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Definitions on Marketing

Marketing can be a complex field, and we understand that sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the jargon. That's why we've curated a comprehensive collection of the most commonly used marketing terms and concepts. Have a definition recommendation? Send us a note.

Definitions

A

A.I.D.A
Intro
AIDA is an acronym that stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. It is a marketing concept that describes a common pattern of consumer behavior in response to advertising or other forms of promotion. The idea is that an effective advertisement or promotional message will first capture the attention of the audience, then generate interest in the product or service being offered, create a desire for it, and finally motivate the audience to take some sort of action, such as making a purchase or requesting more information. By following this pattern, businesses can create more effective marketing campaigns and increase their chances of success. Read more about A.I.D.A

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Account Based Marketing (ABM)
Intro
Account Based Marketing (ABM) is a strategic approach to marketing that focuses on engaging with high-value accounts and customers. Unlike traditional marketing methods that aim to reach as many people as possible, ABM is all about targeting specific, high-value accounts and tailoring your marketing efforts to them. Read more about Account Based Marketing (ABM)

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Affiliate Marketing
Intro
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing where an advertiser pays a commission to affiliates for promoting their products. The affiliate earns money by promoting the advertiser's products and driving sales through their unique affiliate link. This link contains a code that tracks sales and commissions, so the affiliate can receive payment for their efforts. Read more about Affiliate Marketing

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B

Buyer (User) Persona
Intro
A summary of your ideal buyer, based on market research, data, and hypothesis. The representation helps marketers define their ideal audience and helps salespeople determine lead quality. Read more about Buyer (User) Persona

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C

ClickThrough Rate (CTR)
Intro
Clickthrough rate (CTR) is a measure of the effectiveness of an online advertisement or email campaign. It is calculated by dividing the number of clicks on the ad or email by the number of times it is shown (impressions), expressed as a percentage. Read more about ClickThrough Rate (CTR)

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Closed-Loop Marketing
Intro
Closed-loop marketing is a data-driven approach to marketing that helps businesses optimize their marketing efforts and improve their return on investment. It is a feedback-based system that allows companies to measure the success of their marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions to improve future campaigns. Read more about Closed-Loop Marketing

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Competitive Set Analysis (CompSet Analysis)
Intro
The goal of a CompSet Analysis, short for "Competitive Set Analysis," is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape, identify opportunities and threats, and formulate informed strategies to improve the organization's competitive position. Read more about Competitive Set Analysis (CompSet Analysis)

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Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
Intro
Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is the process of improving the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action, such as filling out a form or making a purchase. Read more about Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

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Corporate Identity
Intro
Corporate identity is the visual representation of a company's brand, including its logo, color palette, typography, and other design elements. It is used to create a consistent and recognizable image for the company, and helps to differentiate it from its competitors. Read more about Corporate Identity

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Cost-Based Pricing
Intro
Cost-based pricing is a pricing strategy in which the price of a product or service is determined by adding a markup to the cost of producing or delivering it. This approach takes into account the various costs associated with the product or service, such as materials, labor, and overhead, and adds a profit margin to determine the final price. Cost-based pricing is a common approach in businesses that operate on thin margins or have a high level of competition, as it allows them to set prices that are competitive while still covering their costs and generating a profit. However, it can be challenging to determine the appropriate markup, and may not always result in the most profitable or competitive pricing strategy. Read more about Cost-Based Pricing

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Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
Intro
Customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the total cost that a business incurs in order to acquire a new customer. This includes all of the marketing and sales expenses associated with attracting, converting, and retaining customers, such as advertising, sales commissions, and customer service. CAC is typically calculated by dividing the total marketing and sales costs for a given period by the number of new customers acquired during that period. For example, if a business spends $100,000 on marketing and sales in a month and acquires 100 new customers, its CAC would be $1,000. CAC is an important metric for businesses, as it provides insight into the efficiency and effectiveness of their customer acquisition efforts. It can be used to compare the cost of acquiring customers through different channels or campaigns, and can help businesses identify areas for improvement. Read more about Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

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D

Demographics
Intro
In marketing, demographics refer to the statistical characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, income, education level, and geographic location. These characteristics are used to group individuals into specific categories, which can be useful for identifying potential customers and understanding their needs and preferences. Demographics are often used in market research and targeting, as they provide valuable insights into the makeup of a particular market and can help companies tailor their products and marketing messages to specific groups of consumers. Read more about Demographics

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Direct Competition
Intro
In marketing, direct competition refers to the competition between companies that offer similar products or services to the same target market. These companies are considered to be direct competitors because they are competing for the same customers and their products or services are substitutes for one another. Direct competition is an important concept in marketing because it helps companies to understand the market and develop strategies to differentiate themselves from their competitors. This can include things like pricing, branding, and product development. Read more about Direct Competition

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Direct Mail
Intro
Direct mail is a type of marketing where businesses send physical promotional materials, such as advertisements, to potential customers through the mail. This can include items like postcards, letters, catalogs, and other types of promotional materials. Direct mail is typically targeted to specific groups of customers based on factors like location, demographics, and previous purchasing behavior. The goal of direct mail is to encourage recipients to take a specific action, such as visiting a store or website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter. Read more about Direct Mail

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Direct Marketing
Intro
Direct marketing is a form of advertising where businesses communicate directly with potential customers through a variety of channels, such as email, text messages, social media, websites, and phone calls. This type of marketing is designed to be personalized and targeted to individual customers, with the goal of generating a direct response or action from the recipient. Unlike more general forms of advertising, such as television or print ads, direct marketing is designed to be highly specific and targeted to a specific group of customers. This allows businesses to target their marketing efforts and measure the effectiveness of their campaigns more accurately. Read more about Direct Marketing

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Display Advertising
Intro
Display advertising is a form of online advertising that uses images and text to promote a business's products or services. Display ads can appear on a variety of websites and platforms, including social media, news sites, and blogs. Read more about Display Advertising

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E

Engagement Rate
Intro
Engagement rate is a metric that is used to measure the level of interaction and involvement that a marketing campaign or piece of content is able to generate from its target audience. It is typically calculated by dividing the number of likes, comments, shares, or other types of interactions by the number of followers or impressions, and then multiplying that number by 100 to express it as a percentage. Read more about Engagement Rate

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I

Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
Intro
In the world of marketing and sales, the ability to effectively target your audience is crucial to success. The ideal customer profile, or ICP, is a comprehensive understanding of your ideal customer that is used to guide your marketing and sales efforts. This profile includes information such as demographics, behaviors, motivations, and goals, allowing you to tailor your messages and offerings to better resonate with your target audience. Read more about Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

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Inbound Marketing
Intro
Inbound marketing is a type of marketing strategy that focuses on attracting, engaging, and delighting customers through relevant and valuable content and experiences. It is designed to draw potential customers in, rather than actively reaching out to them like traditional outbound marketing methods such as cold calling and advertising. Read more about Inbound Marketing

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K

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
Intro
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are metrics used to measure the success of a business or a specific aspect of its operations. They are essential tools for decision making, as they provide insights into the health of a business and help identify areas for improvement. Read more about Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

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Key Results Areas (KRAs)
Intro
Key Results Areas (KRAs) are specific, measurable goals that organizations set to track progress and drive results. They are a critical component of effective business planning and decision making, as they provide a clear understanding of what success looks like for an organization. Read more about Key Results Areas (KRAs)

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L

Lead
Intro
A lead is defined as an individual or organization that has shown interest in your product or service through some form of engagement, such as filling out a contact form on your website or attending one of your webinars. This initial interest is the first step towards building a relationship with the lead and turning them into a customer. Read more about Lead

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Lead Generation
Intro
Lead generation is the process of identifying and cultivating potential customers for a business's products or services. In marketing, lead generation involves creating and nurturing relationships with potential customers, with the goal of eventually converting them into paying customers. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as email marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). The goal of lead generation is to generate a list of qualified leads that can be pursued by a sales team, with the ultimate goal of driving revenue for the business. Read more about Lead Generation

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Lead Nurturing
Intro
Lead nurturing is the process of building and maintaining relationships with potential customers, with the goal of eventually converting them into paying customers. In marketing, lead nurturing involves providing valuable and relevant content to potential customers at various stages of the sales funnel, in order to move them closer to a purchase decision. Read more about Lead Nurturing

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Lead Qualification
Intro
Lead qualification is the process of identifying which leads are most likely to convert into paying customers. In marketing, lead qualification involves evaluating the characteristics of a lead, such as their need for the product or service, their budget, their decision-making authority, and their readiness to make a purchase. By evaluating these factors, businesses can determine which leads are most likely to close, and focus their sales efforts on those leads. Lead qualification helps businesses to prioritize their sales efforts and allocate their resources more efficiently, by focusing on leads that are most likely to convert. It can also help businesses to identify potential challenges or objections that a lead may have, and address those issues early on in the sales process. Read more about Lead Qualification

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Lifetime Customer Value (LTV)
Intro
Lifetime customer value (LTV) is a marketing metric that represents the total value that a customer is expected to generate for a business over the course of their relationship with the company. It is typically calculated by multiplying the average purchase value by the number of purchases per year, and then multiplying that number by the average customer lifespan. Read more about Lifetime Customer Value (LTV)

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M

Marketing Plan
Intro
A marketing plan is a comprehensive roadmap for your marketing efforts. It outlines your goals, strategies, tactics, and budget for a set period of time, typically one year. A strong marketing plan is the cornerstone of a successful marketing strategy and helps ensure that your efforts are aligned with your overall business goals. Read more about Marketing Plan

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Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL)
Intro
A marketing qualified lead (MQL) is a potential customer who has demonstrated interest in a company's products or services and meets certain criteria that make them more likely to become a paying customer. MQLs are typically identified and tracked by marketing teams as part of their lead generation efforts. Read more about Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL)

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P

Paid Media
Intro
Paid media offers businesses a variety of benefits, including increased visibility, better targeting, measurable results, and cost-effectiveness. By leveraging paid search, social media advertising, display advertising, and sponsored content, businesses can reach new audiences, increase brand awareness, and ultimately drive more conversions. Read more about Paid Media

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Public Relations (PR)
Intro
Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing the spread of information between an organization and its stakeholders. In marketing, PR involves creating and maintaining relationships with the media, in order to promote a positive image of the business and its products or services. PR can be an effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and build brand awareness. PR can involve a variety of activities, such as press releases, media relations, social media management, and events. The goal of PR is to shape public perception of a business and its products or services, and to build and maintain a positive reputation for the business. Read more about Public Relations (PR)

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S

S.W.O.T. Analysis
Intro
Discover the power of S.W.O.T. Analysis for your business. Learn about its definition, how to conduct a S.W.O.T. Analysis, and see real-life examples to understand its impact. Boost your decision-making process with S.W.O.T. Read more about S.W.O.T. Analysis

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Serviced Available Market (SAM)
Intro
Serviced Available Market (SAM) is a term used in marketing to refer to the portion of the Total Available Market (TAM) that a company can realistically target with its products or services. It represents the portion of the market that a company can effectively serve, based on its resources, capabilities, and other factors. Read more about Serviced Available Market (SAM)

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Share of Market (SOM)
Intro
Share of Market (SOM) is a term used in marketing to refer to the percentage of the total market for a product or service that a company controls. It represents the proportion of the market that a company's products or services account for, relative to the total market size. Read more about Share of Market (SOM)

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T

Total Addressable Market (TAM)
Intro
Total Addressable Market (TAM), also known as Total Available Market, is a key concept in business strategy and market analysis. It refers to the total size of a market that a company can target and potentially serve. TAM is a critical factor in determining a company's growth potential and is used to evaluate the potential size of a market and the potential revenue a company could generate from that market. Read more about Total Addressable Market (TAM)

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