From social media mastery to smart hiring: Essential lessons from iStart Rajasthan's workshop

Imagine a vibrant ecosystem where aspiring entrepreneurs are equipped with the tools and knowledge to transform their innovative ideas into successful businesses. This is the vision behind iStart Rajasthan, an initiative by the Department of Information Technology and Communication, Government of Rajasthan.

iStart serves as a comprehensive platform that fosters innovation, creates jobs, and facilitates investment, making it easier for startups to thrive in a competitive landscape. By providing access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and a network of investors, iStart is dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit across the state.

iStart Rajasthan recently hosted an engaging workshop in Udaipur that focused on two critical aspects of entrepreneurship: leveraging social media for business growth and effective hiring strategies for small startups. The event brought together enthusiastic entrepreneurs and students eager to learn from industry experts. The workshop featured two insightful sessions led by prominent speakers: Shivani Soni, Co-Founder, Beyoung, who discussed social media strategies, and Shruti Kaushik, Founder, Wise Mango, who shared her expertise on hiring practice.

From memes to dreams: Scaling your startup on social media

In her session titled "From Memes to Dreams: Scaling Your Startup on Social Media," Soni emphasised the critical role that social media plays in building and scaling a startup. She began by sharing her own journey of establishing Beyoung, a fashion brand that aims to provide affordable yet aspirational clothing to consumers in Tier II and Tier III cities.

Soni highlighted the importance of understanding one’s target audience and selecting the appropriate platforms for engagement. For instance, she pointed out that while Instagram is ideal for showcasing fashion products, LinkedIn may be better suited for educational content. She encouraged entrepreneurs to conduct competitor analysis and stay updated on market trends to remain relevant.

A significant part of her talk focused on leveraging influencer marketing effectively. She recounted Beyoung's collaboration with content creator Bhuvan Bam, which not only enhanced brand visibility but also fostered community engagement. “If your content is not creating a community… then it’s just a visual,” she remarked, emphasising the importance of relatability in content creation.

Soni concluded her session by outlining three essential elements for success: knowing your customer, developing engaging content, and maintaining consistency across platforms. Her insights provided practical strategies for harnessing social media as a powerful tool for startup growth.

Hiring 101: How small startups can compete for top talent

In the second session titled "Hiring 101: How Small Startups Can Compete for Top Talent", Kaushik shared her expertise on effective hiring strategies tailored for small startups. She began by discussing the common misconception among founders regarding needs versus wants in hiring. “Aim for milestone-based hiring,” she advised, stressing that startups should prioritise hiring based on immediate business needs rather than long-term aspirations.

Kaushik outlined four key aspects of hiring: when to hire, cultural fit versus experience, budgeting, and onboarding. She emphasised that startups should focus on hiring for growth rather than merely increasing headcount. According to her, growth involves scaling the business effectively through strategic planning.

A notable point she made was regarding the types of hires; she cautioned against relying solely on interns or professionals without a clear understanding of their roles. “Don’t hire someone who is just using the tool; hire someone who knows 20 tools and how to use them,” she stated, highlighting the necessity for versatile skills in a startup environment.

Kaushik also discussed the role of technology in hiring processes, advocating for the use of AI and SaaS tools to streamline operations while maintaining quality. Onboarding new hires effectively was another critical component she addressed; she recommended establishing mentorship systems to ensure smooth integration into company culture.

In conclusion, Kaushik emphasised that effective hiring strategies are crucial for small startups looking to build strong teams despite limited resources. Her practical insights resonated with attendees eager to attract top talent in a competitive market.

The iStart Rajasthan workshop in Udaipur served as an invaluable platform for entrepreneurs and students alike to gain insights into essential aspects of running a successful startup. By focusing on social media strategies and effective hiring practices, participants left equipped with knowledge that could significantly impact their entrepreneurial journeys. The event highlighted iStart's commitment to empowering Rajasthan's startup ecosystem through education and community engagement.