Signs and other visuals have always been a part of advertising.
The role of advertising is business promotion is integral. For a start-up business to succeed, good advertising techniques are needed to promote that business's products and services. Part of the marketing plan for any successful business, advertising is directly related to sales and is an integral part of promoting a business.
History
According to the Advertising Educational Foundation, advertising originated long before America was even colonized. Brought over by the Europeans in an organized form, advertising started in the 16th century with billboards, posters and traveling salesmen. In the late 19th century, the concept of the brand name was introduced. Advertising has a rich history as it relates to business promotion.
Advertising vs. Promotion
Advertising and promotion are two different functions that relate in the framework of business. While advertising is the introduction of a product or service, promotion is maintaining focus on that same product or service. Advertising utilizes newspapers, television and radio to create visual and audio messages about a specific product or service. Promotion can include advertising, but it can also include public relations and sales efforts, according to the Free Management Library (see Resources section for a link).
Public Relations
It is important to understand different areas of business promotion as they relate to advertising. Public relations differs from advertising in that it is a systematic and strategic effort to build a favorable image for the company. While advertising utilizes marketing strategies and exposure to entice customers to buy, public relations uses information to build awareness about the business and its purpose. Advertising and public relations can be implemented in concert.
Promoting Business
Promoting business is an important aspect of ensuring a business's long-term growth and success. Advertising helps to promote a business by creating awareness, interest and excitement about a particular product or service.
Warnings
In business promotion, it is always important to ensure that honest advertising techniques are employed. While most people assume that advertising is slightly fabricated, other people have a strong disdain for it, and even refuse to watch television because of the overbearing amount of advertising it contains. Advertising techniques can be amusing and entertaining, rather than pushy and demanding. Depending on your business and the image you want the public to have about it, you might consider implementing a feel-good advertising campaign (McDonald's does this well) before an aggressive, loud and annoying advertising campaign. You want to avoid the stigma and lack of professionalism of a small town car dealership commercial.
