These Mistakes Cost Brands Millions

Hey,

We need to talk about something that’s holding a lot of brands back.

I see brands making the same marketing mistakes over and over ever. No matter how much the industry evolves, these slip-ups happen all the time.

And the worst part is that they cost brands millions in lost revenue, wasted ad spend, and disengaged audiences.

What do you think is the biggest marketing mistake brands make over and over?

Here are some of the most common ones I have seen:

1. Selling Too Soon Instead of Building Trust

Ever walked into a store, and before you even take two steps inside, a salesperson is already pushing you to buy? It feels intrusive, right?

That’s what many brands do with their marketing.

They go straight for the sale without building trust. Whether it’s aggressive ads, cold emails with no context, or social media posts filled with BUY NOW CTAs, it’s a turnoff.

Take Gymshark, for example.

Being a billion-dollar fitness apparel brand, Gymshark didn’t start by aggressively selling products. Instead, the team focused on building trust through influencer partnerships, workout content, and community engagement.

They made people feel like they were part of a movement before they ever pushed a sale. Now, compare that to brands that flood your inbox with discount codes before you even know who they are.

Huge difference, right?

Great marketing nurtures. It educates, entertains, and builds a relationship first.

The best brands don’t sell because they make people want to buy.

2. Ignoring Retention and Chasing New Customers

Acquiring a new customer can cost 5-7X more than retaining an existing one.

Yet, many brands pour all their resources into new customer acquisition while completely ignoring retention. What happens next?

• They spend thousands on ads, but customers don’t return.

• Their competitors, who focus on loyalty, win in the long run.

• They burn through budgets without building a sustainable revenue stream.

Starbucks is one of the best examples here.

Starbucks doesn’t just sell coffee but keeps customers hooked with its rewards program. The more you buy, the more stars you earn.

It means free drinks, exclusive perks, and priority access.

This turns occasional buyers into lifelong fans. On the other hand, many brands treat every sale like a one-night stand instead of nurturing a long-term relationship.

They ignore email sequences, don’t follow up, and let customers slip away.

Retention marketing, like email sequences, loyalty programs, and personalized follow-ups, is where the real money is. Wise and experienced brands invest in keeping their customers happy so they don’t have to fight for new ones daily.

3. Copy-Pasting Trends Without Understanding the Audience

Trends can be powerful.

But when brands blindly copy them without understanding their audience, it backfires. I see 10 different reels at 10 different angles with the same ad concept and music.

Think about brands jumping on TikTok trends that don’t match their brand voice. Or companies suddenly using slang to sound “cool,” but it just feels forced.

Pepsi’s Infamous Kendall Jenner Ad fits the best here.

In 2017, Pepsi released an ad featuring Kendall Jenner solving social justice issues by handing a police officer a Pepsi. The internet immediately tore it apart.

It was a classic case of a brand hijacking a trend (activism) without understanding it. The backlash was so intense that Pepsi had to pull the ad within 24 hours.

Now, compare that to Nike’s Colin Kaepernick campaign, which also tapped into social issues but felt authentic. Nike’s audience resonated with it because the brand had a history of standing for athlete empowerment.

Audiences see right through inauthenticity. Instead of chasing trends, smart marketers adapt trends to fit their brand and ensure they align with their audience’s values.

Now, Let’s Settle This Once and for All…

You have seen my take. Now I want your hot take.

Hit reply and drop your pick (or rant).

The most insightful responses will be featured in next week’s email with a shoutout!

PS. If you have seen a brand make a genius marketing move recently, share that too!

Let’s highlight some wins.

Let’s get the conversation going!