Lilly Reynolds
Visual Artist
Marketing and Branding often get grouped together, but how they differentiate is important to understand and distinguish.
In short, marketing addresses how and branding addresses why. Marketing confirms the need and branding determines the reach. Marketing deals with the audience and branding deals with the design.
One without the other leaves a lot of room for error and very little room for success. Read more to see why!
WHAT IS MARKETING?
Marketing, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as “the process or technique of promoting, selling, or distributing a product or service.” Research, analytics, and people psychology work together to construct the market and the people in the market so that you can better reach them. By understanding who wants your product or service, where to find them, and why they want/need it, you support your company’s very existence. The product or service you sell is necessary or desired and you know exactly why. That, in turn, establishes confidence and clarity in defending the reason for providing the product/service, which sells it. Selling it gives you money that creates profit, provides value, and inhibits growth. Win win win for all involved. The marketing includes the behind-the-scenes legwork which lays the foundation for existence and support for survival.
WHAT IS BRANDING?
Branding, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as “the promoting of a product or service by identifying it with a particular brand.” The design, cohesion, and story established through branding constructs the visual and tangible world your product/service lives in. Following guidelines and creating consistent elements of a brand make it digestible and desirable for your audience. If you use consistent fonts and font sizes, work within a color palette, and continually create according to a theme or concept, you enforce brand recognition that bring people back to buy from you again and again. They know you’re reliable, dependable, and in line with their expectations and style, giving them confidence to invest in your product or service. You create long-term relationships, which keeps your brand above water through highs and lows.
HOW DO THEY COEXIST?
Marketing is the camera guy and branding is the star. Marketing is the research and branding is the reach. Marketing is an extended offer and branding ensures the offer is accepted. Understanding how they need each other to thrive strengthens each component individually and securing your chance of success. A brand without marketing is baseless and aimless; marketing without branding is static and chaotic. The ways in which they rely on the other is vital to the success of a business. If you create a product/service that people need and want but don’t know how to reach them or advertise to them, you won’t get their business over your competitors. Inversely, if you know how to tell stories and create cohesively but don’t know if or why people need or want your product/service, you’re blindly investing money and resources into something without assurance it’ll work. To some it may seem simple, but truly grasping the details of how they intertwine is the key to growing a business long-term.
WORKING WITH AN AGENCY
If you don’t currently have an agency or team of people that work on the ins and outs of marketing and branding your product/service, look no further! We’re here and happy to help. Regardless of who you have or who you choose, we encourage you to invest in this vital partner relationship between marketing and branding within your business so that you thrive and reach your goals.
More Tips, Tricks, and Inspiration …
Design Study – Our Take On Branding an Interior Design Firm
We set out to create a mockup for an Interior Design concept called “Studio 27.” The name emulates innovation, sparking a sense of design experimentation and discovery. As seen in the mood board, the firm is eccentric when it comes to design. Unique colors, shapes and patterns are some of the main focal points of the rooms created. This plays into the overall brand as Studio27 remains selective over the projects and clients they choose to work with. When you see the room, you will know it was the work of Studio27.
RG Talk: The Most Cozy Places in Nashville
In part one of our “Big Four for Creatives” series, we explored the impact of your “room” on your creativity. This week we’re taking it one step further by sharing our go-to spots in Nashville that are sure to fuel your creativity. From rooftop bars and restaurants to local shops and the great outdoors, these spaces will make creative block a thing of the past.
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4407 Charlotte Ave.
Nashville, TN 37209