There may be numerous causes for failed advertising, whether it’s a billboard, in-app ad or a TV commercial. Think of anything from tall claims to irregular advertising, from wrong selection of media to very bad timing, seemingly little things can make it or break it in the advertising industry.

Often, however, it comes down to the businesses themselves who don’t think their marketing strategies through carefully. In some particular occasions, it’s the profit that comes before people, which always reflects in their products and services, no matter how well-executed advertising may be.

“I think for any business to succeed, there must be a balance between profits and people. This includes both the management, employees and customers,” said Alex Wong, the creator of “Hijack Copywriter” and marketing expert who specializes in helping small and corporate businesses to “hijack” their clients’ minds and help them to grow their businesses and sales. “Obviously, if a business doesn’t make enough revenue or isn’t profitable, it won’t last,” Wong added.

“However, if it doesn’t provide any (or very little) value to customers, it's not going to last very long either. You have to find a way to provide a helpful product or service that customers are willing to pay for that will keep them coming back,” the marketing expert explained.

Wong argues that as with anything, marketing can be problematic when a company cares more about profits than their customers. “However, this type of marketing is usually short-term and doesn't work for long since it's not aimed at genuinely solving the customer’s problems and needs. It's focused on taking their money and nothing else.”

According to Wong, if you want to have any chance of succeeding, your customers have to trust and value your brand. In that sense, there’s no such a thing as an overnight success.

In some cases, businesses and companies act like they know better than their customers. But tricking people is no longer as easy as it used to be as customers are much more aware of how brands influence their buying decisions these days.

“One of the best things about the internet is that you can easily check what other people think about a product or service by checking their reviews online. Sites such as Amazon allow shoppers to post their reviews and feedback so that others can know what they liked, disliked, etc.,” Wong explained.