End the Cycle: 9 Bad Marketing Habits to Break in 2025

Marketers are creatures of habit. It’s easy to fall back on the familiar when deadlines loom, campaigns are firing, and budgets are tight. But with 2025 in full swing, holding onto outdated strategies could mean missing out on big opportunities to innovate and connect. We asked our marketing experts about the bad habits holding us back, and the shifts we can all make to spark better results this year. Here’s what they had to say.

1. Clinging to Tired Processes

Email marketing hasn’t evolved much for many brands, with batch-and-blast campaigns still being the default. But AI tools are rewriting the rules. Sticking to rigid, outdated processes risks losing customers who now expect more thoughtful communication. With features like send-time optimization and dynamic content, marketers can deliver emails that feel as personal as a text from a friend. 

Marketers need to stop resisting process innovation, especially in areas that have stayed static for a decade.

T.J. Prebil

Director, Product Marketing

2. Ignoring Mobile-First Design

We’re well past the era when mobile was an afterthought. Today, most customer interactions happen on mobile devices, yet some brands still build for desktop first. Responsive design isn’t optional anymore—it’s foundational. From thumb-friendly buttons to adaptive visuals, prioritizing mobile ensures every interaction feels smooth, no matter the device.

The customer experience isn’t just about email engagement—it’s about seamless interactions across channels.

Andrew LeClair

Director, Product Marketing

3. Staying In Your Lane

Routine can be a marketer’s worst enemy. Sticking to the same channels, tactics, or even thought processes can lead to stale campaigns. The antidote? A dose of curiosity. Look at what innovators in unrelated industries are doing, and bring those ideas into your work. Sign up for unconventional newsletters like Trend-Watching or attend a conference outside your comfort zone—you never know what might spark your next breakthrough. Our newsletter is pretty great too.

Carve out regular innovation time throughout the year—set the tone for your team, not just at the start of the year.

Alex Manly

Director, Strategy

4. Settling for Generic Campaigns

We’ve all been on the receiving end of uninspired, one-size-fits-all messaging. Customers expect brands to know them better than that. By leveraging unified customer data and dynamic personalization, you can create experiences that feel relevant and timely. It’s not just about engagement; it’s about showing customers you actually get them.

Using generic messaging stings. It’s time to connect with the right teams to access data and enhance personalization.

Tracy Meyer

Engagement Manager, Strategy

5. Skipping the Small Stuff

Testing isn’t glamorous, but it’s how good campaigns become great. Yet, many marketers rely on old insights or assumptions when the pressure is on. Instead of massive overhauls, focus on continuous tweaks based on real-time data. Even tiny adjustments can have a big impact when done consistently.

Stop bolting on fixes and start iterating continuously. What worked yesterday might not work today—and vice versa.

Tiffany Fitzgerald

Director, Strategy

6. Trusting Your Gut Over Data

Your gut might have served you well in the past, but with so much data at your fingertips, why leave it to guesswork? The best decisions come from insights backed by testing and analysis. Dive into the numbers, and let them guide you to smarter and more effective strategies. 

Making assumptions about what will resonate with customers is a habit that needs to go.

Michael Le

Director, Strategy

7. Overloading Customers with Promotions

Pushing last-minute deals might feel like the right move for your bottom line, but it doesn’t always align with what customers need. Instead, combine business objectives with user-focused recommendations using predictive modeling. This way, you can surface products that both support your team’s goals and appear on a customer’s wishlist for a true win-win.

Marketers have a tendency to promote what’s urgent for them, not what’s relevant for their audience.

Patrick Hamilton

Associate Director, Strategy

8. Siloing Customer Experiences

Customers don’t care which team owns a campaign; they care about a seamless experience. Whether it’s email, SMS, or social, your messaging should work together. Breaking down internal silos helps your brand speak with one clear, cohesive voice.

Siloing your brand’s messaging by channel limits its potential. Create a playground, not a funnel, and let your customers personalize the way they engage with you.

Tiffany Fitzgerald

Director, Strategy

9. Wasting Great Content

You poured hours into that campaign, so why let it gather dust after one send? Repurposing content for different audiences and channels is an easy victory. Resurface your greatest hits, adjust them to fit the moment, and watch as your ROI climbs without reinventing the wheel.

So much effort goes into content creation, yet it’s often sent once to limited audiences. With tools like Da Vinci, you can repurpose and personalize content to get the most out of every asset.

Meaghan Bilinkski

Director, Strategy

Breaking old habits isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. These shifts aren’t just about keeping up—they’re about creating marketing that resonates, delivers value, and stays ahead of the competition. Ready to embrace smarter strategies in 2025? Check out our related resources below for more tips and tricks.