Many people confuse branding and marketing. Or, simply assume they are one and the same. Don't worry, it happens all the time! Today I'm sharing a few key differences between the two, and how they work together.
Perhaps more specifically, how will you use both as a budding female entrepreneur?
BUILDING A PERSONAL BRAND TAKES TIME
A brand is not a logo. It's not a website, or a slogan. It's a unique combination of your reputation, your personality, your vision, your talents & skills, where you fit into the landscape, and of course, what you do/sell/provide... and why.
MARKETING IS THE TACTICAL STRATEGIES YOU WILL USE TO GET THERE
By contrast, marketing is about how you communicate the problem you solve to the world. This is about tools and methods you will use to spread your message and offer. (Will it be paid ads? Video? Content? Blogging? Podcasting? Speaking engagements? Social? Email? etc.)
GOOD BRANDING HAS DEEP ROOTS
When the brand is YOU, the decisions you make at the outset are critical and deeply personal. They should capture the deeper reasons why you are creating your business, and where you intend to lead it. These foundational pieces remain solid and clear over time.
MARKETING CHANGES ALONG WITH YOUR OBJECTIVES
Marketing tactics should be measured and tested, and your efforts should be re-evaluated frequently. While there's something to be said for persistence and consistency, you also need to know when to pivot to something better.
HOW BRANDING AND MARKETING WORK TOGETHER
Your brand and business goals - when solid and clear - drive your marketing decisions. In turn, your marketing efforts (in other words, how you will 'bring it to market') need something specific and fleshed-out to sell (for example: products, services, experiences, expertise, etc.)
I hope this has helped clarify some of the differences between branding and marketing for you!
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