Marketing vs. Sales: Bridging the Gap for Better Business Growth
Jun 02, 2023
Recently, we met with a friend who is a well-educated business owner and she mentioned that they are re-hiring AGAIN for the marketing position in her company. When we asked what she thought the problem seemed to be, she told us that the biggest issue was that the people they were hiring just couldn’t close any deals. They would set up good marketing plans and bring in leads, but the sales just weren’t coming in.
This brought to my attention a problem that many small businesses face.
Salespeople and Marketing Professionals Are Not The Same
In the small business world, and perhaps true for medium-sized businesses as well, there is a large misconception that needs to be addressed; marketing and sales are two very different things. So many people refer to them both when addressing one or the other, essentially making these positions one and the same, but they are actually really different with different kinds of skill sets and personalities needed for each position.
Marketing VS Sales Defined:
Let's define what Marketing is VS what Sales is. Marketing is the message that gets out to clients through ads, promotions, posts, mailers, etc. Sales is actually pitching the product and closing the deal.
Now let’s discuss the jobs specifically and the general traits of the people in these positions.
The Marketing Job:
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Marketing can be very creative and so should the person.
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Your marketing person or team should spend their time researching the product, creating captivating visuals and words that grab the audience's attention to motivate them to want to know more about your company and product or service.
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Your marketing team should spend most of their time at their computers or negotiating marketing opportunities with outside resources.
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Your marketing team should have little to no contact with your clients.
The Marketing Team Member:
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When finding a good marketing member, you are looking for someone highly creative.
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Someone who can put together a larger plan for overall marketing strategies.
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These people should be able to connect and understand different marketing avenues such as social media, print ads, radio, sponsorships, television or streaming, etc.
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They do thorough research.
Simply put, your marketing team should bring in the leads, and then they will hand them off to the sales department.
Now let's look at Sales.
The Sales Job:
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The sales job is very detailed.
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Your sales team should spend some of their time learning the benefits of your product or service, but most of the time they should be out talking to clients, making networking connections, and closing deals.
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When the leads come in through your marketing efforts, your salespeople are the ones who will go and make the final sales.
The Salesperson Team Member:
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Your salespeople should be very independently driven.
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Salespeople are usually very well organized.
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They will pay attention to the details and are very detail-oriented.
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You want your sales team members to be knowledgeable of your sales process as well as the products or services that they are selling.
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Your sales team should be trained in negotiations, your specific follow-up processes, and time management.
As you can see, both of these roles and the traits of a great member of each department are quite different. We believe that you will be continually frustrated when you try to combine these and expect your team to be able to do both jobs well. But, once you put the right people on the right teams, they will work together and take your business to a new level.
Sales and Marketing Your Way to Unlimited Success
If you are feeling overwhelmed working with your sales and marketing teams (or lack thereof), we are here to help. With the right guidance, you can propel your business to new heights. At Rebecca Dahlberg Unlimited, we specialize in mentoring servicepreneurs like you, guiding you toward achieving your highest potential and unlocking new levels of business success. At The Business Growing Place, we can take on your branding, marketing, and advertising tasks at an affordable price.
Take the Next Step
Ready to take your business to the next level? Contact us for a free session to start your journey to unlimited success! With The Business Growing Place, your potential is limitless. Reach out to Rebecca at [email protected] or give us a call at 713.909.4282. Let's unlock the unlimited possibilities together!
We're more than just mentors; we're your partners in achieving unprecedented growth and success. Contact us today and step into a world of unlimited possibilities for your business.