So, you’ve set up your business. You’ve got a name, maybe a logo, and you’re ready to take on the world. But now you’re thinking… okay, I need marketing.
And suddenly it feels like someone just dropped you into a conversation in a foreign language. Funnels? SEO? Impressions? Conversions? Yikes.
Breathe. You’re in the right place. MarCom Uncomplicated is all about making marketing feel doable—even if you’ve never taken a business class in your life.
Let’s start at the beginning.
What Is Marketing?
Here’s the simplest definition I use: Marketing is how you connect your business with the people who need what you offer.
That’s it.
It’s about understanding who your customers are, what they need, and how you can show up in the right place, at the right time, with the right message. And while that might sound a little abstract now, I promise—it’s not as complicated as it seems.
In fact, you’ve probably been marketing without even realizing it.
Everyday Examples of Marketing (That Don’t Feel Like Marketing)
Have you ever:
- Posted on Facebook to invite friends to your kid’s school play so the audience wouldn’t be empty?
- Sent out a text to get the word out about a community fundraiser?
- Shared a glowing recommendation about a local coffee shop with your book club?
- Helped your niece sell Girl Scout cookies (and maybe bought a few too many boxes yourself)?
Yup. That’s marketing in the wild. You were connecting something valuable with the people who might want it, getting the word out, and helping create interest, build awareness, and drive action.
Sounds familiar, right?
Let’s Break Down a Few Key Marketing Terms
Marketing doesn’t need to feel like a textbook. But there are a few basics you’ll hear often, so let’s give them a plain-English breakdown:
The Marketing Mix (aka The Four P’s)
This is a classic marketing model—and don’t worry, it’s not scary. The 4 P’s are just a framework to help you think about your business.
- Product – What are you selling? A physical item, a service, a subscription?
- Price – How much does it cost, and how are you positioning that price? Are you affordable, premium, somewhere in between?
- Place – Where are you selling? Online, in a storefront, at pop-up markets, on Etsy?
- Promotion – How are you getting the word out? Social media, flyers, email, partnerships?
Together, these help you plan how you’ll connect with your customers in a way that makes sense for your business.
Digital vs. Traditional Marketing
You’ll hear these terms a lot, so let’s simplify:
- Digital Marketing = anything that happens online. Think social media, email campaigns, websites, search engine optimization (SEO), Google Ads.
- Traditional Marketing = all the stuff you grew up with. Billboards. Radio. TV commercials. Flyers on your windshield. Print ads in your local paper.
Both can work! It depends on your audience and where they spend their time. Check out this article on Unlocking Your Brand’s Potential to think more about your audience and building out your brand before you dive in to promote it.
Why Marketing Matters (Even If You’re Just Getting Started)
Marketing isn’t about being flashy or pushy. It’s about helping the right people find you.
You could have the best product or service in the world, but if no one knows it exists? That’s a problem.
Marketing is what bridges that gap. It’s how you match your offer to your audience. It’s how you build trust, show up consistently, and grow the business you’re dreaming of.
Don’t Skip Strategy (Even If You’re Eager to Get Going)
Here’s a big tip from your marketing bestie! It’s super tempting to jump straight into tactics—start posting on Instagram, run a quick Google ad, throw together an email newsletter.
And honestly? That enthusiasm is awesome. But without a strategy, those efforts can fizzle fast, draw in the wrong audience, get you a lot of spam.
Think of strategy as your roadmap. It keeps you focused, saves you money, and helps you figure out what’s working and what’s not.
Stick with me, and I’ll help you build that roadmap step-by-step in upcoming posts.
You’ve Got This (And I’ve Got You)
Marketing might not be your comfort zone (yet), but with a little guidance and a lot of encouragement, you can absolutely do this. You care about your business. You want it to grow. That’s all the experience you need to get started.