Difference between marketing and sales

Essay by shabujUniversity, Master'sA+, April 2004

download word file, 3 pages 4.3

What's The Difference Between Sales & Marketing?

Many people mistakenly think that selling and marketing are the same-they aren't. The marketing process is broad and includes all of the following:

1.Discovering what product, service or idea customers want.

2.Producing a product with the appropriate features and quality.

3.Pricing the product correctly.

4.Promoting the product; spreading the word about why customers should buy it.

5.Selling and delivering the product into the hands of the customer.

So, Selling is one activity of the entire marketing process.

Selling is the act of persuading or influencing a customer to buy (actually exchange something of value for) a product or service.

Marketing activities support sales efforts. Actually, they are usually the most significant force in stimulating sales. Oftentimes, marketing activities (like the production of marketing materials and catchy packaging) must occur before a sale can be made; they sometimes follow the sale as well, to pave the way for future sales and referrals.

Sales managers are paid to plan, lead and control the personal selling process in the organization. This is one of the very important jobs in an organization.

Sales management involves a specialized set of responsibilities within the broad field of marketing management. Some believe Sales- the only activity that directly generates income, is the most important of all marketing activities.

The marketing department helps the sales manager and the field sales force with support and service function that helps the sales manager in performing sales management activities.

Marketing managers plan with a long run prospective in mind. But even at the highest level of sales management, planning tends to be tactical. Typical marketing managers think in a long run outlook. They do continuous analysis for new profitable markets, products: Developing strategies to effectively and efficiently deal...