Marketing tactics will continuously evolve as new technologies become available. Not only do tech and new programs affect how you can market, trends do as well. That’s why minimalism is currently all the rage. It’s why the iconic “millennial pink” is everywhere. People opt for what is familiar, but simply copying what everyone else is doing is not how you create brand loyalty and how you gain repeat customers. You need to be unique, but you need to be consistent. You need to stop making these five marketing mistakes:
- Using Shock Tactics
In a way, this tactic is the result of the algorithms that many of the social mediums have adopted. Shock tactics are further adopted most often by individual influencers than by brands, but regardless should always be avoided. Shock tactics can, of course, get your name out there, but they can also cause public opinion to turn against you. The media love to destroy brands, because it’s good for their business. Shock tactics might get your name out there, but it can also finish you.
- Working the Hard Sale
Putting all your money and advertising budget into the hard sale is a huge mistake. Customers hate to buy online or purchase a service from someone they do not know or trust. That is why you should instead try for the soft sale. It’s a lot easier to get an email address from a sign up than it is to get a sale. Once you have that email you can use marketing automation to further develop your relationship with that consumer. What is marketing automation? It’s the ability to personalize email chains to boost customer loyalty and reward repeated purchases.
- Ignoring SEO
The best way to get new business is to be at the top of Google’s search results. People trust Google, and they trust its results. That is why a third of users will select the first result. SEO is more permanent than pay-per-click, and it can keep organic page visits coming again and again.
- Ignoring the Potential of Video
Video is huge. Augmented reality is combining with the power of video to offer even more marketing opportunities. Generally, however, creating video content is the way forward. You need to ensure that it is professional (both live and published). You also need to be aware that many people on their mobiles and even their desktops will watch videos that they come across on social media on mute. Add text subtitles to ensure that your content gets watched, instead of passed over.
The biggest mistake any brand can make is to not be committed to its marketing strategy. From how it is perceived, to the goodwill it does, to its advertising, and even to its social media strategy. You need to follow trends, yes, but you need to do them in a unique way. Quality is the way forward, and it is how you will grow a community of loyal and repeat customers.
