Let’s be honest—B2B marketing isn’t always as strategic and polished as we make it sound.
Sometimes, it’s a chaotic mix of last-minute ideas, recycled campaigns, and trying to keep up with competitors who seem to be everywhere, all the time. And while we’re all doing our best, we can fall into some all-too-human traps.
In the spirit of calling things out with a wink (and a nudge), we’ve named them the 7 Deadly Sins of B2B Marketing. These are the mindset mistakes and habits that quietly sabotage even the best marketers.
Don’t worry, we’ve all committed a few. The good news? Once you spot them, you can course-correct and get back to building marketing that actually connects and converts.
Let’s dive in:
1. Pride – “We Already Know What the Customer Wants”
Pride is the belief that we’ve got it all figured out. It leads us to assume we already know our audience inside and out—without needing to ask.
“We don’t need to talk to customers. We know what they want.”
👉 Pride comes before the fall.
Even the best marketers don’t have all the answers. Talk to your audience—constantly. Whether it’s interviews, surveys, or simply watching how they engage, listening is your secret weapon.
2. Greed – “Everyone Is Our Target Audience”
Greed in marketing looks like overreaching—trying to sell to everyone, everywhere, all the time.
“Everyone should buy this. It’s for everyone. Right now.”
👉 Don’t be greedy with your audience targeting.
If you try to speak to everyone, you end up resonating with no one. Get specific. Focus on the people who truly need what you offer. That’s how you build relevance—and trust.
3. Sloth – “Just Run Last Year’s Campaign Again”
Sloth shows up as complacency—recycling past efforts instead of evolving.
“Let’s keep what we did last year and just update the date.”
👉 The safest choice is often the most invisible.
Yes, consistency is valuable. But laziness breeds irrelevance. If you want to stay top of mind, your campaigns must evolve with your audience. Fresh thinking gets noticed.
4. Wrath – “Why Are Our Competitors Doing That Again?!”
Wrath manifests as frustration and fixation on the competition. It distracts you from your own strategy.
“There they go again! Always stealing the spotlight!”
👉 Use your energy on yourself—and use it wisely.
Competitor envy won’t build your brand. Focus that fire on smarter strategy, better content, and stronger messaging. Jealousy doesn’t drive growth—clarity and consistency do.
5. Envy – “They Got Lucky. Look at Them Bragging Again!”
Envy is the trap of constant comparison. You see others succeed and start to feel behind.
“They started after us. It’s all just luck. And now they’re everywhere.”
👉 Scroll less. Build more.
It’s easy to get caught in someone else’s highlight reel. But watching others won’t ship your next campaign. Focus on your path. Do the work that moves your brand forward.
6. Gluttony – “Let’s Post Every Day and Write 3 Blogs a Week!”
Gluttony in marketing is the obsession with more—more posts, more content, more everything.
“More content! More everything! Let’s go big!”
👉 Quality > Quantity. Always.
When you create just to stay visible, you risk burning out your team and overwhelming your audience. Make every piece count. Say less but say it better.
7. Lust – “Can We Make Something Go Viral by Friday?”
Lust is the craving for quick wins and viral fame. It leads to short-sighted marketing that lacks substance.
“Let’s make a viral campaign. This week. Please?”
👉 Viral doesn’t happen on command. Craftsmanship does.
Great marketing isn’t luck—it’s built. The best results come from thoughtful planning, sharp insight, and creative execution. Stop chasing trends. Start creating real value.
Final Thoughts: Less Desperation, More Strategy
B2B marketing doesn’t need more noise, panic, or last-minute campaigns. It needs clarity. Craft. And a whole lot more strategy.
So… which of these sins have you seen the most in the wild? Or maybe even committed yourself?
Let’s build smarter, braver, and more intentional B2B marketing. One sin at a time.
Let me know if you’d like to add a downloadable checklist, illustrations for each sin, or turn this into a LinkedIn carousel post.