Marketing is a complex area and one that is changing as fast as technology is evolving. What was once considered traditional is becoming obsolete as new forms of marketing evolve to match the dynamic world of today. Four distinct types of marketing can easily be identified:

Traditional Marketing

This type of marketing is most closely associated with the offline world, namely radio ads, billboards, magazine spreads, and television commercials. While these methods of marketing have changed less in the last few years than other types, they have not disappeared. In fact, many large brands have still relied heavily on these platforms to market their products.

Newer methods of marketing have replaced some of these traditional approaches. Radio ads and billboards, for example, can be considered “channels” that are part of the larger digital marketing landscape. The same goes for magazine spreads and television commercials. Social media platforms, such as blogs and YouTube videos, are also a form of traditional marketing and can be used to great effect. Platforms like these allow businesses to connect with potential customers who would otherwise have been difficult to reach.

Digital Marketing

The most widely known type of marketing on the internet is known as “digital marketing.” This includes any marketing activity that takes place online, such as social media marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and email marketing. While some marketers may still prefer to call this type of marketing “online marketing,” it is officially referred to as “digital marketing”.

These days, any type of marketing can be considered “digital” if it involves using digital tools, such as social media platforms or email marketing programs, to reach potential customers. Offline marketing methods, such as magazine spreads, billboards, and radio ads, can also be considered “digital,” as can the visual components of TV commercials. So, while traditional marketing is most closely associated with the offline world, digital marketing includes all of the various methods of marketing that take place in the online world.

Product Marketing

Product marketing is, in many ways, the polar opposite of traditional marketing. Rather than focusing on bringing in customers, product marketing focuses on bringing in goods. A highly successful product marketer will often identify a need for a product, develop a pitch to address that need, and then find a way to market the product, whether it’s through advertising, sales reps, or even social media.

Product marketing is most closely associated with the world of commerce, whether online or offline. While some, especially in the B2C (Business to Consumer) space, may still consider product marketing to be a sub-type of traditional marketing, this is definitely not the case. Product marketers, and the businesses that employ them, often work in a commercial setting.

Marketing Optimization

Whether you are a marketer, sales professional, or somebody who just wants to better understand marketing, you will eventually come across a phrase that makes you think “Huh?” Marketing optimization, or “marketing execution,” is the process of improving marketing performance by making small changes to tactics and then measuring the effects of those changes.

Marketing optimization is a broad area and can involve a variety of tactics, such as A/B testing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), email marketing, and social media. In essence, marketing optimization is the process of continuously testing, measuring, and analyzing marketing activity to determine exactly how and why a particular marketing strategy (or tactic) is or is not effective. This is a wide-reaching process that involves constantly evaluating performance, improving methods, and measuring results.

The Evolving Face Of Marketing

In today’s world, marketing is a constantly changing entity. The following will define and explain the various types of marketing that you may come across, as well as give you an idea of how each type of marketing evolved over time.

1. Traditional Marketing

This type of marketing is most closely associated with the offline world, namely radio ads, billboards, magazine spreads, and television commercials. While these methods of marketing have changed less in the last few years than other types, they have not disappeared. In fact, many large brands have still relied heavily on these platforms to market their products.

Newer methods of marketing have replaced some of these traditional approaches. Radio ads and billboards, for example, can be considered “channels” that are part of the larger digital marketing landscape. The same goes for magazine spreads and television commercials. Social media platforms, such as blogs and YouTube videos, are also a form of traditional marketing and can be used to great effect. Platforms like these allow businesses to connect with potential customers who would otherwise have been difficult to reach.

2. Digital Marketing

The most widely known type of marketing on the internet is known as “digital marketing.” This includes any marketing activity that takes place online, such as social media marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and email marketing. While some marketers may still prefer to call this type of marketing “online marketing,” it is officially referred to as “digital marketing.”

These days, any type of marketing can be considered “digital” if it involves using digital tools, such as social media platforms or email marketing programs, to reach potential customers. Offline marketing methods, such as magazine spreads, billboards, and radio ads can also be considered “digital,” as can the visual components of TV commercials. So, while traditional marketing is most closely associated with the offline world, digital marketing includes all of the various methods of marketing that take place in the online world.

3. Product Marketing

Product marketing is, in many ways, the polar opposite of traditional marketing. Rather than focusing on bringing in customers, product marketing focuses on bringing in goods. A highly successful product marketer will often identify a need for a product, develop a pitch to address that need, and then find a way to market the product, whether it’s through advertising, sales reps, or even social media.

Product marketing is most closely associated with the world of commerce, whether online or offline. While some, especially in the B2C (Business to Consumer) space, may still consider product marketing to be a sub-type of traditional marketing, this is definitely not the case. Product marketers, and the businesses that employ them, often work in a commercial setting.

4. Marketing Optimization

Marketing optimization, or “marketing execution,” is the process of improving marketing performance by making small changes to tactics and then measuring the effects of those changes.

Marketing optimization is a broad area and can involve a variety of tactics, such as A/B testing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), email marketing, and social media. In essence, marketing optimization is the process of continuously testing, measuring, and analyzing marketing activity to determine exactly how and why a particular marketing strategy (or tactic) is or is not effective. This is a wide-reaching process that involves constantly evaluating performance, improving methods, and measuring results.