Breaking Down the Differences Between Sales and Marketing
Recently, our founder Joshua spoke on the essential differences between sales and marketing at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. He discussed the critical part each plays in the success of a company and the importance of creating a distinction between the two departments. That well-defined distinction lets you see problems more clearly and make the necessary fixes to get you on track toward your goal.
So what is the difference?
Sales and marketing, in many ways, rely on the success of the other. When good marketing is happening, sales happen faster with primed customers. When sales are doing their job, and clients are happy with the results, marketing has great numbers to reference and stories to tell. Marketing is about bringing people to the table and showcasing your product. Sales is about getting them to hit the button, close the deal, sign the contract.
High-Speed of Today’s Business
Life today moves quickly – and we feel that pressure to make business move just as quickly. To get our product out there and to sell fast! That’s when sales and marketing get smashed together. And that’s when it can be hard to see what’s not working and why.
Temptation Versus Reality
In an age of so much technology options, those big promises of more followers and more sales are tempting. But when you start implementing apps or plugins in an effort to solve undefined problems, you can cause bigger problems in the long run – and hinder your efforts toward your goals.
The answer?
Before you start integrating technology solutions, it’s time to take a step back, slow down, and think about your goals. Consider the distinct purposes of sales and marketing. Break down your marketing goals and your sales goals. Only then can you see what’s working and what’s not – so you can start focusing resources on the areas that need attention.
Taking the time to pull these two apart and evaluate them is an important reminder for any small business. When the pressures mount, we tend to put our heads down and hustle. That’s why Josh encourages the opposite – to take a step back and reevaluate the goals. Contact us today if you want to talk through those goals and purposes – or if you’d like Josh to speak with your organization or association on these universal truths in a rushed world!