Why Traditional Marketing Is Ignored: What Today’s Data Tells Us About Buyers

In today’s crowded digital world, it’s easier than ever to show people your ads, videos, and social posts. But it’s much harder to make them care. Your message might look professional, but if it doesn’t connect with what your audience truly wants, it’s getting ignored. In 2025, buyer behavior is shifting rapidly. This blog explores why traditional tactics no longer work and what modern data reveals about marketing that actually gets results.

Why Traditional Marketing Falls Short

Old marketing methods like mailed coupons, newspaper ads, and radio spots once dominated, but now people are overwhelmed with hundreds of ads each day. In fact, research shows that users decide in under 3 seconds whether they’ll engage or move on.

Modern audiences expect:

• Personalized messaging
• Immediate value
• Authenticity and transparency
• Tangible benefits

If your marketing doesn’t check these boxes, it’s likely being tuned out.

“82% of people have purchased a product after watching a video.” — Wyzowl

Videos now outperform still images and text, but they must be high-quality, relevant, and emotionally engaging to succeed.

What Buyers Are Actually Doing Now

The customer journey is no longer linear. Shoppers jump from social platforms to product reviews to YouTube, forming opinions before ever visiting your website. Here’s what the data shows:

• 91% have watched a video to understand a product better
• 77% bought or downloaded an app after watching a video
• 89% want to see more video content from brands
• 87% say video quality directly affects their trust in a brand

Additional sources reinforce these findings:

• HubSpot reports that 54% of consumers want more videos from businesses
• Forbes says that marketers using video generate 66% more qualified leads each year
• Brightcove found social video gets 12 times more shares than text and images combined

What this means:

• Help matters more than hype. Provide informative, useful videos
• Trust is fragile. Poor video quality harms credibility
• Focus on quality. A single great video outperforms ten mediocre ones

“It’s not about being everywhere, it’s about being in the right place with the right message.” — Sam Mark, Creative Growth Podcast

Instagram Offers a Clear Window Into Buyer Behavior

Instagram isn’t just a gallery of pretty pictures—it’s a powerful tool for modern marketers. Statista reports:

• 62% of users are aged 18–34
• Nearly 48% of U.S. adults earning over $75,000 are active on Instagram
• It’s the second most-used social platform for discovering new products, after YouTube

Sprout Social notes that 65% of users use Instagram to discover new items. Tools like Reels, product tags, and creator collaborations turn passive scrolling into active shopping. To succeed here, businesses must go beyond curated visuals—authentic, story-driven video content performs best.

Coupons Still Work. They’ve Just Gone Digital

Coupons aren’t just for budget shoppers anymore. Statista shows that over 90% of Americans use coupons. In fact, a surprising 83% of households earning over $100,000 use them too, according to Inmar Intelligence.

RetailMeNot states that 88% of shoppers are more likely to visit a retailer that offers personalized discounts.

Today’s coupon strategies have evolved:

• Text-message promo codes
• App-exclusive discounts
• Loyalty rewards programs
• Credit card cashback offers

Unfortunately, many small businesses overlook these digital avenues. Integrating these tools shows customers that you understand their needs and appreciate their loyalty.

Ignoring Buyer Data Is Expensive

Too many businesses still invest in outdated tactics. Long emails, generic ads, and low-effort videos that buyers skip immediately.

“44% of consumers prefer learning about a product through a short video.” — Wyzowl

Oberlo backs this up: people remember 95% of a video’s message versus only 10% of a message they read in text.

If you’re not producing video content or your videos lack quality, you’re leaving money on the table.

What Indianapolis Businesses Can Do

You don’t need a Hollywood budget to succeed in today’s video-first environment. Here are practical ways local businesses can use video effectively:

• Share short, authentic clips on Instagram or TikTok
• Create simple explainer videos that answer common customer questions
• Ask for customer input and tailor your content around it
• Deliver value through personalized offers and reward programs

Start with a single, meaningful video. Use it to test engagement, then adapt your strategy based on the feedback.

What’s Working Right Now in Marketing

• Make video your primary content format. Even smartphone videos can succeed if they’re authentic
• Be honest. Viewers connect with real, unscripted messaging
• Stay discoverable. Use SEO keywords like “best coffee shop in Indianapolis” or “how to patch a leaky pipe”
• Track your performance. Use analytics to refine your approach
• Prioritize mobile. Most users consume content on their phones

Aligning Marketing With Sales

Marketing isn’t about shouting your message. It’s about building a relationship. When marketing educates and excites, the sales process becomes natural.

Strong brands:

• Deliver a consistent visual and verbal message across all platforms
• Guide users smoothly from awareness to purchase
• Use retargeting and reminders without being pushy

Why Most Marketing Misses the Mark

Too many brands focus on themselves instead of their customers. Effective marketing should:

• Offer entertaining and informative video content
• Reflect customers’ lifestyles and needs
• Provide real, measurable value
• Build long-term trust
• Offer savings in smart, easy ways

If your marketing fails to do this, it’s likely being ignored.

Final Thoughts: Let Data Lead the Way

Guesswork doesn’t work anymore. By understanding what your buyers actually care about, you can craft campaigns that connect and convert.

Here at Recre8, we always use innovative marketing strategies to help brands grow with high-impact video, social content, and data-driven campaigns. If you’re a business in Indianapolis looking to stand out, we’re here to help you get noticed—and remembered.