Neil Patel and Internet marketing consultant very effectively visually illustrates The Difference Between Marketing, PR, Advertising, and Personal Branding .
For the past few years whenever I talk about branding with other contractors I try to emphasize something a quote I picked up on regarding Branding in a Remodeling Magazine article two years ago (Brand Aid Remodeling Magazine October 1, 2005):
I think a lot of contractors instead confuse Branding with hype and what is in essence self-aggrandizing blatant self-promotion and the lesson we get from Neil Patel’s illustration is that your pitching that message over and over again isn’t really Branding but is instead what we call Advertising. Hyping to a client what a “great” contractor your are (a great lover) doesn’t really come off as authentic and genuine when it’s coming out of your own mouth.
However when that potential client hears that message coming from someone else it it does comes off as authentic and genuine and strikes a cord and helps build your Brand.