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GTM News Desk

Startup Growth Expenses, Network Effects, and NDRs

Discover how network-first strategies, trust, and engineered network effects are redefining go-to-market approaches and driving sustainable startup growth.

 

You Don’t Need a Product—You Need a Network: Go-to-Market Is Getting Rewritten in Real Time

Forget product-first. Forget channel-first. The new era of GTM is network-first—and if you’re not building trust before tech, you’re already behind. This week’s GTM NewsDesk breaks it down with brutal clarity.

Summary:

Nick Bennett and Mark Kilens tear into the myth that “anyone can build a business” just because AI makes company setup frictionless. Sure, spinning up an LLC is easier than ever—but growing one? That’s a whole different game. What separates the winners? The network. From VCs to early customers to dormant LinkedIn connects, it’s about who knows you—and who’s willing to vouch for you.

Segment two dives into network effects: what they actually are (hint: not just viral loops) and how to design them into your GTM strategy. Whether it’s community, co-marketing, or product-led invites, durable growth comes from engineered trust, not brute force.

In segment three, Mac Reddin of Commsor drops the GoToNetwork playbook: reverse referrals, layered content, and “give-before-you-take” tactics. His thesis? Introductions are currency. You’re not building a funnel. You’re building an ecosystem—and short-term thinking is killing long-term companies.

🧠 Takeaways:

  • AI made launching easy—but distribution is the real moat.

  • Network effects lower CAC and boost retention. Design for both.

  • Great marketing isn’t loud; it’s trusted and repeated.

  • GoToNetwork means building people-powered leverage before product perfection.




EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

 

 

 

Mark Kilens

Mark Kilens

Mark Kilens is VP of Marketing at EasyLlama and Founder of TACK. TACK modernizes how businesses go-to-market using its proprietary People-first GTM Model. He previously was CMO of Airmeet, VP of Content and Community at Drift, and VP of Marketing and founder of HubSpot Academy. When he’s not working, Mark enjoys plenty of steak and lobster, a round of golf or two, and loves being on snow or in the ocean.

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