Marketing Do’s and Don’ts: A Guide to What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Marketing can feel overwhelming, especially with so many different strategies, platforms, and expectations. Successful marketing comes down to what works—and what doesn’t. Here are 5 dos and 5 don’ts that help us at Within Your Reach Marketing to make things quick and easy as you get started. 

Do: 

1. Identify your brand voice 

How do you want your brand to be viewed? What do you want the first thing for people to think about when they see it? You only have one first impression, and that can easily set you up for success. What’s more important is knowing your audience. What demographic are you aiming to reach? If you are trying to reach an older audience, you should consider posting to Facebook, printing magazines, or sending direct mail. To connect with younger generations, you should engage in Instagram, TikTok, popular streaming platforms, and even a website. 

2. Be consistent 

Having a consistent posting schedule on your website or social media platforms not only helps you keep that brand voice, but it also gives your audience something to look forward to. It also keeps you relevant, up to date, and shows trust and loyalty. Inconsistency can show unprofessionalism and may cause you to be forgettable. A great example of this is updating your content once a month, or creating blog posts to keep your audience engaged. These leave a lasting impression on your audience, so they know you are always available when they need you. 

3. Engage with your audience 

Communication is one of the most important skills in marketing. When you engage with your audience, you build trust, show that you care about their needs, and create a stronger connection to your brand. Staying consistent with your communication also encourages interaction not only between you and your clients but among clients themselves, which makes your platforms a space for community and conversation. 

4. Plan ahead 

Planning ahead is as simple as that. It keeps you on track and always one step ahead of the game. It guarantees that you stay on schedule, relieving stress, and giving you more time to perfect your work. Procrastination is never fun, so using a calendar or having that set schedule to hold yourself accountable is always a good idea.  

5. Focus on the benefits and value of a service 

Rather than only talking about what your company does, use your marketing to give clients a full picture of your business and show them the ways it can meet their needs. Creating that full picture not only highlights your value but also creates opportunities to expand your business. 

Don’t: 

1. Post too much, too often 

While it may seem necessary to post as often as you can, too much content can overwhelm your followers. It is best to post on social media 3 times a week, mixing video and static content to keep your audience engaged without flooding their feeds. This helps build stronger long-term connections. 

2. Share client content without permission  

Sharing content is an excellent way to partner with other brands. However, sharing someone else’s content, whether that is a video, graphic, or photo, you should never do it without permission. Not only does this break trust and risk spreading incorrect information, but it can also be a legal issue. Using another creator’s intellectual property without consent is against the law, and if caught, you could face major penalties. Always tag and credit the original creator when sharing. Tagging the original creator should be done as well. 

3. Don’t assume you’re an expert 

Marketing is always changing. There is always going to be something new to explore, learn, and create. Make sure you always leave room to grow, so your company can grow alongside you. As always, we encourage you to learn as much as you can but also remember to continue learning.  

4. Go off-topic 

Keeping your content fresh and relevant will continue to bring loyal clients back, and new clients in. Staying on top of the latest trends and popular media will get people invested and help you to stay in touch.  

5. Get discouraged by competitors  

Look at competitors as a challenge to constantly improve and stay sharp. Use them as motivation, or on the other hand, connect with them! Healthy competition is never a bad thing. They are always going to be around, so it is up to you whether they hold you back or push you forward.