Performance marketing
Brand marketing
Product marketing
Word-of-mouth marketing
Direct marketing

And… the word salad list goes on.

Feels like marketer gymnastics in my mind.

I might be basic.

Hang in there I might have a point.

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Read this LinkedIn post first.

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Customers don’t give two fucks about marketing categories or whether a message is “performance” or “brand” marketing.

They’re not dissecting ads or thinking, “Wow, that’s some great full-funnel approach right there!”

Here’s the reality:

1. Customers care about solving their problems or fulfilling their desires. Period.
2. Every interaction with a brand – whether it’s an ad, a friend’s recommendation, or using the product – contributes to their overall perception and memory of that brand.
3. People are bombarded with messages all day. They remember what’s relevant, useful, or emotionally resonant to them.
4. Trust and authenticity matter. People are more likely to listen to friends or authentic experiences than polished marketing messages.
5. The product or service experience itself is the most powerful brand builder.

No amount of clever marketing can overcome a poor product or customer experience.

In Airbnb’s case, what matters to customers is:

• Can they find unique, interesting places to stay?
• Is the booking process easy and trustworthy?
• Do they have good experiences during their stays?
• Does Airbnb solve problems quickly if issues arise?
• How much is the cleaning fee they are going to pay?

The success of Airbnb isn’t about marketing gymnastics.

It’s about creating a product people want, ensuring good experiences, and then reminding people they exist in authentic, useful ways.

The real lesson here isn’t about marketing categories.

It’s about:

1. Building something people want and need
2. Ensuring every touchpoint with the customer is positive and memorable
3. Being authentic in how you communicate with potential customers

Ultimately, customers give a damn about brands that consistently deliver value and positive experiences.

Everything else is just industry navel-gazing.

Like I said, I’m just basic.