Internet Business Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

While in a meeting someone suggested an often seen type of marketing. He said, “Why don’t we send a fax blast with a deal that is too good to be true, then we’ll switch the customer to the real deal.”

Immediately someone said, “That’s immature marketing and will never work.”

That made me think. If there is immature marketing, there must be mature marketing. We talked about it some more and decided that this “immature marketing” wasn’t what we wanted, and here is why.

1. Brand Name
In the world of competition you have to spend money to stay ahead of your competition. You have to spend money to get your brand out, you also have to keep it clean.

Let me give you an example. What is the first thing you think of when you hear “Hawaii”? For me it is beaches. What do you think about when you hear “Nike?” For me it is basketball players and shoes.

Let’s go the other way, what do you think about when you hear “Michael Jackson?”

See how easy it can be to go from good brand recognition in a good way to a bad way? It doesn’t take a long time, it just takes some immature marketing.

2. Short term profits
Another downside of immature advertising is that profits are temporary. You may make a few dollars and make a lot of people upset, but you’ve made a few dollars right? Wrong. By dragging your name through the mud and associating your company with this type of advertising you will forever stigmatize your name. Just ask Michael Jackson.

3. Potential for lawsuits
Although your marketing idea may not be a bait and switch tactic, if it even resembles bait & switch or false advertising, be forewarned, the court system is made up of real people who don’t like immature marketing.

From now on when considering the latest and greatest advertising fad, think about this: How will it affect your brand, not your bottom line profits.