What is the difference between a product and a service in the Marketing Mix?

You can't have the one without the other. Products are the ‘non-human’ aspect of a purchase, and the service is the ‘human’ aspect of the purchase. After all we are all human and do need and appreciate service, even if it is automated it makes us feel good and result in more purchases of your product.

Products are tangible goods purchased and owned, while services are intangible experiences consumed simultaneously with production. Marketing focuses on features (products) or benefits and relationships (services). Both involve the 4Ps, but services often add 3 more for people, process, and physical evidence.

What SERVICE does your offering provide? You can call your offering whatever you choose: product, service or otherwise BUT if you don't start looking at how your offering is of SERVICE to your potential client you will "miss the boat". WHY? Because if YOU are not of service to your clients: wants, needs and nonconscious desired emotional transformation - someone else will be. Also, when you are being "OF SERVICE" to them - THAT is legitimate, real, tangible and WILL convert to repeat business and referrals. Short answer: there is no difference between how you market a product or a service... it's ALL ABOUT being of SERVICE, whether that is through a physical product or otherwise. Nobody likes a con-artist. Be real. Do good. ;)

Key Differences: Tangibility: Products are physical and tangible, whereas services are intangible and based on actions or experiences. Perishability: Services are often perishable, consumed as they are delivered, while products can be stored and inventoried. Customization: Services can be highly customized to meet individual needs, whereas products may offer variations but are generally standardized. Inseparability: Services are often inseparable from their providers, leading to a stronger emphasis on customer service and interaction. Marketing Implications: Products often focus on attributes, features, and quality to differentiate themselves in the market. Services emphasize customer experience, reliability, and building trust.

At the market level, a product is a solution crafted to address specific consumer needs, leveraging features, benefits, and branding to stand out in the competitive landscape. From a corporate perspective, a product serves as a building block in the company's product line, contributing to revenue generation, market share, and overall business success. It may also play a role in shaping the company's brand identity and market positioning.

I am most familiar with services marketing. Product marketing is going to focus on the features and the benefits of the product itself. Service marketing will typically focus on the expertise, experience, and quality of the services provided, such as professional services, consulting or graphic design services - which is where I have the bulk of my experience.

Key considerations in marketing a product involve the buyer. First, you must identify your ideal customer. Who are you trying to reach with your product? What are the key demographics, interests, and pain points. This is a challenging task when sellers think that "the world is their oyster" but zeroing in on the ideal customer will help to define and segment the market.

A product refers to a tangible item that is manufactured and offered for sale. They are usually tangible, allowing customers to physically interact with them. Examples include smartphones, cars, clothing, and electronics. A service, on the other hand, is intangible and involves an activity or performance that one party offers to another. Services are often experienced rather than owned, and they are performed rather than produced. Examples include consulting, healthcare, education, and hairdressing. The key difference lies in tangibility. When developing a marketing strategy, businesses consider the unique characteristics of both products and services to effectively promote and deliver value to customers.