In the race to grow , some businesses take shortcuts.
They use tactics that might win short-term gains but leave a long trail of damage behind.
These are bad tactics – they may seem clever but they’re a nightmare for long-term growth.
Let’s break down the worst offenders, and what to do instead if you want to build real, sustainable success.
The Bait-and-Switch Trick
A campaign promises a specific feature, price, or benefit to get prospects in the door. But once they engage or purchase, the offer changes—or worse, disappears entirely.
It’s an old-school tactic dressed up in slick marketing: “Free trial” that isn’t free. Low pricing that doesn’t include core features. Promised outcomes with no path to achieve them.”
On paper, it might boost short-term conversion, but it’s a branding landmine.
What it looks like: Promising one thing in your marketing but delivering something completely different once the client signs on.
Why it kills success: It destroys trust, tanks referrals, and guarantees churn. Your brand reputation takes a hit that’s hard to recover from.
Do this instead:
Lead with transparency. Clear expectations create loyal customers who feel confident renewing—and recommending you.
Ghosting Clients After the Sale
You nailed the pitch, sealed the deal, and got the signature. But then… silence. No follow-up. No onboarding plan. No ongoing communication. It’s a common trap: the marketing and sales engine is laser-focused on acquisition—but drops the ball on retention.
Going silent after the sale is one of the worst moves marketers can make. And that, frankly, is a growth killer.
What it looks like: Over-the-top sales follow-up… until the contract is signed.
Then? Crickets.
Why it spooks clients: It signals that your business only cares about revenue, not relationships. That’s a red flag in any industry.
Do this instead:
Shift from transactional to transformational. Build systems that support onboarding, customer success, and ongoing communication. Happy clients = future growth.
Overpromising. Underdelivering.
The knee-jerk reaction to say “yes” to every request (no matter how outlandish or unreasonable) may feel like you’re doing what it takes to win. But soon, you’re in damage control mode—scrambling to meet unrealistic expectations and losing trust along the way. The people-pleaser side of all of us wants to go the extra mile for clients and prospects, but not knowing you or your team’s bandwidth can be counterproductive in a big way
What it looks like: Saying yes to everything to close the deal—even if your team can’t realistically deliver.
Why it kills success: You’ll burn out your staff, disappoint your customers, and damage your credibility. All bad for growth.
Do this instead:
Position your value clearly and honestly. Say “no” to what doesn’t fit and focus on solving real problems—well.
Chasing Everyone, Converting No One
One of the most common (and costly) mistakes businesses make is trying to be everything to everyone. They cast the widest net possible targeting every industry, persona, and pain point in hopes that something sticks.
But here’s the reality: broad messaging doesn’t resonate; it repels.
When you chase everyone, you dilute your value. Your messaging becomes vague, your marketing becomes forgettable, and your sales team ends up talking to people who were never a good fit in the first place. You burn time, budget, and energy—and still walk away empty-handed.
What it looks like: Spray-and-pray marketing. No clear ICP. Just endless noise.
Why it kills success: You burn budget and brand equity while attracting the wrong leads—or none at all.
Do this instead:
Get laser-focused on your ideal customer profile (ICP). Speak directly to their pain points, goals, and industry language. Precision outperforms volume every time.
Bottom Line:
Wicked tactics are tempting when you’re hungry for growth. But they lead to churn, regret, and a brand people don’t trust.
If you want to scale sustainably, ditch the tricks and focus on treating clients like partners—not targets. The result? Loyal customers, raving about referrals, and a business that doesn’t just grow—it thrives.
Need help developing a no-tricks growth strategy?
Let’s talk. We’ll help you build marketing and sales systems that earn trust—and revenue. Contact us by clicking here.