Unless you find yourself currently in an awkward position or headed for a bad situation in the near future and your not really sure why that is.
Well, you found your way to this blog, so that’s definitely a step in the right direction!
Here we will go over some very basic yet very crucial advertising flaws that sometimes even the industry titans overlook,things you might not have anticipated and are most likely the cause of your unfortunate situation, but even if your in a good place with your business, it’s still a good idea to go through this blog so you are prepared for what is to come in the near future.
So without further due let’s get down to it, shall we?
Mistake 1: Not having a business plan with a strong foundation
When you are starting a business, one of the biggest mistakes that people make is going for broke with no solid business plan, that is, they have an idea of what the business will be about, who they want to target, what their goals are etc.
However, they have nothing founded on paper, no solid backing or investment plans or long-term paperwork sorted out, like loans and how to pay them back. Instead, they just jump right in and passionately pour in all their saving, and when it doesn’t work out or they hit an unexpected hurdle, everything collapses.
So before you even set foot in the ocean that is advertising and marketing and opening your business for the world to enjoy, you need to sit down and plan every single, excruciating detail.
Mistake 2: Making the message all about your brand
We understand that as a new business, you are excited to get the word out to the world about how great your product is, how unique and special your services are and how revolutionary your business is, but you might want to put on the breaks for a second.
People simply do not care.
They don’t care how great your services are, or how unique what you’re selling is. They are flooded on a daily basis by millions of sales pitches from posters, to billboard ads to TV commercials that invade their very living space.
All they want to know is how it will benefit them, and how much they can save on it. That is what your message should be about. Give them that and they will give you the reach you’re longing for.
Mistake 3: Not fixing your sites on a particular target audience
Most commonly make this mistake without even realizing the consequences of it – targeting the product or service at a general audience instead of a narrow or specific crowd.
The reason most people go for that generalized advertising approach is that they want people to know they are diverse and that marketing to all members of society will make them more likable or some logic along those lines.
The truth of the matter is, if you are marketing to all, you might as well market to no one. Without a specific target audience or a niche group, you are not specializing in your services, you will just be another brand floating in an ocean of corporations, faceless and forgotten.
So define yourself and get to targeting a specific clique, specialize and refine your approach day by day, this will help you stand out!
Mistake 4: Not making use of an appropriate color scheme
An ad can’t just be some catchy slogan and some random pallet of colors that you throw at the design and hope it works. One needs to be aware of the fact that each and every color has its own individual identity, and this is especially true when it comes to advertising.
Every single color has a unique and powerful effect on the end result of how customers perceive your ad and how they act on these feelings. So as a professional in the field, you need to select a pallet of colors that will convey the message that is appropriate for your product or service.
Do it right and you will not only catch their eyes but convince them to invest in your brand, all by selecting the right combination of pigments!
Mistake 5: Not using high-resolution images
How many times have you seen a low-resolution image on a banner or poster? That grainy, blurry picture that just made you want to look away. Exactly, that is exactly how your audience would feel if you used the same dull, unclear picture for your ads.
So keep it sharp and the results will speak for themselves.
Mistake 6: Not using every medium at your disposal
Each medium has its own set of advantages that it can offer your business. Print engages people thanks to its in-build and long-standing history that creates a sense of trust, digital appeals to the new generation and allows a vast network of connectivity, and outdoor advertising offers a great range of creative opportunities.
The mistake lies in thinking that using just one of them is enough when trying to set up a business on a large scale. Using every medium at your disposal gives you not only the diversity of the audience, give you a much wider reach!
Mistake 7: Choosing the wrong publication
While we are on the topic of making use of every medium, it is important to keep in mind the fact that not every facet of every medium is for you, nor should it be, because as we discussed earlier, you need to have a specific target audience and since that is the case, you need to select the right method to reach them.
If you are targeting the older generation, say around 60 plus, then you are going to reach them by digital as much as you would by print, and even then you need to watch who you publish with. I mean they won’t be reading the latest issue of ‘Men’s Health’ magazine anytime soon.
You would have a better chance if you went with a newspaper or flyer. So yes, its the little details like that you need to watch out for.
Mistake 8: Giving copy little to no value
Yes, that brilliant design and eye-catching picture are important, in fact, they are crucial, but that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the value of a few lines of lettering and what it can contribute to your business.
The visuals will get their attention, but a good slogan or copy will convince them and close the deal for good if done right. It’s like a little sneak peek into the product or service that gives them some insight without revealing too much, enticing them to come back for more and more, time and again.
Mistake 9: Using an outdated website
If you advertise something on a poster, billboard or even on social media, you want your customers to have easy access to the products so they can purchase at their own convenience. An easy purchase equals a happy customer, so a good website is key to help that process along.
Don’t use an outdated website where the customer has to spend more than 10 seconds searching for the products, as this will lead to them losing interest. So liven it up, make the website vibrant with colors, make it interactive, and most importantly, make it simple & fast so they don’t feel like its too much effort to navigate.
Mistake 10: Going into business without being able to deliver
Now onto the last point, if you plan to open a business and you have all your angles covered. For the sake of argument let’s say that you are on point with everything and are expecting a great deal of business to come your way very soon.
The biggest mistake above all would be to go forward and find out that you don’t have the capacity to provide and keep up to the level of demand that is coming your way. If you don’t correct that in the early stages, that’s going to be the end of your business as you know it.
So plan out everything and make sure you have the means to keep up with the level of business that you know you can draw in, but most importantly, make sure you don’t take on more than you can handle.
Rather wait till your business grows, and has more infrastructure, enough that it can support you moving forward and evolve with your vision for the future.
Conclusion
Well, there you go! Everything you need to know to get your business up and off the ground and keep it going in the long run. Now that you know all this, get out there and use this knowledge to your advantage.
Let us know in the comments if these tips were helpful, and how you plan on approaching your business plan.
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