Social marketing is a marketing technique used by organizations to spread social ideas and messages to improve public well-being. It was first coined in the 1950s and involves using traditional marketing principles like the 4 P's (product, price, place, promotion) to influence behavior. Some examples include government campaigns to promote polio vaccination, consumer awareness campaigns, and corporate programs to promote health and hygiene. The social marketing process involves defining the problem, identifying potential solutions, targeting audiences, developing strategies using the 4 P's, implementing programs, and evaluating results.