Beware of False Marketing Communication Claims

marketing claimsClaims made in your marketing communication are important.

However if there is not any substance behind the claim then it can damage your brand’s reputation and affect your customer relationships to say the least.

Large companies make sure that any claim they make about their brands they have data to substantiate the claims.

If not,  competitors and customers will call them out.

This does not happen with smaller businesses and you often see claims made that are actually false or at best hollow.

One easy way to see if the claim could be misleading is if there is not any data published.

If you see someone claim to have the Number 1 offering for example, look for supporting evidence.

The ones that can support their claims often have independent data clearly published on their website and the data can be verified.

I am not sure if this is a trend, but I am seeing more of these Number 1 claims.

So, before you are tempted to go down this path ask yourself these questions:

Is It Meaningful To My Customers?

If you know that these types of claims are important especially in the buying  decision then fine, if you are not sure then check it out before you do.

Will It Strengthen My Relationships With Customers?

Some customers like to be associated with companies making these claims. However others do not care and are more impressed with what you will actually do to help them with their needs.

Why Do I Want To Make The Claim?

If it is an important element, for example to attract subscribers or advertising then fine use it. If it is for your ego then perhaps rethink.

Can I Support The Claim With Data?

If you can’t then do not use the claim as someone will call you out on it.

Claims are an important part of your marketing communication you just need to be sure you choose the ones that matter most for your business and customers.

Over to you, what are your thoughts when you see these types of claims?

Grow your business with marketing review and solutions. To find out more simply Click Here

 

10 Responses to Beware of False Marketing Communication Claims

  1. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by davidabrock, Susan Oakes. Susan Oakes said: Beware of False Marketing Communication Claims http://bit.ly/aa8BUD [...]

  2. Paul Hassing says:

    Good one, Susan. I’m so sick of the claim: ‘Melbourne’s Best Pizza!!!’.

    I’ve read it on a dozen different fliers and it’s never true.

    Subjective assertion + no data + cliched handling = worthless claim.

    Think I’ll switch to nori rolls! :)

  3. Bambi says:

    I think those who make big grandiose claims about their business do so because they feel inadequate. In particular in small biz there are still those who fell into it because there were no other options and deep down they feel inferior to big business – they don’t feel that confident about their product or service, and think that it is necessary to try and inflate things…If you really are the best, number 1, etc., other people will make those claims for you (much more credible than having to say it yourself).

    Susan – I think your first point is the most important: Do your customers care that you are number 1, or the biggest, or the first, or the best? I cannot picture a situation where I would choose Number 1 as the defining criteria.

    thanks for the post

    • Susan Oakes says:

      Hi Bambi,

      I think you are right about confidence and the ones who are the best do let others say it. It reminds me of years ago companies who claim “there is no better…. “which was a way of making a superiority claim when you actually did not have a clear customer benefit.

      Thank for your comments

  4. BizSugar.com says:

    Beware of False Marketing Communication Claims…

    Claims made in your marketing communication are important. However if there is not any substance behind the claim then it can damage your brand’s reputation and affect your customer relationships to say the least. Before you make claims especially the …

  5. Yoni says:

    Great post Susan!

    There is an expression “Paper tiger.” It speaks of something which is all appearance and not a lot of substance. Your great post got me to thinking about it. Claims are great, but if they can’t be backed up, it is like a hollow shell without much in it. It’s kind of like those chocolate Easter bunnies. You expect it to be solid, but there’s not much inside!

    Yoni

    • Susan Oakes says:

      Hi Yoni,

      Your examples are great as they are so easily understood so thank you. One thing I learnt from working in large companies is that if you can’t back up the claim with credible evidence then do not use it.

      Thanks as always Yoni for adding your comment.

      Susan

  6. Codruta Moga says:

    I would add one more question “would you say that to your best friends that this is your company?”.

    • Susan Oakes says:

      Hi Codruta,

      That is an excellent question you added and would definitely keep people making false claims.

  7. Susan Oakes says:

    Hi Paul,

    You summed it up very well and the funny thing is most people except those making these claims can see through it.

    Susan

Leave a reply

CommentLuv badge