Cumulus Media | Toledo & Monroe

  If you’ve ever used the words  marketing  and  advertising  interchangeably, you’re not alone. Many business owners do. But understanding the difference between marketing and advertising can dramatically improve your results — and your return on investment. Let’s break it down in a simple, practical way. What Is Marketing? Marketing  is the big-picture strategy. It’s everything your business does to attract, engage, convert, and retain customers. Marketing includes research, branding, pricing, messaging, positioning, customer experience, and yes — advertising. Think of marketing as the  master plan . Marketing answers questions like: Who is our ideal customer? What problem do we solve? What makes us different? How should we position ourselves in the market? What experience do we want customers to have? Marketing happens before, during, and after a sale. Example: If you’re a furniture and appliance retailer in Northwest Ohio or Southeast Michigan, mar...