The five worst mistakes you can make as a marketer

We have all been there - rushing to meet deadlines, cutting corners on things in order to meet deliverable dates & feeling as if we have no time at all.

However, as marketers, we owe responsibility - to our customers [both current & potential], to our colleagues [sales, operations, product], and also to our ourselves. Our responsibility is to strive to continuously deliver superior customer experiences. To be honest about what our product shortfalls are, acknowledging unflattering customer feedback, and addressing the gaps between what the market wants, what the customer needs, and what our product offers. 

It is quite possible that sometimes in our hurry to meet expectations, we do end up making mistakes - some of them quite counterproductive. Here's looking at the five worst mistakes you can make as a marketer.

1. I have always done it this way

Marketers need to throw this out the window, right now. This discipline is hurtling at the speed of light, & no marketer can afford to say this. What was cool a few months (weeks, maybe) is no longer in vogue now. Hence any stand that protects the status quo is indefensible.

2. Not making fact based decisions

As we grow older, we tend to make decisions based on experience - not that it is bad. But sometimes, it precludes us from appreciating new perspectives.

Whereas, following an evidence-based approach will help us hone our decision making skills, acknowledging new insights and incorporating new market realities. So supplement your insight with data and evidence, right now.

3. Not sharing your learnings /experience with others

There are many, many marketers who are playing with their cards so close to their chests that it amazes me.

Think back of the time when you were trying to learn a new skill? You would have probably hopped off to the internet to learn something, right. Where would be if certain marketers had not paved the way before us - sharing their experiences, learnings?

Now, I am not asking that we give away our intellectual property or proprietary information for free. All I am asking is for you to help out someone in need.

I myself do this - I write a blog regularly at digitalmarketingconclave.blogspot.com, for early stage marketers. This captures my experiences in learning new things and advice for young marketing professionals. I also conduct sessions at numerous business schools - hopefully, helping someone somewhere making a better marketing decision.

4. Not keeping yourself updated
After completing my masters in business administration with a specialisation in marketing, I thought I had conquered the world, at least from an academic perspective. I thought I was done learning, for a year or two. Even though passive learning was on, I ignored active learning for more than a few years. I learnt how wrong this strategy was, albeit at a price. Never lose sight of how important it is to constantly unlearn and learn continuously, especially in marketing.

5. Leading the change
Some marketers are content in their own set ways - they fear experimentation, and are reluctant to embrace change. As a marketer, you need to lead change - you need to check out new social media platforms yourself, have your own personal branding in place [check out this detailed article on how to create a memorable personal brand] before even recommending it to others. How can you as a marketer extend advice if you are not following it yourself?

Putting it all together
Remedying these mistakes can set you on your path to become a more effective marketer. 

Are there any points that I have missed? Let me know in the comments section below.