matthewheinzel.com

This is surprisingly a common question. Since we are already on the internet, let us see how dictionary.com defines both words:

Advertising- the act or practice of calling public attention to one’s product, service, need, etc., especially by paid announcements in newspapers and magazines, over radio or television, on billboards, etc.

Marketing- the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including shipping, storing, and selling.

To the untrained (or unobservant) eye it may seem both are just the act of a company trying to reach the end user. Some may even translate these definitions as describing the same action. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Marketing is the total sum of activities a business uses to transfer their goods or services to consumers. Advertising is simply specific ways for calling attention to one’s brand. This places advertising within the realm of marketing. A company could advertise their product to death, but if they do not have a clear funnel for guiding the customer from the ad to the final product, it is all worthless. All this put together is marketing and without it your business will be stagnant.

I think I have made my answer to the question mostly clear but let me clarify. Advertising is worthless without solid marketing, however, marketing needs advertising to bring leads through your funnel. I suppose you can say they are mutually inclusive. The most important lesson is this: Before you even consider advertising, ensure your whole marketing strategy is fluid, well-structured, and effective, after this you can advertise as much as your heart desires.

Deuce -Matthew