Understanding Marketing Vs. Advertising

Brought to you by: W Brumm

Understanding Marketing Vs. Advertising

Many business owners get confused over two of the most common terms used, whether online or offline, and those are advertising and marketing. Essentially, the terms can be simplified with advertising referring to a particular product or service for a specified period of time and marketing is establishing the company's name and reputation. Although completely different in their theories, no businesses can survive without having a viable plan for both.

Advertising essentially is charged with having a product or service and creating a need or a perceived desire of the consumer to buy it. The advertising message is designed to create awareness that the product exists, how it will be of value to the consumer or make their lives easier because they have it and explain why they should buy it immediately. Many of today's advertisers, even internet advertisers use the four Ps of advertising of stating how the product benefits consumers, giving the price that reflects a great value for their money, informs the consumer of all the places they can find the product and promote the product for repeat or additional sales.

One of the downfalls of internet marketing has been the approach of marketing based on the company's objectives while ignoring the needs of the consumer and not taking profit into account. Many of the online marketers place their focus on recruitment of new distributors of a product or service and have no idea whether or not there is a need for the product. They also tend to take a shotgun approach to their marketing efforts, hoping at least one of several hundred shots will hit the target.

A pure marketing plan will anticipate the needs of the consumer and make information about the product available to the consumer before they realize they need it and want it. Planting this seed of desire can also help establish a higher price of the item and consumers are always willing to pay a premium price for something they believe they cannot do without.

While the principal of supply and demand has long been used to calculate prices on many products or services, it does not perform as well on internet service-based businesses. While supply and demand usually work together in creating market value, supply can influence demand causing an upward spiral in prices which can eventually lead to a lower level of demand.

In recent years, many electronic game companies have rigidly enforced the quantity of their products being produced or distributed, all the time using advertising to promote a perceived need for the product. While controlling the supply and advertising to increase demand, the price will drift higher in an open market.

To better define the difference, think about a favorite fast-food restaurant and if the first thing that comes to mind is one particular food item they sell, then advertising has done its job. If the first thing that comes to mind is the company's logo or a physical trait of their buildings, then marketing has won the battle.

W Brumm is the owner of CashDr.net and writes on a variety of subjects. If you are interested in this topic it is recommended you visit: CashDr.net

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