Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Free Tools
  • Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • We’re Hiring!
You are here: Home / Branding & Marketing / 5 Biggest Marketing Mistakes in Small Business and How to Avoid Them

5 Biggest Marketing Mistakes in Small Business and How to Avoid Them

June 30, 2014 By Melinda Emerson 1 Comment

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

5 Biggest Marketing Mistakes in Small Business and How to Avoid ThemMost small business owners aren’t marketing experts, and many simply aren’t aware of how to build and execute an effective strategy. But whether you know a little about marketing or nothing at all, being aware of some of the most common marketing mistakes can help you avoid them.

1. You Put all Your (Marketing) Eggs in One Basket

You love Twitter, and so you’ve made it your primary — scratch that — only marketing channel. You’ve forsaken other tools like blogging, other social sites, press releases, and advertising for this one marketing channel.

But what happens when your audience leaves Twitter? Will your business shrivel up and die? It’s better to diversify your marketing efforts to reach a wider audience and get your mix of customers coming from different channels. That way, if and when one tool goes out of favor (MySpace, anyone?) you won’t have to scramble to rethink your marketing.

2. You’re Not Marketing

Business is good, and so you don’t think about what you’ll do when customers stop coming in. You convince yourself you don’t need to market your business, because you have plenty of it.

Marketing isn’t an activity you perform for right now; it’s one you do for the future. So while business is booming now, if you market now, you’ll keep it booming long into the future. Continue your marketing efforts so your brand stays in the spotlight permanently.

3. You Don’t Know What You’re Doing, But Do it Anyway

You don’t really have a grasp of how businesses use social (or blogging, PR, or anything else) but you give it a shot. And so you’re filling your social profiles with self-promotion and links, and wonder why no one’s following you.

An uneducated marketer is a dangerous one. Fortunately, there are plenty of blog posts, websites, webinars, and consultants to help. Pick a few resources that fit your budget (don’t worry; free is definitely an option here) and bone up on what you need to know to build a smarter execution and strategy.

4. You’re on Every Social Site

If there’s a new social media site out there, you’re on it. The problem is, your customers aren’t. You’re likely wasting a great deal of time updating your status on sites that simply don’t appeal to your audience.

Go for depth rather than breadth here. Find 1-3 sites your customers do spend time on, and focus your efforts there. Deliver so much value on these few sites that people rush to click Like or Follow.

5. You Don’t Measure Results

What’s all your marketing for if you have no idea if it’s generating leads or sales? You’ve got no excuse; social media platforms have analytics built in. Google Analytics is free. You have the ability to see how every blog article, Tweet, and ad brought (or didn’t) new customers to your door.

Figure out what’s working and do more of it. Eliminate what isn’t sending traffic and customers to you.

While you don’t have to be a marketing guru to successfully market your business, you do need to see the bigger picture and have a clear-cut strategy in place. Then you’ll find a quicker path to your customers and grow your business.

“Off Target Shows Aiming Mistake” courtesy of Stuart Miles / www.freedigitalphotos.net

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Filed Under: Branding & Marketing Tagged With: small business marketing

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social selling, and online marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. Clients include Amazon, Adobe, Verizon, VISA, Google, FedEx, Chase, American Express, The Hartford, and Pitney Bowes. She also has an online school, www.smallbizladyuniversity.com, that teaches people online marketing and how to start and grow a successful small business and publishes a blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner

Sign up for the SmallBizLady BUZZ Newsletter and be the first to receive updates and details about upcoming events:

We’re proud to be part of the Mediaplanet Empowering Small Business campaign! The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardship and ruin on the nation’s small businesses, but there’s now reason for hope. Learn about the resources, support, and tools available to help your small business bounce back and grow stronger than ever by picking up a copy of the campaign in USA Today and reading it online here.

Get a FREE Chapter of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded"!

Become Your Own Boss

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

Bloomberg News Interview
How to Support Small Businesses During the Holidays

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference

Fox 29 Philadelphia
'Small Biz Lady' gives best advice for starting a new business in the New Year

Fox Business
Starting a Business

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Turn Your Divine Gifts into a Business with Michelle Kopper

In this episode, Melinda Emerson engages with Michelle Kopper to explore her entrepreneurial journey and how she overcame fear to succeed. Michelle delves into the role of divine gifts and spirituality in business, offering insights into integrating personal beliefs with professional goals. The conversation addresses imposter syndrome, providing strategies for validation in the market. Michelle […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

Recent Posts

  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Turn Your Divine Gifts into a Business with Michelle Kopper
  • How Smart Nonprofits are Building Recession-Proof Revenue Streams
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Mitch Axelrod, Dr. Dan Young, and Rich Trotter
  • 50 Best Free Apps for Small Business Owners
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

Products

Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025
Quintessence Entertainment, Inc
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner