The Inbound Growth Blog

The Inbound Growth Blog covers all topics relating to an integrated marketing strategy. We write about inbound marketing, social media, integrated marketing strategies and the sales process.

More Cringeworthy Digital Marketing Moments

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Posted by John Beveridge on Feb 9, 2014 6:00:00 PM

KeefThe modus operandi for my blog has and always will be to help owners and managers of SMB companies grow their companies. This one's different. This one's for me. I posted an article a few months back titled, "How Not To Do Inbound Marketing - 5 Cringeworthy Tactics To Avoid." In that same vein, today's post is a rant a la Dennis Miller about things that I've seen so far in 2014 that annoy the living s%$t out of me. Hopefully, you'll indulge me for this one article; I'll be helpful again next time. Forgive the snark and with tongue firmly in cheek, here's what's bugging me.

1. Please stop using the term "rockstar" in your marketing and job postings.

It's becoming trite and annoying. It sure doesn't make you look hip. It seems that most people that use this term have One Direction in mind when they think of a "rockstar." Keith Richards is a rockstar. He shoots heroin, carries a switchblade with him and throws television sets out of hotel room windows. He also does stuff like this:

 

Believe me, you don't want Keith Richards on your sales team. You can't hit your quota when you're nodding out. So please stop using the term "rockstar" in your marketing and job postings.

2. Please stop pitching lame guest blog posts to me through my Contact page.

I appreciate that you're a "long-time fan of Rapidan Strategies" and that you "admire (my) blog", but I'm not going to publish a competitor's lead generation material on my website. You must not think that highly of me because you appear to think I'm an idiot. So thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I guess you're using the Contact page because every spam filter on the planet will block your emails. And remember the 5 most important words to keep in mind when you're selling to someone: what's in it for me?

3. Please stop posting self-congratulatory updates on social media.

This may come as a surprise to you, but no one cares how many profile views you had today or about that new client you just landed. In fact, the new client is probably not going to be thrilled about being mentioned before you've done anything for them. So stop sharing that information to the world. It doesn't make you look like a "rockstar", it makes you look weak and insecure. Instead of patting yourself on the back, maybe trying posting content that helps solve problems your target audience faces.

4. Just because you have a Facebook account doesn't mean you're a social media expert.

Seriously, do you know anyone who isn't a LinkedIn expert (and selling a related service or book?) Ask them what makes them an expert. Do they have certifications in social media or inbound marketing? If you're going to call yourself an expert, get certified. You can get certified by HubSpot for free. I'm not performing surgery in my spare time because I didn't graduate from medical school.

Before you hire one of these so-called experts, ask them:

  1. What certifications and training they have.
  2. To show you how they've generated leads, customers and increased brand recognition for their own business with social media.

I guess in the valley of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

sumall_ecommerce_broadcast_megaphone

Wow, that feels better. I'll be less cranky next time, I promise.

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