Are you committing poor, bad or selfish marketing...?

Poor, bad, or selfish marketing practices can have detrimental effects on confidence, progress, and desired outcomes, ultimately impeding growth for individuals and businesses alike.

Firstly, ineffective marketing can erode confidence in the brand or product being promoted. For example, if a company consistently delivers misleading advertisements or fails to fulfill promises made in marketing campaigns, customers may lose trust and confidence in the brand. This loss of confidence can lead to decreased sales, hindering progress and growth.

Secondly, poor marketing strategies can stall progress by failing to generate desired results. For instance, if a business invests in outdated marketing tactics that no longer resonate with the target audience, they may struggle to attract new customers or retain existing ones. Without effective marketing efforts, businesses may find it challenging to achieve their growth objectives.

Oh and as for selfish marketing practices, then the focus is solely on "ego" and maximising profits without considering the needs or interests of the target audience, and this can also impede growth. For example, if a company prioritizes pushing sales over providing value to customers, it may lead to negative perceptions and a decline in customer loyalty. This selfish approach can hinder long-term growth and sustainability.

To overcome these challenges, individuals and businesses must identify the root causes of their marketing shortcomings. This involves asking critical questions and recognising the symptoms of their own poor, bad or selfish marketing.

They should also seek help to develop and implement effective marketing strategies. This may involve consulting with marketing experts, conducting market research, or investing in training and development to improve marketing skills.

Ultimately, by acknowledging and addressing poor, bad, or selfish marketing practices, individuals and businesses can regain confidence, make meaningful progress, and achieve the desired results in their marketing efforts.

Here are a number that I see many individuals make on a regular basis. See if you recognise any that you or your colleagues are guilty of and might want assistance in fixing, solving or addressing:

I see many small business owners doing such as…

1. taking too much or give too much instead of agreeing a value exchange from the outset during their 1-2-1s, sales calls, conversations, and appointments.

2. are in such a financial mess, that pride, ego and fear of failing is preventing them from trying new things and testing new approaches to try and better the situation they are in

3. connect with people on LI because they think their photograph is attractive. (Worse still, leaving suggestive messages for them to read. Oh no! You don't do you?)

4. leave testimonials for people expecting a testimonial in return. (I rated you good, so now rate me - no. no. no. that's not how it works.)

5. Don’t know what “MarTech” is or do not have an automated marketing technology platform in place to help streamline operations and maximise ROI

6. Have a LI Profile that focusses too much on their dog, cat or which motor vehicle or cast member of The Matrix they are and not how they can specifically help others.

7. Have a LI profile that doesn't qualify the people that visit and whether they fit the criteria of an ideal client. (Criteria that you can offer to your advocates to generate even more referrals)

8. doing an amazing amount of work for free for people who don't return the favour or honour their promises and people end up questioning whether it's you (believe me, it's not you!).

9. so concentrated on being nice, getting liked, they're forgetting why they're on a business networking site to help grow their business.

10. Use less than 5% of the features on this amazing platform, because they got so much business, they're eating steak every night for dinner – yeah right

11. not writing any posts to demonstrate their knowledge, wisdom, positive or negative experiences in their life, craft or field and sharing the lessons learned

12. Many are too serious, too "literal", too "square", need to slacken your tie, get laid, get drunk, or just learn to laugh at themselves now and again. Learn to have fun!

13. They don't test different headlines, subject lines or status updates, in fact they don't use any of the linkedin apps for they ?think they’re a complete waste of time

14. They haven't revisited their business model, costs or customer journey since the start of the Covid Pandemic and are wondering why they're not achieving their goals.

15. All they do at 121s is talk about what they know, what they have and what they do, taking up to 80% of the meeting focussed on themselves instead of the other party

16. Many simply don't follow up people who visit their profile for fear of being told you are a spammer or snake oil salesman. How many profile visitors have you followed up today?

17. They don't both to get dressed professionally for their zoom calls, or google meet calls.

18. They don't embrace people by phone via Linkedin having done a targeted search to find a prospective client that meets their avatar and ideal client profile. Daft innit ;)

19. Many are simply happy with mediocre results, don't know their current cost per lead, cost per sale, life time value of a customer or their current return on advertising spend.

20. They're very insular in their networking, and work in a very tight clique, or posse, only mixing and networking with the same small circle of people and wonder why their network isn't growing, and why it doesn't work.

21. Many appear to know everything there is to know in their field apparently and are not open to new skills, knowledge, contacts or opportunities, worse - they haven't written a book, delivered a keynote, webinar or been a guest panelist at an industry summit.

22. They don't write persuasive or engaging sales copy, and can't afford the industry rates to hire a copywriter so never experience breakthrough results with signups or registrations.

23. They don't have a welcome video on their LI profile or list the types of prospects they can help or what the next steps are to take if someone is interested in speaking to them.

24. They hate it when hard working, proactive people get off their butt & try to help others, because they know they should instead of looking to see who they can persuade to work for free.

25. They haven't taken a strategic step back regarding their sales approach, don't know how many steps they have in their sales process and still don't have a structured methodology to help keep them in control on sales calls online, on-site or on the phone.

26. When they do, it's not to constructively offer their input, wisdom or experience or help with regards to the topic being debated or discussed.

27. Many goto events, feeling stressed, unsure or tense (even doubting ) whether to follow up the people they connect with or not, because they have a fetish for collecting business cards and just love staring at their collection endlessly

28. Many people online lurk and do nothing, others wondered what whilst other individuals take responsibility, get proactive and are generating results. Which one are you...?

29. They think that their referral network will bring them all the leads they need and they dont have to get off their butt themselves - some do think that ;)

30. Many think video marketing is for Generation Zs who have fake tans, drive a porsche and own a private island - no, its now the norm :)

31. You may have changed your mobile phone, laptop or TV in the last 2 years, but not invested in the latest marketing technology to help you reduce costs & increase ROI.

32. Many judge everyone by the size of their own ego, by the political games they play, the gossip they spread, and generally don't really want to help others.

33. They think they know how to sell on Zoom, Messenger or Skype, but instead prefer to spend money, lose 3 hours travelling and return with no sale

34. Many judge people by their own negative perceptions and outlook on the world, instead of embracing them when you have a specific problem, and then judging them

40. Many think they're not attending enough 121s in starbucks, hotel receptions and private members clubs cos that's where people are having meetings (about having meetings).

41. Many think getting something for FREE or a one hour 121 will solve all their problems, without having to give anything of equal or greater value in return. Sad, but true.

42. Many think that the "feast or famine" period will pass, and when it comes back, it will pass again, and again, and again.

45. Many think that despite having had no new clients for 4 months, their savings, bank or partner will continue to be positive, supportive and always be there for them.

46. Many keep doing the same things, that are evidently not working, but they still expect different results each time they do them (Insane or what?)

? 47. You haven't yet actually experienced an Instant Breakthrough on www.itstacksup.com

48. You feel bad, low, depressed, angry, frustrated, stressed even resentful towards others who appear to be making a go of and testing new marketing approaches to their advantage49. You don't fully appreciate the true value of what you offer, and how much people out there and on here actually NEED what you offer, and you struggle to find those people

49. Many are kicking themselves for having not signed up to a FREE Webinar?HERE, whilst others are thinking its the best thing they've done in the last 2 years.

50. You're still mistrusting, distrusting and fearful of AI and martech, are not intertesting in saving time, money or stress and having AI helping you to do the jobs you hate, don't have time for or simply don't want to do.