By Bhagyashree Singh, Founder – Merakii Group
In my journey of building campaigns for over a hundred brands across industries—real estate, retail, tech, F&B, health, and D2C—one question I get asked often is:
“Where do most brands go wrong in marketing?”
My answer is always the same:
They market to impress, not to connect.
Let’s break this down.
1. Mistake: Performing for the Industry, Not the Audience
So many brand campaigns today look like they’re trying to win awards—not customers. Beautiful visuals, clever taglines, expensive influencer shoots—but no relevance to the target consumer’s life, emotion, or problem.
✅ What to do instead:
Stop performing. Start solving.
Your campaign should feel like a conversation, not a performance.
2. Mistake: Copy-Pasting Trends
Brands often fall into the trap of mimicking what’s trending—because it’s “safe” or “viral.” The result?
They become forgettable.
Trends are short-lived. Brand values are timeless.
✅ What to do instead:
Build your own trend. Anchor your strategy in your brand’s voice, not someone else’s.
3. Mistake: Talking Too Much About Themselves
Most brand communication sounds like a monologue:
“We are the best.”
“We offer the finest quality.”
“We are trusted by millions.”
The truth?
No one cares—until you make them feel seen.
✅ What to do instead:
Flip the lens. Talk about the customer. Their fears. Their aspirations. Their identity. Then show how your brand fits into that story.
4. Mistake: Confusing Visibility with Connection
Spending crores on ads, hoardings, and influencer shoutouts is not marketing. It’s noise—unless it’s backed by a story and strategy.
✅ What to do instead:
Don’t just push your product. Pull people into your purpose. Make your brand memorable through emotional touchpoints and real value.
5. Mistake: Not Investing in Brand Building Early
Many startups and mid-sized businesses skip long-term branding, believing it’s a luxury. They chase short-term sales but struggle with customer retention and loyalty.
✅ What to do instead:
Invest in brand identity, voice, and trust early. Your brand equity is your biggest marketing asset in the long run.