Most marketing tactics that big names tout require one thing you don't have:

Brand awareness.

For example, generating backlinks by capitalizing on brand mentions that don't have a link.

But that requires other people who are already talking about you.

And when you're a startup, getting PR isn't that easy.

Plus, getting the right PR almost never comes cheap.

But, you need it.

You need it if you have any hopes of attracting large investors, fast sales, and evangelical brand supporters.

And if you have any dreams of breaking out of the startup phase.