4 simple marketing mistakes setting your business back

It’s more important than ever to be at the top of your game. In order to succeed, as we emerge from the aftermath of the pandemic, businesses need to keep pushing through marketing and getting themselves out there.

However, many businesses are making simple mistakes that are setting their efforts back. For instance, according to Google, almost 70% of successful companies say that inbound SEO is their highest quality source of leads. However, for businesses overlooking the value of SEO in their strategies, they’re missing out on all of these potential opportunities.

Businessperson of the year 2020, Sarah Kauter, is the CEO of multi-award-winning marketing and PR business, Verriberri. Having worked in the industry for almost 12 years, she is well acquainted with the fundamental do’s and don’ts of the marketing world. Here, she shares her advice on the kind of marketing mistakes business owners are making, and how to solve them.

You Don’t Have a Plan

As a business owner, first on your list should be a marketing plan of some sort. Time and time again, business owners are left overwhelmed with the realisation of the sheer amount of marketing needed to put their business on the map. The time just isn’t available when the day to day running of a company is on your shoulders. As a result, marketing takes a backfoot and the growth of the business is hindered.

Break it down into sections and do your research. A defined list of business goals can help you target your marketing strategy. Taking a look at your competitors and their successes can also give you an indication of what could work for you.

If marketing isn’t your line of expertise, then stick to what you know and find an agency that can help you with marketing. If you’re not sure where to start, finding a reputable marketing agency will be an invaluable investment to your business. Book a few consultations so that you can find the perfect marketing match for your company. This can also help you gain a better understanding of what your business could benefit from and what kind of budget you’re looking at.

You’re Trying to Appeal to the Wrong Audience

This is an extremely common mistake and unfortunately one that can deter good business. Sometimes, companies can be so focused on who they want their customers to be, that they aren’t acknowledging the clients they actually have.

Listen to customer feedback and really get to know your target demographic; you can look at a wider audience further down the line. This easy and simple market research can really help you on the road to success. New customers are important, but so are the ones who have already purchased with you. Repeat customer have fewer barriers to overcome before using your services, because they have trusted your business before. Keep in mind that a misread of audience could cost you uncounted amounts of revenue.

Lack of Social Media

In today’s ever-changing digital society, a social media presence is paramount. If done well, it’s a steadfast way to push you to the forefront of a wider demographic and consequently, increase your revenue. Surprisingly, one of the most frequent mistakes that set businesses back is the complete absence or a lacklustre presence on social media. This mostly comes down to lack of experience.

Consider the platforms most appropriate for your brand. With over a billion monthly users, Instagram is often a good place to start for many businesses. There is a common misconception that you should be posting all the time on these channels. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you want your content to gain maximum exposure, posting at specific times when social traffic is high will hugely benefit the engagement you receive. Make sure your content is effective and keep in mind that any images you use reflect directly on your brand.

Additionally, using fresh and relevant hashtags is a brilliant way of getting your business noticed by the right people. Users can follow and engage with specific hashtags to stay updated on a current trend and creating good visibility will enhance the success of your branding. Essentially, social media is used to connect and converse. If people are talking about your brand, acknowledge it! Engaging with current consumers and potential customers will only play to your advantage.

Put the Work into Your Website

Just as important as social media, a professional looking website can make a huge difference when it comes to sales. However, one of the easiest marketing mistakes to make is the belief that once the website is set up, the work is done. Just like your social media, it must be nurtured consistently for effective SEO.

If your website doesn’t look inviting, and the content isn’t clear and concise, potential customers will not stay on it for long. This will negatively impact your SEO. The goal is to be seen as the ‘go to’ expert in your field. If you want to be seen as reputable, your content must be relevant to the common searches, informative and easy to navigate. User friendly pages will encourage readers to engage with your page, people won’t stick around to read between the lines.

Every business Is different, there isn’t a guaranteed formula that works for everyone. Take the time to evaluate your marketing strategy today. Knowing where to start and what easy mistakes to steer clear of is the first step to helping you on your marketing journey.

For more information on multi award-winning marketing and PR agency, Verriberri, please visit https://www.verriberri.co.uk