Breaking Up with Bad Habits: 10 Marketing Mistakes to Leave Behind

Written by: Lauren McKinney

It’s not you, it’s… your marketing strategy. If your brand isn’t getting the love and attention it deserves, it might be time for a breakup—with your bad marketing habits, that is. Like an ex who just won’t text back, these mistakes are holding you back from bigger and better things.

Let’s grab some ice cream (or, you know, a strong marketing plan) and say goodbye to these 10 marketing mistakes once and for all.

1. Ghosting Your Audience 👻

Ever subscribe to a brand’s emails, only to never hear from them again? Don’t be that brand. Consistency is key in marketing. If your customers only hear from you when you want something (like a sale), they’ll start swiping left.

Fix it: Create a content calendar to stay on track with regular blog posts, emails, and social media updates. Need help? Madison+Main can help you plan a whip-smart social strategy that really drives results.

2. Posting Without a Purpose 📌

Throwing random posts on social media and hoping they stick is like texting an old fling at 2 a.m.—desperate and ineffective. If you’re posting just to post, you’re missing out on engagement and strategy.

Fix it: Every post should align with your brand’s goals, values, and audience interests. Think quality over quantity—if it doesn’t add value, skip it!

3. Clinging to Outdated Trends 📟

Are you still using outdated jargon and tactics that scream 2005? If so, it’s time to move on. Marketing evolves fast, and what worked a decade ago (or even last year) might not work today.

Fix it: Stay on top of trends with a dedicated creative team – like the one at Madison+Main, so you can keep your brand fresh and relevant.

4. Talking About Yourself Too Much 🗣️

Ever been on a date where the other person won’t stop talking about themselves? Annoying, right? The same applies to your brand. If your messaging is all “me, me, me,” customers will tune out.

Fix it: Focus on how your product or service benefits them. Your customers should be the main characters—your brand is just the helpful sidekick.

5. Ignoring Mobile Users 📱

If your website still looks like it was designed for a desktop from the early 2000s, we’ve got a problem. Mobile users make up a huge portion of online traffic, and if your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing out.

Fix it: Make sure your site is responsive and loads quickly. According to Google Business, 53% of mobile users leave a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load.

6. Sending Bland, Generic Emails 📧

“Dear Valued Customer” is the marketing equivalent of a breakup text that says, “We need to talk.” If your emails feel robotic, your audience won’t feel connected to your brand.

Fix it: Personalize your emails with names, tailored product recommendations, and engaging content. Campaign Monitor has great insights on email personalization, and we can help you send the kind of message you want your clients or customers to see!

7. Ignoring SEO (A.K.A. Making It Hard to Find You) 🔎

If your brand isn’t showing up on Google, it’s like throwing a party and forgetting to invite your guests. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) ensures people can actually find you when they search for relevant topics.

Fix it: Focus on keywords, create high-quality content, and get backlinks from reputable sites. We’re not trying to brag but we speak internet– and we can help you optimize your web presence in every way.

8. Skipping Out on Video Content 🎥

Video isn’t the future—it’s now. If you’re not using video in your marketing, you’re missing out on major engagement.

Fix it: Start small with Instagram Reels, TikToks, or short product videos. Need convincing? Wyzowl reports that 91% of businesses use video as a marketing tool because it works.

9. Overcomplicating Your Message 🧩

Ever read a marketing tagline that made you go, “Huh?” If your messaging isn’t clear, your audience won’t stick around to decode it.

Fix it: Keep it simple, straightforward, and customer-focused. Test your messaging with real people before launching it. If they don’t get it, neither will your audience.

10. Forgetting to Measure Results 📊

Marketing without tracking results is like going on a road trip without a map—you’ll probably end up lost (or broke). If you don’t analyze what’s working, you can’t improve.

Fix it: Use tools like Google Analytics and Hootsuite to track engagement, traffic, and conversion rates. Then, adjust your strategy accordingly. When you work with Madison+Main, we provide detailed analytics on all our marketing efforts to our clients, so you can turn “Whats the ROI?” into “Now that is WOW.”

Time for a Fresh Start

Breaking up is hard to do, but when it comes to bad marketing habits, it’s necessary. The good news? You’re now free to build a smarter, stronger, more effective strategy. And if you need a little marketing therapy, Madison+Main is here to help.

Let’s leave those bad habits in the past and make your brand irresistible. Give us a call at (877) 623-6246 or reach out via our contact form. Your marketing glow-up starts now! 💔➡️❤️