3 ms·

Fred is confusing marketing with advertising. Advertising is one of many functions of marketing.

• kjhughes 16y ago
  That was Seth Godin's reaction, but I don't think it's that simple... Consider the context: 1. Fred doesn't write much about marketing. 2. Fred solicits blog topics. 3. Marketing-oriented masses demand marketing post. 4. Fred obliges, with "I believe that marketing is what you do when your product or service sucks..." 5. Marketing-oriented masses revolt. I busted out laughing when I read the start of his post given the background. Of course marketing is important. However, Fred has surfaced a feeling shared by many non-marketing professionals: Better to back a solid product than to try to market one's way to success with a mediocre one. Yes, both help. Yes, balance is important. ... but I have to say that his answer to the demands for a marketing post were hilariously based in a truth beyond marketing-vs-advertising.
• smeatish 16y ago
  Agreed. This post smacks of hubris too - it's fantastic that your social media investments have a viral loop built in, but good luck selling enterprise software without a customer acquisition cost. Maybe your enterprise software is so awesome that customers are beating down your door, but you still need salespeople to close. Very narrow thinking.
  • andrewtbham 16y ago
    from the article: "I'm not an expert on enteprise focused SAAS businesses. I am not going to address that part of the market here."