What Is Marketing Anyway? It’s More Than You Think.
- Sawyer Stromwall
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
Marketing is often misunderstood. Some think it’s just advertising, flashy social media posts, or sales gimmicks. But real marketing is much bigger than that—it’s the foundation of how businesses connect with the right people, educate them, and build long-term relationships.
At its core, marketing does two massive things:
It attracts clients. Without marketing, no one knows you exist.
It educates clients. It helps potential customers understand who you are, what you offer, and why it matters to them.
If you’re thinking, “Okay, but how does it actually do that?”, let’s break it down.
1. Marketing = Client Attraction
The first job of marketing is to get your business noticed by the right people. But with endless content and competition out there, it’s not just about being visible—it’s about attracting attention in the right way.
How does marketing attract clients?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Helps people find you when they search for solutions online.
Social Media Marketing: Engages potential customers where they already spend time.
Advertising (Paid and Organic): Puts your business in front of targeted audiences.
Brand Storytelling: Creates an emotional connection that draws people in.
If you read my last blog, you may remember that email campaigns are a fantastic resource for sending the right message to the right people at the right time.
Attracting clients is about positioning yourself as the solution to their problems. Instead of chasing customers, marketing makes them come to you.
Example:
Imagine you’re a financial consultant. Without marketing, you’re just hoping clients somehow find you. With strategic marketing—blog posts on “How to Save for Retirement,” social media Q&As, and targeted ads—you attract people already searching for financial guidance.
2. Marketing = Education
Marketing doesn’t stop at getting attention—it helps potential clients understand why they need you. Before making a purchase, customers go through a decision-making process, and marketing educates them along the way.
Ways marketing educates clients:
Content Marketing: Blogs, videos, and guides that answer questions before they’re even asked.
Email Campaigns: Nurturing leads with valuable insights over time.
Case Studies & Testimonials: Showing real-world success stories.
Webinars & Free Resources: Providing expertise that builds trust.
Example:
Think about Apple. When they launch a new product, they don’t just say, “Here’s the latest iPhone.” They create videos, demos, and tutorials showing how it improves users’ lives. That’s education-driven marketing.
When your marketing answers customer questions before they ask them, you position yourself as the go-to expert.
3. Remember: Marketing Is An Ongoing Conversation
Marketing isn’t a one-time campaign—it’s a continuous conversation between your brand and your audience. The best marketing builds trust over time, turning potential buyers into loyal customers.
But here’s something many businesses overlook: Marketing takes time to work. On average, it takes 75-90 days to start seeing a real shift in engagement, leads, and conversions. Why? Because marketing is about building relationships, not just quick wins. Marketing supports sales, but it isn’t sales.
While some may confuse marketing with sales, they serve different purposes. Marketing attracts and educates potential customers, guiding them toward a buying decision. Sales is the process of closing the deal.
Key elements of long-term marketing success:
Consistent Branding & Messaging: Keep your tone, style, and message aligned across all platforms.
Storytelling & Authenticity: Share real stories that connect with people on a deeper level.
Engagement & Interaction: Respond to comments, questions, and feedback—build relationships.
When you stay consistent, the results compound. The brands that commit to marketing see the biggest payoff: long-term relationships with ideal clients.
Which brings us to… the ROI of marketing.
4. The ROI of Marketing: Is It Worth It?
At this point, you may be wondering what the return on investment actually looks like. The impact of marketing isn’t always immediate, but when done right, it leads to steady growth and stronger relationships with your ideal clients.
Marketing isn’t just about short-term sales—it’s about long-term business growth. When done right, it:
Brings in consistent leads and new customers.
Establishes your brand as an authority in your industry.
Builds trust, making sales easier over time.
Differentiates you from competitors.
Investing in marketing is investing in sustainable success. The businesses that commit to long-term marketing strategies don’t just drive sales—they create a loyal customer base that keeps coming back.
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