Marketing vs. Public Relations

What is the difference between Marketing and Public Relations?

Why the difference is so confusing

The terms Public Relations (PR) and Marketing are used interchangeably. Many times people are very proficient in one or the other and some can do both. Interestingly, they are very different.

What is the difference?

Experts make the definitions lengthy: Dr. Philip Kotler defines marketing as “the science and art of exploring, creating, and delivering value to satisfy the needs of a target market at a profit.” It’s too much more me.

Simply, marketing is all about promoting yourself. Public relations is getting others to talk about you.

Marketing is defining the terms in which you want to be known and pushing that story out to all the media avenues you wish; thus hoping you have a high return on investment (ROI). That ROI is then measured by various ways including clicks, sales, subscriptions, etc.

The more relational method, or PR, is mutually beneficial for you and your contact. Typically, PR manifests in smaller numbers but carries benefits over the long term—even years. If you have a fabulous relationship with another blogger, influencer, journalist, etc. you may have that connection for life and vice versa. They can push your material to their followers who have bought into their message, which is amazing for you.

Helpful? If you want to learn more; don’t hesitate to ask! This is the top level, we can get deeper.

You all are awesome.