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I know this might sound like a dumb question, Is marketing more important than the product?

Amit Arora
6 replies
You’ve got a great product. But without marketing, how will anyone know about it? Or, let’s say your marketing is top-notch. Can it make up for a product that doesn’t quite deliver? It’s a tough one. So, what do you think? Does marketing win, or is the product still king?

Replies

John
Launching soon!
Neither marketing nor the product is universally more important; they're interdependent: Marketing drives visibility and shapes perception. Product ensures satisfaction and repeat business. Ideal Scenario: A great product with smart marketing leads to success. However, context matters: New Market: Marketing might be more crucial initially. Established Market: Product quality sustains long-term success
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John
Launching soon!
Not a dumb question at all! The relationship between marketing and the product is crucial, and which is "more important" can depend on various factors: Product Quality: If the product is exceptional, it can, to some extent, market itself through word-of-mouth and organic growth. However, even the best products need some level of marketing to reach their potential audience. For example, consider tech products like the iPhone; Apple's innovative products are supported by significant marketing efforts to ensure visibility and desirability. Market Saturation: In a market where many similar products exist, marketing can be the key differentiator. Here, marketing can make a product stand out, even if it's not necessarily the best in its category. Think about how brands like Coca-Cola maintain market dominance partly through extensive marketing campaigns. Consumer Awareness: For new or niche products, marketing is essential to educate consumers about the product's existence, benefits, and how it solves a problem or fulfills a need. Without marketing, even revolutionary products might remain unknown. Brand Building: Marketing helps in building a brand, which can be more valuable than the product itself over time. A strong brand can command higher prices, loyalty, and forgiveness for occasional product flaws. Nike, for instance, leverages its brand more than any single product it sells. Product Lifecycle: Early in a product's lifecycle, marketing might be more critical to gain traction. Later, as the product matures, the inherent quality or innovation of the product might take precedence in retaining customers. Competitive Landscape: In highly competitive markets, marketing can sometimes outweigh product quality in terms of immediate sales impact. However, long-term success usually balances both. In summary, while marketing can drive initial interest and sales, the product's quality is what maintains customer satisfaction and loyalty. They are interdependent; a great product with poor marketing might never be discovered, while excellent marketing can't sustain interest if the product doesn't deliver on its promises. Therefore, neither is inherently more important; they should work in synergy. Ideally, you want both a great product and effective marketing to truly succeed in the marketplace.
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beverly clayton
totally agree with hussein_r! A solid marketing roll-out that understands and speaks to "the need", jumpstarts messaging and peaks curiosity will open the door. An excellent innovative product in a market hungry for "better than what's available" will sell itself as long as expectations are met and there's no disappointment. Hence the term "you only get one chance to make a first impression"
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Elena Tsemirava
This is not a dumb question, but a valid one. Marketing is truly more important. Statistics show that the overwhelming majority of startups fail because of inadequate marketing. That’s why a product, no matter how good it is, is meaningless on its own.
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Hussein
That’s a great question, Amit! It’s not dumb at all—this is the classic chicken-and-egg debate in the product world. Here’s my take: A great product can sell itself to some extent, but only after it gets discovered—and that’s where marketing comes in. On the flip side, even the best marketing can’t create long-term success for a product that doesn’t deliver value. In today’s competitive market, I’d say it’s not about “either/or” but about alignment. Marketing gets people through the door, but the product keeps them coming back and spreading the word. So, while the product might be the “king,” marketing is its most loyal and indispensable “queen.” Both need to work hand-in-hand to truly win the game. What’s your perspective? Have you ever seen marketing outperform product—or vice versa?
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Zhiqi Shi
Launching soon!
The 'product' is the foundation, and 'marketing' is the accelerator. Simple distinguishing which is more important isn't very reasonable. I think it depends more on which area you currently excel in. For success, it's more important to leverage your strengths.
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