There are many principles that are often preached as gospel in the marketing field, but unfortunately many of them don’t actually work that well. In this article we will look at five marketing principles that are completely wrong and should be abandoned in favour of a more effective strategy.

Principles of familiarity

One of the most common marketing principles beloved by the wrong people is the principle of familiarity. This principle says that if people have seen or used it before, they are more likely to buy it. This principle is wrong because it ignores the fact that people have different needs and wants. Some people may want to try something new, while others may want to buy something they are familiar with.

The principle of similarity also has flaws. It says that if something is similar to something they already like, people are more likely to like it. However, this principle can also be wrong because people can like something completely different from what they are familiar with. Overall, the familiarity principle and the similarity principle are flawed marketing principles that should be avoided when designing products and advertising campaigns.

Principles of social identity

The principle of social identity is one of the most popular marketing principles today. It states that people will do things because other people around them are doing it. This principle is often used to influence people to buy a product or service. The problem with the social identity principle is that it is often wrong. People are often influenced by what they see on TV or in magazines rather than what is actually happening. This principle can be used to sell anything from cigarettes to cars to insurance products.

It is important to remember that the principle of social acceptance is not always accurate. Sometimes people will do things based on what they think others want them to do, rather than what is really best for them. This can lead to problems, such as buying a car that is too expensive or getting insurance that does not meet your needs. It is important to use the social proof principle with care and caution. It can be a powerful tool, but you need to use it wisely

Principle of Reciprocity

The principle of reciprocity is one of the most commonly used marketing principles. It states that if people feel they are getting a good deal, they will exchange goods and services in a fair and balanced manner. However, the principle of reciprocity is wrongly favoured because it can sometimes lead to exploitation. For example, a merchant may offer free delivery for orders over a certain amount to entice customers to buy more products. However, if the customer does not have enough money to spend on additional products, they may try to steal them.

The principle of reciprocity can also be used to manipulate people into buying products that they don’t really need. Suppose a company is selling a product that claims to be effective in reducing weight. If the company offers a free trial of its product, people may be more likely to buy it, even if they don’t actually need it. This will result in them spending more money on the product than they would have if the company had not offered a free trial. The principle of reciprocity can be a useful tool in marketing, but it must be used wisely.

Principles of Commitment

The principle of commitment is a popular marketing principle that is wrongly favoured. The principle states that a consumer is more likely to buy a product if they are committed to buying it. This means that marketers should ensure that the product is very attractive to consumers and that they feel they need to buy it.

However, there are several problems with this principle. Firstly, it is difficult to create a sense of commitment among consumers. Secondly, once a consumer is committed to a product, it is difficult to change their mind. Finally, if the product is not as good as promised, consumers may be dissatisfied with their purchase. In conclusion, the principle of commitment is an important marketing principle and should be used with care. It should only be used when it is truly necessary and will lead to positive results for both marketers and consumers.

The principle of liking

One of the most popular marketing principles is the principle of likeability. This principle states that if you want people to buy from you, you need to make them feel good about themselves. You do this by creating a positive emotional connection with them. However, this principle is wrong. It only works in the short term. People will eventually get tired of being treated like an object and start looking for other sellers. The key to long-term success is not to make people feel good now, but to make them happy in the future.

Another popular marketing principle is scarcity. This principle states that if you put something up for sale, people will want it more than usual. This is because they will perceive it as rare and therefore valuable. However, there are limitations to this principle. If you overproduce something, people will start to forget about it and it will lose its value. The key to success is to find the right balance between producing too much and producing too little. You need to find a balance that keeps your customers happy while still making money.