Marketing Red Flags: Sneaky Habits That Quietly Sabotage Your Growth

Sometimes the stuff holding you back isn’t dramatic or disastrous—it’s just a bunch of small, sneaky habits that fly under the radar and slowly kneecap your growth.

Here are four red flags I see all the time, that we’ve all been guilty of. No shame, just awareness (and maybe a little side-eye).

Red Flag: You’re Talking to Everyone

Translation: You’re connecting with no one.

It feels noble to say “I help everyone!” But if your brand voice sounds like it’s trying to please the PTA, LinkedIn bros, and Gen Z all at once… it’s going to land like a wet napkin.

Pick a lane. Say what you actually mean. The more specific you are, the more people actually listen.

Red Flag: You’re Changing Your Offer Every Month

Reminder: Your boredom is not your customer’s problem.

We get it. You’ve had the same offer for a whole three weeks, and now you’re questioning your life choices. But switching things up constantly doesn’t scream “creative genius” it screams “I’m spiraling.”

Your audience needs time (and repetition) to understand what you do. Give your offer a fighting chance before you throw it into the graveyard of abandoned ideas.

Red Flag: You’re Posting Because You “Should”

Obligation content is bad for business (and your soul).

If your social feed looks like a ghost town haunted by Canva templates and mild resentment… it’s time to rethink. Posting out of guilt or FOMO is not a strategy, it’s a chore.

You don’t have to be “everywhere.” You just have to be intentional somewhere. Post because you have something to say, not because some guru told you to (and this is my promise to never tell you to).

Red Flag: Your Customers Are Confused

If people keep asking what you do, it’s not because they’re dumb.

Your audience shouldn’t need a decoder ring to figure out your business. If you’re getting “So… what is it you actually offer?” messages, take the hint.

Clarity isn't boring, it's respectful. Tell people what you do, who it’s for, and why they should care. Then tell them again. And again. (Welcome to marketing.)

TL;DR

If your growth feels stuck, check for these red flags:

• Your message is too broad.

• You’re switching things up too fast.

• You’re posting with zero joy or strategy.

• Your audience is confused (and over it).

The good news? These habits are fixable. But only if you’re willing to stop doing what looks good and start doing what actually works.