Hey Women Solopreneurs, Know The Difference Between Advertising, Marketing & Branding

Advertising, Marketing and Branding - Understand the terms well.
 
Last week, I got a call from one of my friends who bakes the world’s tastiest cakes. Yes, I am seriously lying!
 
Anyways, she wanted me to draft some catchy captions for her bakery products. As she was a dear friend, so I wanted to know more about her marketing and branding strategy.
 
I was completely taken aback when she told me that she is relying only on the merits of her product, which she thinks will help her to create a niche.

 
My dear friend has no knowledge of marketing, advertising, and branding at all. She knew only about one "P" which was obviously her product, apart from it she has no understanding of Price, Promotion and Place. Nevertheless, to say, all these were missing from her strategy.
 
Several women solopreneurs dream to create a niche for their products, but lack the basic understanding of Marketing, Advertising and Branding. As we always cover topics of women entrepreneur’s interest, so this time we will strike the chords on Marketing, Advertising and Branding.

The Dilemma Around the Three Terms
Businesses use marketing, branding, and advertising to reach out to the target audience with a clear motive of conversion which can be a sale, investment, or donation. However, people usually get confused between these terms due to their close connections and unity of purpose.

A clear understanding of their differences will help your business to flourish better. As all these three elements can increase your business’s reputation, reach and customer base in the market.

What is Marketing
Marketing is a process that refers to the various business activities that your company performs to take products to buyers and customers. It mainly targets four elements which are the "Four Ps" of product, price, placement, and promotions.
 
A business works on these four elements to formulate its marketing strategies along with using the other available resources like social media, television, packaging etc. Businesses develop a product, set its price, choose appropriate distribution channels, and start promoting their product. It will not be wrong if we claim that advertising and branding both fall under the circumference of marketing.

What is Advertising
Do you remember Nirma Ad? Or the latest Paperboat Ad? Both are examples of advertisements. Advertising is the paid announcement to the target audience with a motive to persuade potential or existing consumers to buy your product. A medium is used like TV, FM radio, newspaper, or social media to create awareness about the uses, price, and benefits of the product. The main benefit of advertising is control, where the sponsor can control the medium, they wish to use to advertise their product.

What is Branding
Branding is not a new term, but nowadays it is the talk of the town.

Branding provides a differentiator. It differentiates your product from your rival’s offerings. If you think mere packaging will be enough to manage branding for your brand, then you are completely wrong. It is the branding that keeps potential buyers hooked to your brand like the logo, name, symbols etc. If I say ‘Just do it’ you will instantly name Nike, or if I quote ‘I ‘m loving it’ you will again say, McDonald. So, these are the taglines, which these big brands created for themself. These taglines, logos, and colour themes are the part of branding strategy that develops individuality for the brand.

In Nutshell
Many women entrepreneurs questions, which category MeriPehchan’s business bio website fall into. I will leave this to you, but with a slight hint - it allows you to reflect your logo.
 
Author


Rajni Gobhil
Founder: MeriPehchan.Me
Creating Bio Websites & Helping Women solopreneurs/ homepreneurs in Branding & Communications.


Connect at: contact@meripehchan.me