9 MARKETING MYTHS TO STOP BELIEVING
27 May 2024
Written by Omneya Nabil
As marketers, it’s not enough to adopt and adapt to new tools or platforms.
We have to look at changing trends and insights.
We have to constantly question our strategies and beliefs.
We have to embark on a journey of continuous learning and unlearning.
I’ve done this. And it’s interesting to see how some of my initial ideas about marketing have changed—simply because I chose to keep an open mind and heart.
Here are nine marketing myths I once believed but have since reconsidered.
1. If you build it, they will come
Early in my career, I used to believe that a good product alone would attract customers. But experience has taught me that even a great product can go unnoticed without strategic marketing.
2. Marketing is just advertising
When I first started out, I thought marketing was advertising. Seriously. Now, I understand it’s actually a holistic process that starts with market research, continues through customer engagement, and goes beyond just selling a product.
3. More traffic equals more success
At one point, it was all about the numbers for me. However, I’ve learned that quality engagement, rather than volume, is key to converting and retaining customers.
4. Consumers make purely rational decisions
I once underestimated the emotional aspect of consumer decisions. Today, I appreciate how emotion and logic work together to affect consumer behaviour, and how storytelling resonates more deeply than features and benefits alone.
5. Social media is an informal marketing tool
I used to view social media as a less serious, more experimental marketing platform. Over time, I’ve come to recognise it as a crucial channel for brand building, customer engagement, and direct sales. Basically, it requires as much strategy as traditional media.
6. The customer journey is linear
I had always imagined the customer journey as a straightforward path from awareness to purchase. Today, I understand that it’s often non-linear and multifaceted, with multiple touchpoints and influences that can shift directions at any time.
7. Short-term campaigns are the key to quick wins
I used to focus on campaigns that promised immediate results. Now, I see the value in long-term strategies that build sustainable relationships and brand loyalty over time. Consistency and patience in marketing often yield the most rewarding outcomes.
8. High-quality content alone is enough
There was a time when I believed that simply producing high-quality content would ensure engagement and conversion. But I’ve learned that creating excellent content is not enough. It must also be effectively promoted and precisely targeted to reach the intended audience.
9. Over-personalisation is always better
I used to think the more personalised the campaign, the better the response would be. However, I’ve come to realise that too much personalisation can sometimes feel intrusive to consumers. You need to strike a balance between personalisation and privacy to build trust and loyalty.
Over to you. Have your marketing beliefs changed over time? Join the conversation by visiting the original post on LinkedIn.