Ever felt lost in the advertising-marketing maze?

Today I’m going to unravel the main reason most advertising doesn’t seem to work, exploring the unique differences between advertising and marketing, what you need to know and why it matters if you want to give your ads the best chance of success.

Deciphering the Advertising and Marketing Distinction

Advertising and marketing – two terms that often get mixed up like a smoothie but are as different as peanut butter and jelly.

Let’s unscramble the jargon and sprinkle some clarity on this subject.

First things first, advertising and marketing are like distant cousins at a family reunion – related, but not the same.

Advertise, and you’re putting your message onto a billboard, radio, or online platform. It’s the classic “here’s my business, here’s what I’ve got, call me” scenario.

Now, marketing, is a whole system – it’s the grand plan, the orchestrated symphony that is behind the scenes and makes everything work.

The Dynamics of the Marketing System

Picture this: You’ve got your ad out there, people are seeing it, and now the big question is, what do they do next? Call?

Most of the time, this isn’t what they do. Based on my experience, most of the people will check you out online, they may look at some reviews, and they’ll visit your website.

Ah, the magical website – the portal where curiosity meets information.

This is where the marketing system kicks in. Whether someone calls you up or checks out your website, what happens next?

That’s the essence of your marketing system. It’s the seamless transition from advertising to marketing to sales – a well-choreographed dance where everything flows effortlessly.

Crafting a Compelling Online Experience

You can break it down and examine the nuances. Think about the flow – where do you want to guide people?

Understanding this flow is like having a treasure map for crafting killer ads and messaging. It’s the secret sauce to captivate your audience.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – it’s not always about phone calls or in-person visits. More often than not, the cyber journey begins with a visit to your website.

People want to snoop around, gather information, and maybe read some reviews – it’s a digital window shopping extravaganza.

Here’s the golden nugget: Think about what the prospect wants, not what you want them to do. Because, every time they are going to do what they want.

So how can you give them what they are looking for? It’s likely not a call us button (although that should be an option); it should be information that answers the questions that people typically ask and leads them to see you as the best provider of the product or service they are considering.

It should also attempt to get their information so that you can go into proactive mode and start communicating with them, ultimately, bringing them in to buy…when they are ready.

The Importance of Communication and Strategic Planning

Well, let’s wrap this up – but not before emphasizing the importance of talking it out. Sometimes, a fresh perspective from an objective person can be the missing piece to your marketing puzzle.

If you’d like some kelp with that, let me know, I’m happy to help you create your strategic plan.

I hope this will be your guiding star in advertising and marketing your business. If it resonated with you, and you know someone else you think it may help, please share it with them. Until next time, happy selling!