What to Stop Doing in Your Marketing This Year
A new year is the perfect time to reset your marketing strategy, but progress isn’t just about adding new tactics. Often, the biggest wins come from stopping the things that no longer work.
At TLH Marketing, we regularly see businesses wasting time, budget, and energy on outdated or ineffective marketing habits. If you want better results this year, here’s exactly what to stop doing in your marketing, and what to do instead.
1. Stop Posting Content “Just to Be Active”
Posting for the sake of it is one of the most common marketing mistakes businesses make.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Low engagement signals hurt visibility
- Content lacks direction or purpose
- Audiences disengage when posts feel repetitive
Do This Instead
- Create content with a clear goal (awareness, leads, trust)
- Focus on quality over quantity
- Build posts around audience pain points and questions
Consistency matters, but strategic consistency matters more.
2. Stop Trying to Be on Every Platform
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be where your audience actually is.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Spreads your efforts too thin
- Leads to burnout and poor-quality content
- Dilutes brand messaging
Do This Instead
- Identify your top 1–2 performing platforms
- Focus on content formats that work best there
- Master fewer channels properly
Being effective on one platform beats being average on five.
3. Stop Ignoring Your Website Performance
Your website isn’t just a digital brochure, it’s your strongest sales tool.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Slow load times kill conversions
- Poor UX increases bounce rates
- Outdated messaging confuses visitors
Do This Instead
- Regularly review speed, usability, and mobile experience
- Optimise pages for clear calls to action
- Align messaging with your current offers and audience
If your website isn’t converting, your marketing can’t either.
4. Stop Relying Only on Vanity Metrics
Likes, impressions, and followers look nice, but they don’t pay the bills.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Gives a false sense of success
- Distracts from real business growth
- Makes optimisation harder
Do This Instead
- Track conversions, leads, and enquiries
- Measure engagement quality, not volume
- Align KPIs with business goals
Marketing success should be measured by impact, not popularity.
5. Stop Treating SEO as an Afterthought
SEO isn’t optional, and it’s definitely not something to “add later”.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Missed long-term traffic opportunities
- Over-reliance on paid ads
- Content that doesn’t rank or convert
Do This Instead
- Build SEO into blogs, websites, and landing pages
- Focus on search intent, not just keywords
- Think long-term growth, not quick wins
SEO compounds, ignoring it costs you future visibility.
6. Stop Copying What Everyone Else Is Doing
Trends can inspire, but copying competitors rarely creates differentiation.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Blends your brand into the noise
- Loses authenticity
- Confuses your audience
Do This Instead
- Develop a clear brand voice and message
- Share real insights, opinions, and expertise
- Create content that reflects your values and audience
Standing out beats fitting in every time.
7. Stop Leaving Marketing Until “When You Have Time”
Marketing done inconsistently delivers inconsistent results.
Why It’s Holding You Back
- Stop-start momentum
- Missed opportunities
- Reactive, rushed campaigns
Do This Instead
- Build a realistic marketing plan
- Batch content and campaigns in advance
- Treat marketing as a priority, not an afterthought
Marketing works best when it’s proactive not panic-led.
Final Thoughts: Less Noise, More Results
This year, better marketing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what actually works.
By stopping outdated habits and focusing on strategy, clarity, and consistency, businesses can see stronger results with less stress and wasted effort.
At TLH Marketing, we help brands refine their marketing, remove what’s not working, and build strategies that drive real growth—not just activity.
If you’d like help reviewing or resetting your marketing this year, we’re ready when you are!
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