In the realm of marketing, there’s a classic concept called the four Ps: product, price, place and promotion. Also known as the “marketing mix,” these key factors make up the necessary components for executing a successful marketing plan. Show But in today’s world of rising consumer expectations and hyper-personalization, it’s necessary to add a fifth P if you want to implement a customer-centric business model: people. A Quick History of the 4 Ps of MarketingThe four Ps were originally developed by professor and author Edmund Jerome McCarthy. Classifying essential marketing activities into four unique categories was revolutionary thinking in the “Mad Men” era. It enabled marketers to gain insight into consumer behaviors and improve best practices by incorporating cutting-edge (at the time, at least) concepts from sociology and psychology into their day-to-day work. Put simply, in order to be successful and outperform the competition, brands needed to provide desirable products or services, sell them at an appealing price, position them in the right places and promote them using attention-grabbing tactics. Understanding the 5 Ps of MarketingProductProducts — either tangible goods or intangible services — must fulfill the needs and/or desires of the buying public. It’s imperative for companies to determine which aspects of their products are important to consumer perception (emotional, physical or mental) and will impact purchase decisions. The unique value proposition of the product and its various benefits — tailored to a targeted customer base, of course — need to be easily understood. PriceOnce the basics of the product offering are established, pricing becomes a priority. Price drives profit alongside supply, demand and overall marketing strategy. It’s important that it’s linked to the perceived value of the product rather than an objective cost. Only by understanding how a customer views a product can brands determine a pricing strategy and clearly differentiate their own products from those of competitors. PlaceThe expression “location, location, location” applies to a lot more than real estate. Placement massively influences the success of marketing, especially if consumers aren’t actively staying up to date on your offerings. When people want something, they’re guided by what’s currently available to them — and it’s even better if it’s right in front of them. That makes getting the placement and timing of a marketing campaign right essential. PromotionAfter you know where and when to promote a product, it’s time to turn ideas into action. Promotion may include digital and traditional advertising — from online ads to radio and television commercials — as well as email & social media marketing, search engine optimization and more. Mapping out the customer journey helps brands zero in on the customer motivations, key events and potential areas of friction inherent in the buyer’s journey. The goal is to optimize each and every touchpoint to maximize return on investment. PeopleFour Ps may have been all well and good in 1960, but, to put it mildly, times have changed. Even back then, it was clear that people — their characteristics, behaviors and preferences — were the through line across the four Ps of marketing. That’s what makes the fifth P the most important. To truly stand out, brands must make customers — and their long-term satisfaction — the heart of everything they do. Mastering the 5 Ps of MarketingDigital transformation has made it easier than ever for consumers to pick and choose which brands get their money. It’s also leveled the playing field for upstart businesses that want to take on established companies. The end result is this: It’s a buyer’s market, and shoppers expect brands to go the extra mile in terms of providing relevant, customized customer experiences. Most marketers agree they now compete mostly on the basis of CX, and 75% of consumers say they’ll spend more money to buy from brands that deliver better customer experiences than the competition. Customer centricity is essential to modern marketing — both for getting shoppers through the door and keeping them coming back for more — and high-quality customer data is what makes it possible. Luckily for today’s marketers, they have access to a goldmine of customer information that would have been unthinkable when the four Ps of marketing were first introduced. Whether brands want to boost customer lifetime value, increase speed to market or simply enhance the operational efficiency of their marketing efforts, they need to put people at the center of their strategies. But in order to deliver the customer experiences today’s consumers demand, they need the tools necessary to access, analyze and take action on customer data. Learn MoreDownload our 2022 Customer Data Platform Guide (or simply contact our experts) to learn how a CDP can help you master the 5 Ps of marketing. The marketing mix, also known as the four P's of marketing, refers to the four key elements of a marketing strategy: product, price, place and promotion. By paying attention to the following four components of the marketing mix, a business can maximize its chances of a product being recognized and bought by customers:
The four P's are linked and work together. While various marketing concepts have been developed over time, the four P's are the basis for every successful marketing strategy. The following is a breakdown of each P with examples. ProductProducts are commodities and services that solve problems and satisfy the needs of consumers. A product can be tangible, such as a vehicle or a piece of clothing, or intangible, such as a cruise or house cleaning service. A successful product either fills a void in the marketplace or offers a unique experience that spikes demand. Example. Before the iPhone was launched, most consumers did not realize the need for a phone that would let them access everything at their fingertips. The way Apple marketed its product compelled people to simplify their lives by carrying a smartphone that could also serve as a GPS, calendar, search engine, flashlight, weather guide and calculator. Questions to ask. Before marketing a product, it is important to understand it intimately. This includes discovering details about the target audience and its preferences. The following are some questions to answer before developing a product:
PricePrice is the cost of the product that the consumer pays. During product marketing, it is important to set a price that reflects the current market trends and is affordable for consumers, yet at the same time is profitable for the business. Price can fluctuate based on the supply and demand and the product's sales cycle. While some businesses might lower the price to compete with the market, others might inflate it -- especially if they are promoting a luxury brand. Example. Price points play a vital role in making a product successful. For example, if a product is overpriced, only a few consumers will purchase it. Conversely, a product that is priced too low can give consumers an impression of inferior quality, thus preventing them from purchasing it. Questions to ask. To determine the most profitable price for a product, it is important to study the target audience and what they are willing to pay for that product. The following are some questions to answer before establishing a product pricing strategy:
PlaceThis is where and how the product or service is purchased by the customers. It also entails where the product is stored and manufactured. Digital transformation has evolved how products are sold -- online, small local shops or global producers. This marketing plan also considers where the product is advertised and in which format, such as magazines, online ads, radio, infomercials or film product placements. Example. The place is where the product is marketed and distributed from. For example, when targeting a product to seniors, it would be wise to not market it on TikTok. Similarly, products targeting the younger generations would gain more attention if they were promoted online and on social media platforms. Questions to ask. Not every place is suitable for marketing and distributing a product. As such, it is important to distribute products and meet customer needs in a place that is easily accessible. The following are some questions to consider before deciding on a place to market a product:
PromotionPromotion refers to reaching the target audience with the right message at the right time. It gets the word out and is an effective way to conduct a sales promotion and connect with consumers. A promotional strategy aims to show consumers why they would need a certain product and the reasons for buying it over other products. The core of marketing communications, product promotions push out specific and meaningful advertising through popular channels: word-of-mouth seeding, social networking, Instagram campaigns, print marketing, television commercials, email marketing campaigns, social media marketing and more. Example. Timing can play an influential role in promotional marketing. Take, for example, the football season during which pizza delivery deals are targeted during games. This entices consumers to try new products they may not have enjoyed otherwise. Questions to ask. For a product to be successful, setting the best price or being a great product offering is not enough. Promotion is the main ingredient in the marketing mix that can distribute the product to the masses. Therefore, the promotional messages should always cater to the target audience as well as to the distribution channels. The following are some questions to consider when thinking about a promotional strategy:
The origins of the marketing mix date back to 1960, when it was first introduced in E. Jerome McCarthy's best-seller Basic Marketing - A Managerial Approach. Later, Harvard professor Neil Borden formalized the term marketing mix in his 1964 article, "The Concept of the Marketing Mix." Borden explained his idea was inspired by his associate, James Culliton, who compared successful marketers to professional chefs. Culliton's analogy was that great chefs -- like successful marketers -- work off a recipe but are always willing to experiment with new ingredients and make changes on the fly in response to market conditions and customer demand. According to Borden, some of the forces that can alter a marketing mix include consumer motivation for shopping, the competitive landscape and government regulations. The four P's have stood the test of time, and despite the rapid digitalization, they still hold value in the marketing world due to their strong foundational principles. A typical marketing mix is made up of the four P's. However, several newer iterations of the four P's have been developed over the years. Below are a few popular marketing mix alternatives. Booms' and Bitner's seven P's. Professors Bernard Booms and Mary Jo Bitner presented the seven P's of marketing in 1981. The seven P's are also sometimes referred to as the extended marketing mix. They include the original four P's of marketing along with people, processes and physical evidence. Lauterborn's four C's. This approach, which educator and consultant Robert F. Lauterborn suggested in 1990, presents a more customer-centric approach that showcases different elements of the marketing mix from a buyer's perspective, rather than from a seller's viewpoint. It is comprised of the following elements:
Customer mix, or six C's. A fundamental overhaul of the traditional approaches, the six C's aims to address the needs of modern and customer-focused digital marketing strategies. This marketing mix consists of the four C's plus content and community. Reaching the target audience is an integral aspect of the marketing mix. Learn how to craft an effective multichannel marketing strategy. |