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Most business owners recognise that marketing their brand is more important than ever. After all, competition is fierce in the current day and age, and so it is vital to do all in your power to stand out from the crowd. However, you are going to struggle to make waves if you are making one of the common mistakes mentioned below…
Ignoring the competition – While you should not simply copy the competition, this does not mean that you should just ignore them either. You need to assess what your competition is doing so you can determine what they are getting right and where they are going wrong. Of course, you will want to avoid the latter. However, if you spot something that they are doing that is having success, you will need to incorporate this into your branding strategy. This does not necessarily mean that you need to copy it. You can use it for inspiration and then tweak it to suit your business and your consumer base. If you can take what the competition is doing right and then improve on it, you’re on to a winner.
Not knowing when to outsource – You don’t need to outsource all of your marketing efforts, but there are certain aspects that are certainly best left to the professionals. A good example of this is packaging. If you sell any type of product, packaging can be the main difference between your products being left on the shelf or being placed in customers’ baskets. You can’t afford to take a risk like this, which is why professional guidance is a must. Click here for more information. When determining whether to outsource or not, you need to factor in which approach is going to be the most cost efficient, as well as determining whether or not you have the capacity to do the job in-house, and do it well.
Overlooking the power of word of mouth marketing – Word of mouth marketing is just as pivotal as it has ever been, even in the current digital age. Think about it: are you more likely to choose a company because you have seen an online advert or because someone you trust has recommended them? This highlights the importance of referrals and focusing on your loyal customers, as well as your new ones. After all, if you provide a great service to your existing consumer base, they are going to be likely to recommend you to the people they know.
Refusing to try new marketing activities – You are never going to get anywhere if you remain stagnant. The best businesses are those that are willing to try something new to take their marketing efforts to the next level. The marketing landscape is one that is ever changing, and the only way you are going to promote your company successfully on a consistent basis is to stay in tune with these changes and adapt your marketing activities accordingly.
Using social media the wrong way – The power of social media cannot be underestimated. However, there are many companies that are not using social media effectively. The first thing you need to do is determine the best platforms for your business to feature on. You cannot merely sign up to every social media account. After all, this will take up too much of your time, and you will struggle to make a big impact. Instead, you need to determine what social media accounts your consumer base is using. Once you have done this, you then need to structure your posts effectively. Don’t merely post an endless stream of promotional messages. Social media is not about this. It is about building strong and loyal relationships with your consumers. You can do this by posting competitions, talking about topics related to your business, and answering your consumers’ queries.
Being unclear about what makes your company different – The secret to your success if that your business is different from the rest. You may think that it is not, but it is. After all, your company is not going to be identical to another. Therefore, you need to determine what makes your business different, and this is what you need to focus on. If you do not identify what sets you apart from the competition, you will struggle to make an impact. Creating a unique selling proposition is a must.
Not having a marketing plan – Last but not least, this is one of the biggest mistakes businesses could make, yet a lot of owners are guilty of making it. Trying to promote your company without a marketing plan is like shopping for a new pair of shoes while wearing a blindfold over your eyes. Yes, you could get lucky and end up picking out some shoes you like, but the chances are you are simply going to waste a lot of money and time in the process. Every business needs to have a marketing plan. It does not matter what industry you operate in, who your competition is, the size of your company, or anything else – a marketing plan is a must!
If you are making any of the mistakes that have been discussed in this blog post, it is important to put the steps in place to rectify them. We all make mistakes in life and in business, but it is how you learn from them that matters. From putting together a marketing plan to using social media in a more effective manner, once you make a few changes, you are bound to notice a positive impact in terms of increased interest and more leads.
