Postscript: Revolutionizing E-Commerce Communication with SMS Marketing
Company profile
Company business details
Problem that their product solves
Postscript solves the problem of ineffective customer engagement in e-commerce, particularly in the context of declining email marketing performance. The end users are e-commerce businesses, especially those using Shopify, who need to communicate with their customers effectively to drive sales and enhance customer retention. Solving this problem is crucial for these businesses to remain competitive and improve their ROI.Their unfair advantage
Postscript's unfair advantage lies in its focus on the e-commerce niche, particularly Shopify users, allowing it to tailor its features and marketing strategies specifically for this audience, which enhances customer engagement and retention.Strategies
Pre-Launch (Product Development & MVP)
Customer Validation through Direct Engagement
Before launching their product, the founders engaged directly with potential customers to validate their idea. Adam reached out to a friend in the e-commerce space and asked if he would pay $50 a month for a text messaging service to communicate with customers. This initial conversation confirmed that there was at least one customer willing to pay for the service, which provided the confidence to move forward with development.
Core Product Focus
Alex Beller, co-founder of Postscript, emphasized the importance of focusing on a core product and user base during the early stages of the company. They decided to concentrate solely on SMS marketing for e-commerce brands using Shopify, which allowed them to build a powerful solution that met specific needs. This focus on a niche market helped them avoid distractions and develop a product that truly excelled in its domain.
Identifying Market Opportunity through Personal Experience
Before starting Postscript, Alex Speller and his co-founders worked at a large e-commerce company where they noticed a decline in email engagement and an increase in mobile traffic. They recognized the need for a mobile-first retention channel, which led them to explore SMS as a marketing tool. This insight was sparked by their direct experience with e-commerce trends and customer communication challenges, ultimately guiding them to develop a solution that catered specifically to e-commerce stores.
Launch Stage
Leveraging Organic Growth
During the launch stage, the company experienced significant organic growth without heavy marketing spend. Even when the product was not fully functional, users were eager to sign up and try it out. This organic traction was crucial as it demonstrated market interest and provided a foundation for future growth, allowing the founders to focus on product improvements while building a user base.
Live Chat Support
In the early days of Postscript, the founders implemented a live chat widget on their website and within the application. Whenever a user submitted a chat, it would ring all three founders' cell phones, prompting them to drop their current tasks and assist the customer immediately. This hands-on support not only provided exceptional customer service but also allowed the founders to gather valuable feedback, which they used to improve the product and enhance user satisfaction. This strategy significantly contributed to their early growth through word-of-mouth referrals.
Learn more about Postscript
From Door-to-Door Sales to Raising Over $100M | The Story of Adam Turner (Founder, Postscript)
How to Scale Up When You’re Stuck Between Early and Growth | Postscript, Alex Beller
