11 Marketing Tactics That Seem Helpful But Can Hurt Your Brand

While it’s definitely true that there are some genius ways to market your new brand, you really need to keep in mind that there aren’t too many shortcuts. Sure, even if you want to save a ton of money, there just aren’t any shortcutes to avoid that. Basically, the only shortcuts there are involve magically going viral, getting a free celebrity endorsement, or having unlimited funds for marketing and PR.

But the reality is, all of those are rare (and it doesn’t guarantee results either). So, when it comes to marketing a new business, it’s easy to get caught up in shortcuts or trendy tactics that promise quick results.

After all, who doesn’t want to see their brand blow up overnight? But here’s the catch—some strategies might seem like a fast track to success but can actually do more harm than good in the long run. These tactics might boost visibility for a moment (or give an illusion of success), but they can also damage credibility, hurt engagement, or even get a brand blacklisted. But what are all of these exactly? Well, let’s dive into some of these deceptive “quick fixes” and why they’re best avoided.

Buying Fake Followers for Social Media

Now, sure, it sounds like a tempting shortcut—buying a few thousand followers to give a brand’s social media accounts a boost and make them look popular right from the start. But those fake followers aren’t real people, and they’re not going to buy anything, engage with posts, or spread the word about the brand. So, in the long run, it’s all just a numbers game that offers no actual value.

What’s even worse is that social media algorithms can detect fake engagement and may penalize accounts for it, causing posts to appear less frequently in people’s feeds. A lot of people call this “shadow banning, and this could very well happen to you.

So, instead of looking like a fast way to grow, buying followers can actually limit the reach and hurt genuine engagement. Plus, if real users catch on, it can damage a brand’s credibility and make it look desperate.

Buying Fake Engagement for Social Media

This one goes with the above, but it does deserve its own little section, too. So, similar to buying fake followers, paying for likes, comments, or shares on social media might give the illusion that a brand is popular. But fake engagement is just that—fake. You need a community in order to build up a business, and an army of fakes just won’t do the trick.

So, it doesn’t build meaningful relationships with customers or foster genuine interest in what a business has to offer.

So in the long term, it can even affect how algorithms distribute content. Social media platforms aim to show people content they care about, so if the engagement isn’t coming from real people, the algorithm may assume the content is irrelevant. This can result in posts reaching fewer people over time. Not to mention, potential customers who notice spammy comments or repetitive likes from fake accounts may feel turned off.

Starting Drama for Attention

This one sounds way too ridiculous, right? Well, the thing is, it can actually happen! So, these days, it’s not unusual to see business owners stirring up drama on platforms like TikTok for a bit of buzz. Maybe it’s calling out customers, shaming competitors, or airing grievances online; it might seem like a quick way to gain views and followers. However, this kind of attention often comes with a downside.

Sure, the drama might grab people’s attention temporarily, but it can also create a negative image for the brand. Instead of being known for a great product or service, a business becomes known for being confrontational or unprofessional. That’s not exactly the kind of reputation that builds long-term trust and customer loyalty

Responding Negatively to Comments and Reviews

When negative comments or reviews come in, some businesses might feel tempted to clap back or respond in a snarky way. The thought behind this is to show that the business is “human” or “relatable.” But the reality is that it just looks unprofessional and can discourage potential customers from engaging. That's not something you’re going to want.

Plus, negative responses to criticism can give the impression that the business can’t handle feedback or isn’t open to improving. Instead of adding fuel to the fire, brands should take the high road, respond politely, and use negative feedback as a chance to show excellent customer service.

Using AI-Generated Content

While sure, the rise of AI tools has made it easier than ever to generate content, like written posts, images, or videos. Sure, AI-generated content can save time, relying too heavily on it can do more harm than good. For one, AI content often lacks the authenticity and personal touch that resonates with audiences. It can come off as robotic, generic, or even downright awkward if not carefully edited.

In the long run, brands that overuse AI-generated content risk losing their unique voice and failing to connect on a personal level with their audience. People want to feel like they’re interacting with real humans, not just a computer program. So many businesses are making this mistake, and it's really going to look bad on you!

Plagiarizing or Using Duplicate Content

Copying content or using the same material across different platforms might seem like an easy way to keep up with posting schedules, but it can have significant consequences. So, you need to keep in mind that search engines like Google can penalize websites for duplicate content, which can negatively affect search rankings.

It really doesn’t matter if this is content that you write; if you’re still using this and duplicating content, you’re still going to be penalized by search engines. So, don’t steal from others, don’t even bother rewriting your own stuff (you can still get penalized), and don’t bother with content spinning, either. It’s much better to focus on creating original content that genuinely represents the brand’s voice and adds value to the audience.

Chasing Trends Instead of Being Authentic

You might already know this, but it’s still important to just recognize it. So, trends come and go, and it’s easy to fall into the habit of hopping on every new one in hopes of going viral. But if a brand’s marketing is purely trend-based, it starts to lose its authenticity. Not every trend will align with the brand’s values or messaging, and following trends for the sake of staying relevant can come off as inauthentic or gimmicky.

So, you should really just aim to incorporate trends that genuinely fit their message or audience but always stay true to their core identity. Overall, consistency builds trust, and in the long run, being known for a unique voice will do more for a brand than constantly changing to follow the crowd.

Overusing Filters and Editing

Okay, so editing photos and videos to look polished is one thing, but excessive use of filters can make a brand come off as inauthentic. Now, this, is especially true when it comes to showcasing products or giving behind-the-scenes glimpses of the team, people want to see the real deal.

But why is this even a big deal though? Well, over-editing can make products look different from what they actually are, leading to customer disappointment when reality doesn’t match the picture. So it’s important to strike a balance between editing content to look professional and maintaining an authentic appearance. Plus, customers appreciate honesty, and showing a more realistic image can foster stronger connections.

Choosing Influencers Based Solely on Their Following

While it’s definitely true that working with influencers can be a fantastic way to promote a brand, but partnering with the wrong ones can backfire. Thats really where do many brands tend to get it all wrong! 

Now, just because an influencer has a massive following doesn’t mean their audience aligns with the brand’s target demographic. If the influencer’s content has nothing to do with the brand’s niche, the partnership may come off as inauthentic and forced.

So, in the long run, choosing influencers who genuinely connect with the brand’s message and values will lead to better engagement and a more authentic promotion. At the end of the day, it’s not about reaching the most people—it’s about reaching the right people.

Doing What Everyone Else Is Doing

It might seem safer to follow what other businesses are doing, especially if they’re getting good results. But you really need to keep in mind that simply copying competitors isn’t a recipe for long-term success. Yes, you read that right! So, what works for one brand might not work for another, and doing the same thing as everyone else can make a brand fade into the background.

You need to understand that standing out often means taking risks, being original, and doing things differently. While it’s fine to take inspiration from others, putting a unique spin on things or finding a fresh approach is what truly helps a brand shine.

Using Clickbait Tactics

If you’re someone who loves watching videos on YouTube, then you’re probably more than familiar with this. Now, it might seem clever to use sensational headlines or exaggerated claims to get people’s attention, but clickbait can backfire quickly. When customers feel tricked or deceived, they lose trust in the brand.

Now there are a lot of brands out there known for this bad behavior who are barely surviving nowadays, with Buzzfeed actually being a great example of this. People don’t want to feel like they’re being baited into content that doesn’t deliver what it promised. It’s better to set realistic expectations and offer genuine value.