5 marketing mistakes to avoid as a new brand
There's a *lot* to think about when you're launching a new brand.
Here are some common mistakes I see new brands making, and how you can avoid them!
1. Skipping brand strategy.
If you're about to launch but you haven't yet addressed your brand strategy, turn around and go straight back to start! Brand strategy is the most important step because it provides a roadmap to your entire brand identity & digital presence. Without it you risk an inconsistent brand identity, an unclear marketing message, and lack of direction in your content & social media marketing.
2. Set it & forget it.
“If you build it, they will come” simply does not apply here. So you've launched your website & social media channels — you can't expect people to just show up! You need a way to promote them, and a plan to keep that promotion going consistently. Make sure you have a strategy to stay on top of marketing even when business is busy.
3. Posting on the fly.
It's not a great approach to create your social media accounts without a plan and just expect that you'll figure out what to post as you go. Just like your brand strategy, you need to think about who exactly you're talking to, where you can reach them, and how. Without a social media strategy your posts will lack direction — and your followers can tell!
4. Posting on the wrong platforms.
No brand needs to be on every single social media platform. Not only would you be spreading yourself too thin, but you'd probably be wasting time talking to the wrong people. Similarly, if you're only on one platform you're probably leaving opportunities to connect with your audience on the table. Figure out where your audience is and meet them there.
5. Being inauthentic.
Don’t fall into the trap of showcasing the persona you think you “should” display based on what everyone else is doing. People can smell inauthenticity a mile away — it’s a real turn off! Look back at your brand strategy: what’s right for you and your specific audience? When in doubt, aim for authenticity.
The main takeaways on how to avoid these mistakes:
Get crystal clear on who you are as a brand, your business goals, and who your audience is.
Make a plan to execute that’s realistic and manageable, and stick to it.
Remain authentic to *your* brand identity and audience.