations, and marketing materials that grab attention without premium sponsorship costs

• Building a follow-up system that maintains momentum and converts conversations into deals

You will gain insights into building a scalable, cost-effective marketing strategy, using AI and automation to streamline outreach and follow-up, and developing creative, memorable brand experiences that continue delivering value long after the event or campaign ends.

TINY BUT MIGHTY: HOW MICRO-INFLUENCERS ARE DRIVING BIG WINS FOR STARTUPS

Perfect for: early-stage founders, D2C startup leaders, B2B marketers, and content managers looking to scale customer acquisition through authentic, scalable influencer strategies

Did you know that 82% of consumers are more likely to follow a micro-influencer recommendation than a big-name influencer? Micro-influencers have become a powerful yet underutilized tool for startups looking to drive authentic engagement and customer acquisition without large budgets. 

This panel will feature industry experts from across the influencer ecosystem, sharing actionable insights on:

• Identifying and evaluating micro-influencers who align with your brand

• Crafting cost-effective influencer partnerships at different startup stages

• Structuring agreements to drive business outcomes and authentic content

• Measuring success beyond vanity metrics and optimizing ROI

• Leveraging influencer-generated content across multiple channels