What is the Difference Between Sales and Marketing

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I have a marketing degree and I have, in one form or another, been in direct sales for almost 35 years. With that experience I can firmly say, marketing is not sales. So what is the difference between sales and marketing? Simply put; Marketing is lead generation. Sales is lead conversion.

Marketing Success Does Not Guarantee Sales Success!
Search Engine Optimization may drive people to your website, but it is your website's sales ability that gets the customer. Social media networking may connect you with prospects, but it's your sales ability that creates the business relationships. Telephone and email marketing may generate leads for your sales force, but it is their sales skills that close the deals.

You could be such a marketing guru that you generate so many prospects you spend most of your day quoting prices. However since you can't deposit a proposal in your bank account, you still have to close algeria whatsapp number database to survive. On the other hand, you can be the best sales person in the world, but if you can't get in the door, you'll starve.

Sales and Marketing are Separate Business Functions
Sales and marketing are both important functions. In fact, you often can't have one without the other. But make no mistake. They are two different functions, each with their own skill separate set, and if you are an entrepreneur running a small business, or have the word 'sales' in your job title, chances are you need to be proficient at both.

Why You Need to Know
There is no doubt that sales is different than marketing. But what does that mean to you? Simple. It’s because knowing the difference is the key to your success.

If you are struggling, if you are not reaching your goals, or if you are not making the income you want, you have to ask yourself, 'Do I need to be a better marketer or do I need to be a better salesperson?' The answer lies in your numbers.

Knowing YOUR Difference Between Sales and Marketing Lies in “Your Numbers”
What is one customer or one sale worth to you and what are the marketing activities required to generate one? How many sales do I need to meet my objectives? Does it take 10 prospecting contacts to make a sale or does it take fifty? It doesn't matter what the numbers are, as long as you know YOUR numbers!

To help you determine your numbers, download my webinar video, 'How to Define Sales Success on Your Own Terms & Then Achieve It'. It’s available for instant download. You can watch it as often as you like, and whenever you find it convenient. You can even pause it anywhere to learn at your pace! As one attendee wrote, “Another great webinar. This is my 2nd webinar with you and I am loving them.”

Or to get started defining success on your own terms, download our “Goal Setting & Action Planning Worksheet” for free from the B2B Sales Connections Download Centre.