Marketing myths can get your business in a whole lot of trouble in this a complex and ever-changing field. It’s full of myths and misconceptions that can be dangerous to your small business. It’s no secret that marketing can be a complex and daunting task for small businesses. With so many marketing myths and misconceptions floating around, it can be hard to know where to start. Today, we’ll debunk some of the most common marketing myths and explain why they’re wrong. Get started on the right path to successful marketing by exploring these myths:
Marketing Myth #1 –“I don’t need marketing; I already have enough business.”
Well good for you, but what happens when business slows down? You’d better be ready for it along with a well-planned, continuous marketing strategy to enhance your business when times get tough. Just because you’re doing well now doesn’t mean you won’t hit a rough patch at some point. A marketing plan can help you weather the storm by keeping your brand in front of customers and reminding them why they should do business with you. So don’t be so quick to write marketing off as unnecessary – it could be the key to keeping your business afloat during tough times.
Marketing Myth #2 –“Marketing is easy” …
said no marketing expert ever. But it’s something we hear all the time. Marketing is a commitment. It encompasses a multitude of analytics to be considered. Good marketing is a subliminal strategy with lasting effects. There are specific guidelines for every medium and if you don’t know them, you could be hurting your business. For example, let’s say you’re running an ad on Facebook. You want to target people in your area who are interested in your product, so you set the target age range to 25-49 and want the ad to reach people to within 5 miles of your business. What you don’t realize is that there are only 500 people who fit that profile. Conversely, the marketing expert will do research to identify your target, their interests, how far they may drive to you, income, and maybe even a more cost efficient medium for you.
Marketing Myth #3 – Some people might say that marketing is a waste of money.
The truth is marketing is essential for any business – even if you don’t realize it. After all, marketing is anything that helps to promote your business, from your business cards to your website to the sign on your frontage. While you don’t need to invest a huge amount on marketing, you should allocate a portion of your budget to it.
For example, do you have a sign on your frontage? A voice message when customers call? Or a business card? Anything with your name on it is marketing. The key is to make sure that everything has a consistent theme. Otherwise, how will customers know about your business? Where will they find you? Do they know what you do? A little bit of marketing goes a long way. So, make sure you’re doing everything you can to spread the word about your business – it’ll be worth it in the long run.
#4 – “Advertising is marketing.”
No. Advertising is part of a marketing strategy, however there is so much more to it. Many business owners often see advertising as the be-all and end-all of marketing, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. In order to really make an impact, you need to have a well-rounded marketing strategy that includes other important elements like SEO and social media outreach. Studies show that it takes a potential customer at least seven “touches” before they’re even aware of your brand. If you’re relying solely on advertising, you’re likely falling short. Make sure you’re putting equal effort into all aspects of your marketing, from SEO to social media, to give yourself the best chance of success.
#5 – “What we do, sells itself.”
This is a popular saying in the business world, but it’s not always accurate. You may have the best product or service in the world, but if your competition is marketing themselves better than you are, they’re going to get the customers. People can be fickle, and even the slightest thing can cause them to take their business elsewhere. For example, if you run out of product due to a manufacturing delay, your customer may find it easier to buy from a website. Or if an employee responds rudely to a customer, that could be enough for them to switch to another company. It happens.
We all know about Disney, so why do you think they continue to spend millions of dollars on marketing every year? Because they want to stay top of mind with their customers. Marketing is important because it helps you build brand awareness, connect with your target audience, and drive sales.
So there you have the five major marketing myths. While marketing is often seen as a complex and daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. With the right plan in place and an expert to guide you, even small businesses can see amazing results. At Firewall Branding, we specialize in creating strategic marketing plans for small businesses. We also write unique content for blogs and social media posts to help increase your business profile and reach new customers. If you need help getting started with your marketing efforts, contact us today for a free consultation. We would be happy to discuss your needs and create a plan that helps you achieve your goals.
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