What is the Difference Between Advertising and Marketing?

Marketing and advertising. Pretty much the same thing, isn’t it? Actually, no! Read Franchise Finder’s super-short guide to learning the difference…

Advertising Versus Marketing

Let’s start with marketing. Marketing is the overall manner in which your franchise will develop, promote, price and distribute your products and/or services or, as it has been described, the process by which goods or services move from concept to customer. Marketing involves many different activities and techniques including market research, media planning, sales strategy, customer relationship management, search engine marketing, social media marketing, branding, public relations and advertising (amongst many others!). So, advertising can be described as one component of marketing.

What is Advertising, Then?

Most laypeople are familiar with advertising, because it’s all around us – these are the brand or sales messages we see on television or in the print media and web banners, or hear on the radio. Advertising is a form of communication which aims to persuade people to take some action – call this company, buy that product or vote for this political party, for example. Your franchise’s marketing plan, then, may or may not include advertising campaigns.