The Definition For Marketing:
Isn't It Advertising?

If you ask for a definition for marketing, most people would immediately say "Advertising."

But it's not. It may include advertising, but it involves a whole lot more, as well.

First, remember how we answered, "What is marketing?" That's right. Sharing your excitement and belief in your product, cause or service. But how do you share that excitement?

By figuring out what your prospects and customers want and need, creating a product or service that fills that need, then letting them know about it.

"A New Definition"

Or if you want to be a little more technical, the American Marketing Association came up with this "new" definition of marketing in October 2007. Theirs reads like this:

"Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. "

While that's a bit harder to understand, it basically says the same thing.

I would add that marketing is any activity you engage in to understand your customer's needs, meet those needs and convey to the customer how you've met those needs.

The Nitty Gritty

So that means networking with your customers at trade shows is marketing. You're getting to know them, you're sharing your products' benefits with them and meeting their needs, all at once.

Advertising your products where your customers will see those ads is also marketing. As is any email or direct mail piece you create to explain to your customers the benefits your product will bring to them.

So a definition for marketing seems to be any activity involving a connection between you and your customers.

So, connect with them. And help them solve their problems, while they help you stay in business.

More information about marketing methods can be found on any of these links:

Direct Mail Marketing
Internet Marketing
Website Marketing
E-Mail Marketing
Networking
Blogging
Marketing Mix
Business to Business Marketing
Social Marketing
Guerilla Marketing
Permission Marketing
Pay Per Click Marketing
Relationship Marketing
Mobile Marketing
Public Relations


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