When you think of marketing, what comes to mind? I'm guessing things like email newsletters, online ads, billboards, SEO, and social media. When you ask most marketers what marketing is, they'll list the same things! But the elements I just listed are just one pillar of marketing: Promotion. These elements are (relatively) easy and these services pay marketers quickly with low effort, but like how a cake needs more than just flour to be a cake, your marketing plan needs more than just promotion! Commonly referred to as the 7 Ps of marketing, these Seven Pillars of marketing help to answer the who, what, where, and how questions of growing your business! -PRODUCT: what you sell and who exactly it's for. -PRICE: what communicates status and the perceived value of your offer to your customer. -PLACE: how, when, and where customers can access your offer. -PROMOTION: how you tell the world your business exists. -PEOPLE: the human element of your business, including yourself, your staff, and how things are worded. -PROCESS: how people experience your business, including the delivery of your offer and how your staff is trained. -PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: the elements of your business that customers can see, feel, hear, or smell. Each one of these pillars is based on WHO you're selling to. All of these elements change between Ruth's Chris Steak House and your local McDonald's. Ruth's Chris has premium prices, beautiful music, professionally trained staff, and flower petals on the table. McDonald's has a cheap menu, hires the local high schoolers, and aims to get customers in and out as fast as possible. Both utilize the Seven Pillars differently. Both businesses are successful even though they target different crowds. Who is your business targeting?