When you’re constructing a business, there are so numerous buzzwords that get thrown around, that it can be hard to keep them straight. And two conceptions, in particular, have a tendency to get lumped together — marketing and branding. So, what’s the difference between marketing vs. branding? In this article, we’ll break it down for you.
The facticity is, that marketing and branding are two actually different generalities. And if you want your business to succeed, you need to understand the differences between the two — and how to effectively use each to take your business to the coming position.
So, what exactly is branding? What’s marketing? What are the differences between the two — and how can you use both to make a successful, impactful business?
Marketing & Branding
First comes first — before we jump into the differences between marketing and branding, let’s first cover what, exactly, marketing and branding are.
Marketing is defined as the set of tools, processes, and strategies you use to laboriously promote your product, service, and company. Think of marketing as the actions you take to connect with your customers and get them to buy your products or services.
Branding, on the other hand, is the marketing practice of laboriously shaping your brand. Branding is about defining who you’re as a company. It’s your charge, your values, and what makes you special and unique. It’s your crucial brand principles, like your logo, your website, and your brand style guidelines. However, branding is what keeps them coming back for times to come, If marketing is what gets people to engage with your company for the first time.
Differences between marketing vs. branding
All right, so now that we know what they are, let’s talk about the crucial differences between marketing and branding
While marketing is used to promote your product or service, branding is used to laboriously shape your brand and who you are. You need a strategy for both and they’ve different ambitions and different results.
- Marketing get’s a client’s attention, branding is a way to keep their attention
- Marketing drives deals, branding drives recognition and fidelity
- Branding comes first, marketing comes second
- Marketing strategies come and go but branding is consistently
- Branding has just as important of an impact on your team as it does on your customers
Marketing can be the best way to get a customer’s attention, but branding is the best way to keep that attention
No matter what industry you’re in, chances are, you’re just one company in an ocean of competition. And if you want to make waves and get your customer’s attention, marketing is an absolute must-have.
But once you have your customer’s attention, you need a commodity that’s going to keep that attention and that’s where imprinting comes in.
People want to do business with brands they can get behind and brands they believe in — so while marketing will help break through the clutter and get your brand in front of the right people if you want to keep it there, you need to make a brand that people can connect with.
So, in a nutshell, you need the right marketing strategies to set your brand apart from the competition and connect with your customers.
Marketing drives sales, branding drives recognition and loyalty
At the core, most marketing strategies (think SEO, content marketing, or advertising) are meant to drive results—and, more often than not, the results those strategies are trying to drive have to do with sales.
Which is great! If you want your company to succeed, you need to drive sales.
But branding takes a different—and more long-term—approach. Branding isn’t the best solution if you’re looking to drive sales. But it is the best solution if you’re looking to build brand recognition, drive positive brand sentiment, and foster customer loyalty, which is just as important—and which, coincidentally, will have a major impact on your ability to drive sales in the long run.
So, when it comes to sales, think of marketing as a sprint—while branding? That’s more like a marathon.
Marketing strategies come and go—but branding is forever
Now, don’t get us wrong — as long as you’re trying to make a successful business, you’re going to need to laboriously market that business. But the strategies you use to vend your business are temporary; each marketing tactic is going to have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Branding is different. No matter where you’re in your business, you’re always going to be working on defining whom you’re as a company, shaping your brand’s perception with your audience, and fostering a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your customers. As your company grows and evolves, you’ll need to grow and evolve your branding right along with it.
Bottom-line marketing strategies will come and go But branding? Branding is forever.
Final Thoughts
Use marketing and branding to take your business to the next level
Now that you understand the difference between marketing vs. branding, you have the tools you need to use both to take your business to the next level. So what are you waiting for? Get out there, build your brand, and develop the marketing strategies you need to get that brand in front of your ideal customers!
MadOverBranding has worked in over 10+ countries all over the world and knows exactly how to keep pace with the changing world of branding.
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