How Do You Explain Marketing?
Marketing is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot—and honestly, it's one of the most misunderstood parts of running a business. People often confuse it with sales or advertising. While they’re definitely part of the mix, marketing is not just about posting flyers or making a quick pitch.
Let me explain it like this (because who doesn’t love a good circus analogy?):
-
Advertising is putting up a sign that says, “Circus Coming to Town.”
-
Promotion is walking an elephant down Main Street holding that sign.
-
Publicity is when that elephant strolls right through the mayor’s prize garden (and the local paper can’t get enough of it).
-
Public Relations is when the mayor laughs about it instead of calling animal control.
-
Sales is what happens at the ticket booth when someone says, “I’ll take front row!”
So what’s marketing then?
👉 Marketing is the strategy behind all of it.
It’s the reason you’ve got an elephant, a route down Main Street, and a front-page feature lined up. It’s the big-picture thinking that ties everything together.
A smart marketing strategy includes:
✅ Clear Goals
Know where you're headed and why. No point parading an elephant around town without a purpose.
✅ A Defined Audience
You’ve got to speak to the right people. Families with kids are your circus crowd—not the boardroom execs.
✅ A Compelling Offer
Why should people come to your show? “We’ve got elephants” might just do the trick—but you’ve got to spell it out.
✅ A Multi-Channel Approach
You can't rely on one flyer. You need a mix—social media buzz, print ads, signage, word-of-mouth, you name it.
✅ A Conversion-Friendly Path
Make it easy for people to buy the ticket. If they have to jump through hoops, they’ll skip the show.
✅ Tracking & Tweaking
If no one’s buying tickets... it’s time to change the act.
Now, here’s what not to do:
🚫 Toss money at random ads and hope something sticks
🚫 Ignore the strategy and focus on one-off tactics
🚫 Post a few things online and call it a day
Because if you don’t have a clear plan—you’re just standing in the street with an elephant, wondering why no one showed up.
Need help figuring out your next big move?
At Impressions In Print, we don’t just make cool promo items—we help you bring your brand to life in creative, strategic ways that actually work.
📞 Want a free consultation and fresh ideas to boost your marketing strategy?
Click here to schedule a chat. Let’s make some magic happen (elephants optional).
Inspired by a classic marketing analogy shared by Tom Pestridge and others in the creative community. Reimagined for today's business world by Impressions In Print, Inc.