Sometimes, it’s for the very best to face something that makes you feel uncomfortable, and sometimes, that subject just might be your own marketing. Oh yes, you read that right; this subject has probably made you cringe at least once in your life. Yep, we've all been there, scrolling through old posts and wincing at the outdated memes or overly enthusiastic sales pitches. Maybe back then, you were on a tight budget or just didn’t know nearly as much about marketing as you do now.
Needless to say, marketing is tricky, and it's easy to stumble into the realm of cringe without even realizing it. It’s like the equivalent of looking at your old high school yearbook; there’s the whole “what was I thinking,” but when it comes to your business, it’s best not to have to look back and think on this.
Honestly, it’s better not to have others look back on your older stuff and think about that, either! But what can you even do, though? Well, here’s how you can ensure your marketing stays authentic, engaging, and far from cringe-worthy.
Know Your Brand Voice
Now, you need to know your brand voice inside and out. If your brand were a person, how would they talk? Are they formal and professional, or casual and witty? Honestly, understanding this helps you stay consistent and genuine. When you try to adopt a tone that doesn’t match your brand, it comes off as forced and, you guessed it, cringe-worthy. Stick to what feels natural for your brand, and your audience will appreciate the authenticity.
Avoid Jumping on Every Trend
Social media and TikTok trends can be tempting. They’re everywhere, and it seems like everyone is doing them. But just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s right for your brand. Ask yourself: Does this trend align with my brand’s values and voice? Will my audience find it relevant and entertaining, or will it seem out of place? Now, you have to remember that trends come and go, but your brand’s identity should remain consistent.
Stop Thinking You Need to Fit In
This kind of involves what was mentioned above with the trend jumping. You don’t have to worry about fitting in. If you don’t like something, why do it? For example, when it comes to label printing for your business products (whether it be candles, food, clothes, whatever), you don’t have to do what you see everyone else is doing. You don’t have to use the same colors, fonts, imagery, or even similar-sounding names. Copying others and looking too similar is cringey within itself, and it's not authentic, either!
It’s Okay to Learn from the Cringe
So, this circles back to the yearbook bit in the introduction. Now, we've all had those "What was I thinking?" moments when we look back at old marketing efforts. Instead of feeling embarrassed, use these moments as learning experiences. It’s going to be a really good idea to just go ahead and analyze what went wrong and why it didn’t resonate with your audience. Was it the tone, the timing, or the content itself? Learning from these missteps can help you refine your strategy and avoid similar pitfalls in the future.
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