Marketing Terms Demystified [Branding, Digital, Content, Social]

Marketing terms can be incredibly confusing, especially for those of us who didn't study marketing formally. We've grown up immersed in the internet and social media, which makes it easy to assume that branding, digital marketing, content marketing, social media, and advertising are all the same thing. But in reality, they each play a distinct role in a successful marketing strategy.

Understanding the Basics

1. Branding: Branding is the foundation of your identity as a business or individual. It’s how you present yourself to the world, what you stand for, and how you want to be perceived. For instance, when I branded myself as a creative for my web design freelance service, I wasn’t just selling a service—I was creating a narrative about who I am and what I bring to the table.

2. Digital Marketing: Digital marketing is the broad strategy of promoting your brand online. This can include everything from SEO to email marketing to paid ads. Think of it as the umbrella that covers all your online marketing efforts. My husband’s journey to becoming a head coach was heavily supported by digital marketing strategies, from building his online portfolio to sharing his leadership content.

3. Content Marketing: Content marketing is a subset of digital marketing that focuses on creating and sharing valuable content to attract and engage your target audience. I’ve always had a love for content marketing, dating back to my early blogging days before social media took over. It’s about providing useful information that draws people to your brand.

4. Social Media: Social media is just one channel within the content marketing strategy. It’s a platform for sharing your brand’s story and content in a more casual and engaging way. However, it’s not the be-all and end-all. Social media is a piece of the puzzle, but not one you own. That’s why it’s crucial to pair it with other forms of content, like blogs or podcasts, to establish credibility and longevity.

5. Advertising: Advertising is the paid promotion of your brand. This can be through digital ads, print ads, TV, radio, etc. While digital marketing covers a broad range of strategies, advertising is specifically about paying to get your message in front of your audience. Think of it as the fuel that can accelerate your other marketing efforts. For example, you might use advertising to boost the reach of your social media posts or to drive traffic to your long-form content.

The Relationship Between Them

Think of these concepts as part of a staircase, with branding at the top as the broadest concept. Each step down takes you into a more specific aspect of marketing:

• Branding: Your identity and story.

• Digital Marketing: The strategy for promoting that identity online.

• Content Marketing: The creation of content to support that strategy.

• Social Media: The distribution of that content on various platforms.

• Advertising: The paid efforts to promote your brand or content.

Each of these steps interacts with the others, creating a cohesive and effective marketing strategy. For example, when I branded my husband as a football expert, we used content marketing to highlight his expertise and social media to share that content, ultimately helping him land his head coach position.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that social media is the only form of content marketing and that simply being active on platforms like Instagram or TikTok will lead to success. While social media is important, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Long-form content and strategic advertising are crucial for building lasting credibility and ensuring your content reaches the right audience.

For those starting out in marketing, my advice is to begin with the broader concepts and work your way down. Understanding where you fit within this structure will make it easier to navigate the complexities of marketing and build a strategy that works for you. Remember, it’s not about choosing one over the other but understanding how they work together to support your goals.

Want to take your marketing strategy to the next level? 🪜 Follow me on Instagram for more insights on branding, digital marketing, content marketing, and how to make each step count. Let’s climb together towards success!