The task of encapsulating what you stand for via the perfect marketing message is a daunting challenge. You need to appeal to your target demographic by creating a clever statement that encompasses your brand’s identity and clearly conveys what you can offer.
Many businesses have the tendency to compromise their goals in creating this all-important message. The message can become too boring— and sometimes buried or lost, by focusing more on the business’s agenda and less on the customers’. At worst, a business can even alienate the very audience it is trying to court.
But the real question here is: Would you rather be remembered as an epic fail or something wonderful?
Social media marketing can be a minefield of terrifying traps seemingly designed to keep you from the wonderful. So, here’s a bit of disaster prevention for you; a list of some of the more typical social media marketing fails you’ll want to dodge while you’re building a reputation for your business online.
Messaging is Lost In Transition
The problem with most US-based businesses is once the message goes international, not enough thought is paid to how the intent will translate, literally or figuratively. This can result in a marketing campaign that lands with a resounding thud on foreign shores. In more extreme cases it can even be offensive.
For instance, when Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) launched its first franchise in China, the famous slogan “Finger-lickin’ good” was accidentally translated to “We’ll Eat Your Fingers Off!” which certainly frightened customers.
Source: http://9gag.com/gag/6564095It may sound great in one language, but if translated mechanically and without cultural context, it can be fatal for your business.
Another example is when Coors translated a slang phrase “Turn It Loose” into Spanish, which turned out to be an expression that meant “Suffer from diarrhea.” For that, Coors left a unintentional and perhaps unforgettable mark on its Spanish audience.
And Parker pens got the attention of their foreign female customers when the popular slogan, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you,” was translated for a Mexican ad as “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
Source: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/fact-fiction-international-expansion-blunders-listNot Humanizing Your Message
Don’t forget who it is you need to hear your message. To generate a message with impact, you’ll need to understand how it can be meaningful to your target audience. You want to create a “pull.” Building a connection with your prospects is way better than simply handing them the information, right? By doing so, you let them figure out how your products and services can be valuable to them.
From The Nielsen Global Survey of Trust in Advertising, it was cited that a high number of respondents resonate more to humorous (47%) advertising messages, closely followed real-life situations (46%).
Source: http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/reports/2012/global-trust-in-advertising-and-brand-messages.htmlGood Deed Gone Bad
Another thing brands should avoid is using charity or any tragic event as a promotional opportunity. Exploiting cancer, AIDS, poverty or sensitive issues can only put a dent on your reputation.
It is utterly wrong no matter what angle you choose. There should be an adequate application for sensitivity.
Sources: https://www.facebook.com/lowcostholidays, https://www.facebook.com/papajohns, https://www.facebook.com/DurexAT&T also felt the “burn” when they tweeted a post regarding the 9/11 tragedy. It wasn’t well-received by their followers and caused them to delete the post. The same goes for Kmart, after sending a tweet meant to pay respects for the Newtown shooting incident in which they mistakenly [and shamelessly] plugged a promotional hashtag #SMH.
Sources:http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/atandt-removes-apologizes-for-911-tribute-tweet/2013/09/11/6d8f8806-1b06-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/kmart-newtown-tweet-2012-12
http://www.complex.com/tech/2013/07/internet-fail-history/celeb-boutique
Of course, it also pays to be attentive if you’re going to use trending topics. Celeb Boutique committed an embarrassing fail when they connected a trending hashtag with their same-named product, apparenntly unaware that it was about the Aurora shooting.
Not Being Sensitive Enough
Highlighting gender differences can be a funny way to create loyalty for your product. However, if not executed with the right amount of sensitivity, that approach can have the opposite effect.
One harsh post from the Abu Dhabi distributors of Subaru recounted a terrible accident and attributed it to women. It clearly wasn’t a brilliant idea, so they apologized after being heavily criticized by social media users.
Image Sources: https://www.facebook.com/subaruemirateshttps://www.facebook.com/BayRidgeAutos
Using Social Media Features Incorrectly
Since the dawn of social media marketing, countless companies have attempted to get exposure via social media sites. Some have been successful, some, not so much…
Reddit’s “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) wreaked havoc when Academy Award Nominee Woody Harrelson hosted one— and it remains infamous in Reddit history. Apparently, the users weren’t happy with Harrelson’s AMA chat and got the impression that the movie star was just using the site to market his project. Collective criticisms were aimed at Harrelson and his upcoming movie.
Source: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/p9a1v/im_woody_harrelson_amaHashtags Gone Wrong— When McDonald’s Twitter campaign, #McDStories, meant for users share nostalgic memories and experiences in McDonalds, it took an unexpected turn when users started to share unfortunate and horrific tales instead.
Source: https://twitter.com/search?q=MCDstories&src=typd&f=realtimeYou know there is something bad bound to happen with Automated Tweets/Responses. An infamous example is when AmericanAir replied to every tweet even unpleasant ones, consequently blurring sincerity and attentiveness on customer feedback.
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-will-respond-to-every-tweet–no-matter-how-offensive-2013-2To sum it all up, one of the keys to building—and maintaining—a successful brand is knowing and catering to your audience. The truth is, there’s real potential to do crash-and-burn damage in every marketing campaign. However, taking the time to get to know who you want to reach, what you want to say, and how it will be best received, can help you get your message out while avoiding any dents or dings to your image.
