What’s one difference between Marketing and Sales?

Categories: Web MarketingPosted on June 8th, 2007

Many folks get Sales and Marketing confused, but in reality, they are completely two different roles and two different purposes.

I’ve started to notice the differences between Sales and Marketing, more particularly, the outcomes in how they meet folks. In no way is this a degradation to folks on any sides, but I clearly see that effective Marketing can have very desirable outcomes. What’s one of the more visible differences I’ve noticed?

[Prospects will hand their business card to great Marketers, while Sales will still have to ask for it]

Please note that the role of Marketing is more than ‘pitching’ but should be an act of listening, and now conversing with the market, and then connecting that feedback to the right teams internally. Also note that Sales is much more than just gathering leads, their role is to also listen, and provide solutions and represent the customer internally –both are important.

Great article on roles of the Marketer.

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 8th, 2007 at 10:38 am and is filed under Web Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Comments

Stacey D

Technically, sales is included in the 4th "P" of marketing - "Promotion" - the others are of course product, price and place - but I get where you're all coming from.

Today - marketing is discovering through various purposeful methods that men like women who are sexy. Marketing is learning what sexy means. marketing is applying make-up, perfume, the slinky dress and the high heels. Marketing is being at the place you know the men are. Marketing is brushing past the men you fancy. Now - that you have their attention - sales is the seduction.

Kent J

Effective marketing can ripen prospects to the point where they may purchase with little or no sales effort or even inept sales effort.
A good salesman can take lousy marketing pieces, and with a phone create business. Sales guys expect a pretty good commission. Marketing guys are a dime a dozen. I wish i was a sales guy.

Christopher Coulter

Marketing is like half of medicine, a distraction, while nature cures the disease.

jenks

i say, i don't SELL things, i MAKE things sell.

Mario Sundar

I think the biggest difference between marketing and sales is strategic vs. tactical.

I've been on both sides and understand that being in sales furthers your understanding of the market, since you're directly interacting with users. Moreover, sales can enhance your feedback loop along with your customer service team.

We all need one another!