Dear O'Abby: What's the difference between marketing and publicity?

 Dear O’Abby,

 Dear O'Abby,

My first book will be published soon and I want to get a head start on my publicity and marketing etc.  It’s something entirely new to me, and I was wondering if you could explain the difference between the two?  I’m kind of confused about it because the two words seem to be used almost interchangeably, yet I feel like they must have specific meanings.  Am I correct?

 

Thanks so much.

 

Publibumble

 

Dear Publibumble (great name, BTW),

 

There are indeed differences between publicity and marketing.  Basically, marketing refers to activity you do that is paid for while publicity is the stuff you do to elevate your visibility and is generally unpaid.  Publicity is things like author interviews in the media or reviews.  You can’t pay for these things (well, some people do ask you to, but it’s unethical) so people tend to trust them more than advertisements.  Publicity doesn’t  

 

Marketing also tends to be more targeted because you are directing the material at a specific audience by sending them emails, newsletters or targeted ads.  The benefit of marketing is that you are in control of what gets said.

 

Both are important and work together to get the word out to the world about your book.

 

Hope that helps!

 

X O’Abby