Publicity, Marketing and Branding: The Three Forces That Make or Break a Business

What do Nike, Oprah, and that viral cat video have in common?

They all cracked the code – intentionally or not – on getting seen, heard, and remembered.

Nike launched with a swoosh and a slogan that stuck. Oprah built a brand on trust and heart. And the cat?

It just knew how to steal the spotlight.

If you’re wondering why your business isn’t getting noticed, it might not be your product. It might be your visibility game.

Let’s break this down without the fluff.

So What’s the Difference, Really?

You’ve heard these words a thousand times. But here’s how they actually play out in the real world:

Publicity is what the world says about you.

You didn’t ask for it, but suddenly you’re being talked about – a mention on a blog, a shoutout on a podcast, or a customer posting about your product. You didn’t pay for it, but it’s working.

Think: Oprah casually calls your candle brand her “new favourite.” Boom. Sold out overnight.

Marketing is what you say about yourself.

It’s the plan. The message. The effort to reach your people on purpose, not by chance.

Like running Facebook ads for your new coaching program with a message that hits right where your audience feels it.

Branding is your vibe.

It’s not your logo – it’s how your brand makes people feel. It’s the tone of your content, the attitude of your brand, and the personality that sticks with people long after they close the tab.

Think Apple: minimal, polished, aspirational. Even the box feels like an experience.

You Can’t Afford to Ignore Any of Them

Here’s a true-to-life scenario:

An entrepreneur launches a natural skincare line. A local influencer raves about it on TikTok. Sales skyrocket.

For a week.

Then… nothing. Sales vanish. Site traffic drops. Why?

While the publicity hit the mark, her marketing couldn’t hold attention. The site was confusing. The offer was vague. Her emails felt like spam.

And her branding? Generic. Forgettable. Visitors bounced and never came back.

She had the spotlight – but didn’t have the stage ready.

Publicity is the spark. Marketing is the wind. Branding is the fire that keeps it all burning.

So How Do You Get These Three Working for You?

1. Craft a Brand People Actually Feel

Skip the “we strive to be the best” nonsense. What do you really want people to feel when they find you? Inspired? Confident? Understood?

Be consistent – voice, colours, visuals, attitude. And don’t be afraid to be distinct.

If your brand is bold and fun, why are you using bland corporate stock photos and formal email templates? Loosen up.

2. Get Your Marketing in Gear

Know who you’re talking to. Know what keeps them up at night. Speak directly to that – and tell them what to do next.

Use content, emails, ads, lead magnets – whatever fits. But make it tight, focused, and real.

Example: “Download our 5-minute checklist to stop wasting money on ads that don’t convert.” Feels better than “Sign up for our newsletter,” right?

3. Be Publicity-Worthy

Create buzz-worthy moments. Pitch your story to podcast hosts, local journalists, and micro-influencers. Be easy to find. Easy to feature.

Better yet – be helpful, insightful, or generous in public spaces. That’s how the right people notice you.

The Real Magic? When They Work Together

Picture this:

• Your brand feels authentic and memorable.
• Your marketing works like a magnet.
• Your publicity puts you in rooms you didn’t even know existed.
• That’s how brands go from background noise to front-page news.

Which One’s Slowing You Down Right Now?

If growth feels slow, the problem isn’t always what you’re doing – it’s what you’re missing.

• Are you visible but forgettable?
• Known, but not trusted?
• Getting traffic, but not turning it into results?

Now’s the time to fix that.

Because when publicity, marketing, and branding align, you don’t just grow.

You become unstoppable.

Want to master all three in one place?

Jump into our free training at https://www.wignaledwards.com/internet-business-school and learn how to turn attention into action and action into momentum.

Let’s make your business the one everyone’s talking about.