Advertising is a marketing tool used by companies and organizations to promote or sell their products and services to new customers in their target audience. Advertising is a primary component of an effective [marketing strategy](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/marketing-strategy-guide). It can take many different forms, from print advertising in magazines and newspapers to television and radio advertisements and outdoor advertising, such as billboards. Technology increased the advertising mediums available to companies to reach their target markets. Newer forms of advertising include [email marketing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/email-marketing-explained), social media ads, and digital advertising on search engines.
Though many conflate marketing and advertising, they have different definitions. Marketing entails researching, developing, and executing strategies to create campaigns that increase [brand awareness](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-brand-awareness-explained) and revenue. An advertising strategy is a component of the marketing campaign; advertising via multiple media platforms helps share information about the company’s brand and products to new target customers.
There are many different types of advertising, each serving a purpose in your effort to reach consumers. Some of the traditional forms of advertising include:

1. __Broadcast advertising__: Television ads and radio ads are media advertising formats known as broadcast advertising. Radio and television advertising remains among the most cost-effective means of connecting goods and services to a large and diverse demographic. Though satellite television allows many consumers to skip over traditional TV ads, companies still reach viewers through pop-up ads that appear during programming.
2. __Direct mail advertising__: Brochures, flyers, and other forms of printed materials sent in the mail are all forms of direct mail advertising. This strategy can be an effective way for [small businesses](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-starting-a-small-business) to inform new customers who have just moved to the area about your business.
3. __Outdoor advertising__: Billboards and advertisements on public transportation are forms of outdoor advertising. They typically feature bold images and limited text since the interactive period between a consumer and outdoor advertising is usually brief.
4. __Print advertising__: While some companies create printed advertisements like flyers or brochures, the term “print advertising” refers to print media ads like newspaper advertisements and magazine ads. This tactic can reach general audiences or specific demographics depending on the focus and circulation of the print media.
5. __Product placement advertising__: Marketing plans can include product placement advertising, which involves embedding goods or services in feature films or television programs. Product placement advertising is often subtle, with no direct mention of the goods or services save for their appearances on-screen. However, characters often use or consume the products as part of the storyline. 
6. __Word-of-mouth__: A low-cost means of reaching customers without an ad campaign, word-of-mouth advertising relies on consumers telling friends and family about their positive experiences with a company’s goods or services. Some companies incentivize customers to endorse their products with referral programs.
Also known as online advertising, digital advertising is any form of advertising on the internet, apps, or digital devices. Some of the most common digital advertising formats include:

1. __Display advertising__: With this digital marketing strategy, companies create pop-up ads and banner ads on websites to reach new audiences. These ads feature a clear [call to action](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-effective-call-to-action) (or CTA) that prompts users to click through to your website. After a user clicks the digital ad, you can utilize remarketing or retargeting tactics to continue to reach the customer with future advertising efforts. 
2. __Mobile advertising__: Any mobile device with internet connectivity, such as a smartphone or tablet, is a conduit for mobile advertising, allowing you to reach potential customers through digital advertising methods on apps. 
3. __Native advertising__: To employ this digital advertising technique, companies create sponsored articles that resemble other forms of content on a website. [Native advertising](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/native-advertising) appears within the flow of regular content on a site, downplaying its very nature as an ad. Advertisers and the websites that host native ads find this approach effective, as it allows for a more intuitive experience for users and avoids breaking up the flow of content with display ads. 
4. __Paid search advertising__: Also known as pay-per-click or PPC advertising, paid search advertising is a form of digital advertising that allows companies to bid on specific keywords relevant to their goods and services. Search engines then connect users to the advertising whenever they look for these words on search engines. This paid tactic complements organic [search engine optimization](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/seo-strategy-guide) (SEO) efforts.  
5. __Podcast advertising__: Podcasts can help you reach a more targeted audience than advertising on radio stations. [Podcast](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-podcast) hosts typically read the ad copy, which often includes a discount for potential customers who hear the podcast.
6. __Social media advertising__: Social media platforms gather demographic information that lets advertisers target specific audiences, allowing you to create cost-effective ad campaigns. You can also tap the online following of social media celebrities through influencer ads.
7. __Video advertising__: You can reach audiences on social media sites or streaming platforms with dynamic, engaging video ads. Some sites require users to play video ads before watching or engaging with other content, guaranteeing a certain number of views per ad.
Learn more about advertising and creativity from Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein. Break rules, change minds, and create the best work of your life with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com).
Advertising helps companies reach audiences and drive new business. Learn about the many types of advertising, from online marketing via social media platforms to traditional advertising like print ads.

Advertising helps companies reach audiences and drive new business. Learn about the many types of advertising, from online marketing via social media platforms to traditional advertising like print ads.

14 Types of Advertising: Effective Methods of Advertising

Advertising is a marketing tool used by companies and organizations to promote or sell their products and services to new customers in their target audience. Advertising is a primary component of an effective <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/marketing-strategy-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/marketing-strategy-guide","linkCopy":"marketing strategy","category":null}'>marketing strategy</a>. It can take many different forms, from print advertising in magazines and newspapers to television and radio advertisements and outdoor advertising, such as billboards. Technology increased the advertising mediums available to companies to reach their target markets. Newer forms of advertising include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/email-marketing-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/email-marketing-explained","linkCopy":"email marketing","category":null}'>email marketing</a>, social media ads, and digital advertising on search engines.

What Is Advertising?

Though many conflate marketing and advertising, they have different definitions. Marketing entails researching, developing, and executing strategies to create campaigns that increase <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-brand-awareness-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-brand-awareness-explained","linkCopy":"brand awareness","category":null}'>brand awareness</a> and revenue. An advertising strategy is a component of the marketing campaign; advertising via multiple media platforms helps share information about the company’s brand and products to new target customers.

Marketing vs. Advertising

There are many different types of advertising, each serving a purpose in your effort to reach consumers. Some of the traditional forms of advertising include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Broadcast advertising: Television ads and radio ads are media advertising formats known as broadcast advertising. Radio and television advertising remains among the most cost-effective means of connecting goods and services to a large and diverse demographic. Though satellite television allows many consumers to skip over traditional TV ads, companies still reach viewers through pop-up ads that appear during programming. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Direct mail advertising: Brochures, flyers, and other forms of printed materials sent in the mail are all forms of direct mail advertising. This strategy can be an effective way for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-starting-a-small-business' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-starting-a-small-business","linkCopy":"small businesses","category":null}'>small businesses</a> to inform new customers who have just moved to the area about your business. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Outdoor advertising: Billboards and advertisements on public transportation are forms of outdoor advertising. They typically feature bold images and limited text since the interactive period between a consumer and outdoor advertising is usually brief. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Print advertising: While some companies create printed advertisements like flyers or brochures, the term “print advertising” refers to print media ads like newspaper advertisements and magazine ads. This tactic can reach general audiences or specific demographics depending on the focus and circulation of the print media. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Product placement advertising: Marketing plans can include product placement advertising, which involves embedding goods or services in feature films or television programs. Product placement advertising is often subtle, with no direct mention of the goods or services save for their appearances on-screen. However, characters often use or consume the products as part of the storyline. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Word-of-mouth: A low-cost means of reaching customers without an ad campaign, word-of-mouth advertising relies on consumers telling friends and family about their positive experiences with a company’s goods or services. Some companies incentivize customers to endorse their products with referral programs. </li></ol>

6 Traditional Methods of Advertising

Also known as online advertising, digital advertising is any form of advertising on the internet, apps, or digital devices. Some of the most common digital advertising formats include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Display advertising: With this digital marketing strategy, companies create pop-up ads and banner ads on websites to reach new audiences. These ads feature a clear <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-effective-call-to-action' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-an-effective-call-to-action","linkCopy":"call to action","category":null}'>call to action</a> (or CTA) that prompts users to click through to your website. After a user clicks the digital ad, you can utilize remarketing or retargeting tactics to continue to reach the customer with future advertising efforts. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Mobile advertising: Any mobile device with internet connectivity, such as a smartphone or tablet, is a conduit for mobile advertising, allowing you to reach potential customers through digital advertising methods on apps. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Native advertising: To employ this digital advertising technique, companies create sponsored articles that resemble other forms of content on a website. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/native-advertising' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/native-advertising","linkCopy":"Native advertising","category":null}'>Native advertising</a> appears within the flow of regular content on a site, downplaying its very nature as an ad. Advertisers and the websites that host native ads find this approach effective, as it allows for a more intuitive experience for users and avoids breaking up the flow of content with display ads. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Paid search advertising: Also known as pay-per-click or PPC advertising, paid search advertising is a form of digital advertising that allows companies to bid on specific keywords relevant to their goods and services. Search engines then connect users to the advertising whenever they look for these words on search engines. This paid tactic complements organic <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/seo-strategy-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/seo-strategy-guide","linkCopy":"search engine optimization","category":null}'>search engine optimization</a> (SEO) efforts. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Podcast advertising: Podcasts can help you reach a more targeted audience than advertising on radio stations. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-podcast' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-podcast","linkCopy":"Podcast","category":null}'>Podcast</a> hosts typically read the ad copy, which often includes a discount for potential customers who hear the podcast. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Social media advertising: Social media platforms gather demographic information that lets advertisers target specific audiences, allowing you to create cost-effective ad campaigns. You can also tap the online following of social media celebrities through influencer ads. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Video advertising: You can reach audiences on social media sites or streaming platforms with dynamic, engaging video ads. Some sites require users to play video ads before watching or engaging with other content, guaranteeing a certain number of views per ad. </li></ol>

Digital Advertising: 7 Types of Advertising on Digital Platforms

Learn more about advertising and creativity from Jeff Goodby &amp; Rich Silverstein. Break rules, change minds, and create the best work of your life with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>.

Learn More

Advertising helps companies reach audiences and drive new business. Learn about the many types of advertising, from online marketing via social media platforms to traditional advertising like print ads.

Advertising helps companies reach audiences and drive new business. Learn about the many types of advertising, from online marketing via social media platforms to traditional advertising like print ads.
