Hyped as F*ck: 10 over-hyped marketing trends but there could be more
👋🏾 Soooo…collective illusion is public enemy number one. “Don’t Believe The Hype”. Every Tuesday, we’ll say the quiet parts out loud (in your inbox). So we can cancel or co-sign marketing or market trends and discern pop culture gems from flops together. And start making sense of the nonsense online.
The biggest mistake marketers make is speaking in alphabets.
CPC, SEM, PPC, CPM, SQL, MQL…
Speaking in marketing acronyms may make us look smart but the goal should be to make others feel smart…kinda what I want to do with this post. Also, it’s a lot to keep track of and we have enough to remember in a day.
If you got three minutes, I have 9 more overused, exaggerated, and overhyped marketing trends that often make seasoned marketers (and even non-marketers) roll their eyes—wanna read?
Celebrity En(gross)ments: There have been countless brands (big brands, too) who try to leverage the clout of celebrities only to have their marketing campaign fall flat. When there's no genuine target audience connection— expect for it to go up in smoke. IFYKYK
Solo Stove + Snoop Dogg Partnership
The AI Takeover: Let’s get this out the way. AI is taking over, just like cars did to horse-drawn carriages and computers did to typewriters. So all we have to do now is insert a prompt into AI for it to teach us how to use it.
Podcast Patriarchy: Or should I title this, Men with Mics? They’re in abundance. This lack of diversity in an also overhyped space is not only played out—it limits the range of perspectives and voices. And just like we have to train AI in diverse voices that bring different lived experiences, opinions, and expertise we need to inject the same into podcasting.
In·FLU·encer Partnerships: Can we stop pretending an over-reliance on influencers
to sell a lame productwith questionable authenticity will generate instant sales? Fine print: Influencers are out. Creators are in.Another TikTok Challenge: OMFG. If we don’t stop creating forced and contrived dance challenges. Exceptions: Dancers or those who can catch a beat, please. We can no longer leverage the dance trend like we did in 2020.
Hashtags (all ov'em): Overusing generic or trendy hashtags in hopes of going viral? It’s giving spammy and reeks of desperation. Platforms to avoid stuffing with hashtags: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter X.
Algorithm Watch: The constant content-switching to match the algorithm’s energy will leave you burnt out, fren. Lets prioritize personalized content over catering to the whims of newsfeed code.
Sustainability Vows: Greenwashing products without substantial environmental benefits. And while we’re at it: rainbow-washing and Black-face marketing too. Instead, do the things you talk about and let employees or customers share them. Hire people from the communities the company mission statement says it supports.
Cosign ✅ Mizani, a L’Oreal brand specializing in textured hair care, launched a campaign celebrating ancestral hairstyles, spotlighting their cultural significance.
Over-Glossy Videos: Excessively polished and unrealistic promotional videos screams, “I am corporate, ignore me.” These days business to business (B2B) needs to blend in if they want to keep up with the creator economy.
What would you add to this list or co-sign?