Advertising and marketing are the ability to identify and match human and social needs. Marketers’ work is to understand the consumers’ needs, stimulate their demand, and provide a solution that brings value to both sides. The marketing field has changed a lot since its introduction to the internet. Five decades ago, people used posters and even word of mouth to spread the word about products and services. Today, we use the internet through social media, emails, and online advertising to help promote our businesses. Technology has transformed the way people do business, access, and share information. Here is how big brand advertising and marketing have evolved.
The Beginning
Researchers believe that the first signs of advertising date back to 2000 BC with the ancient Egyptians’ steel carvings. However, the first print appeared in 1472 when William Caxton printed ads for books. In 1705, the first newspaper ad was published U.S. Fast forward to 1835, and the first U.S billboards displayed circus posters. In 1892, the Sears Company became the first to personalize adverts through direct mail. The company launched a direct mail campaign with 8000 postcards and earned 2000 new orders.
Golden Age
Advertising became popular in the early 1900s when it moved to radio and television. The best thing about this form of advertising is that it spoke directly to the people, making it more personalized. In 1930, personalized advertising took another forward step to introduce the Unique Selling Proposition (USP). USP described how businesses could solve customer solutions by being specific and highly personalized. In 1935, George Gallup introduced market research, which allowed business owners or marketers to gather more information about consumers to better relate with them. The public began to feel optimistic, and businesses began to use their money to advertise. This era became the time for big ideas and huge personalities.
Online Advertising
After the golden age came the online period that introduced new channels and mediums. Instead of selling, advertising in this period focused more on brand awareness and problem-solving. The product and service were no longer the centerpieces of advertising. Since the internet took off in 1992, advertisers jumped all over to take advantage of this new opportunity to reach customers. Companies began to shift their attention to more digital ads. In 2000, advertising began its evolution to mobile marketing. With the introduction of smartphones, the internet became more accessible. Business owners then shifted their attention to mobile app ads instead of mobile web browsers. The only thing left is for businesses to incorporate more features in their mobile ads to provide customers with a more personalized and engaging user experience.
In this era, focus on your customers. Ensure your marketing meets your clients’ needs, not just your company’s needs. Research online foradditional resources on how to best advertise your business.
