Sales vs Marketing

Sales and marketing are closely interlinked and are aimed at increasing revenue. As sales and marketing are closely intertwined, it becomes hard to realise the difference between the two. In small firms, one cannot come across much difference between sales and marketing. But bigger firms have made clear distinction between marketing and sales and they have specialised people handling them independently.

Well, how is that sales and marketing are different? In very simple words, sales can be termed as a process which focuses or targets on individuals or small groups. Marketing on the other hand targets a larger group or the general public.

Marketing includes research (identifying needs of the customer), development of products (producing innovative products) and promoting the product (through advertisements) and create awareness about the product among the consumers. As such marketing means generating leads or prospects. Once the product is out in the market, it is the task of the sales person to persuade the customer to buy the product. Well, sales means converting the leads or prospects into purchases and orders.

While marketing is aimed at longer terms, sales pertain to shorter goals. Marketing involves a longer process of building a name for a brand and pursuing the customer to buy it even if they do not need it. Where as sales only involve a short term process of finding the target consumer.

In concept also, sales and marketing have much difference. Sales only focuses on converting consumer demand match the products. But marketing targets on meeting the consumer demands.

Marketing can be called as a footboard for sales. It prepares the ground for a sales person to approach a consumer. Marketing as such is not direct and it uses various methods like advertising, brand marketing, public relations, direct mails and viral marketing for creating an awareness of the product. Sales are really interpersonal interactions. Sales involve one-on-one meetings, networking and calls.

Another difference that is seen between marketing and sales is that the former involves both micro and macro analysis focussing on strategic intentions. On the other hand, sales pertain to the challenges and relations with the customer.

Summary
1.Sales target on individuals or small groups. Marketing on the other hand targets a larger group o the general public.
2.Marketing means generating leads or prospects. sales means converting the leads or prospects into purchases and orders.
3.Marketing involves a longer process of building a name for a brand and pursuing the customer to buy it even if they do not need it. Where as sales only involve a short term of finding the target consumer.

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