Most people don’t like selling. Many people, in fact, see sales people as slick, fast talkers who will say anything to get the sale and the money. Unfortunately, there are sales people like that, but selling is not about just getting the sale. It’s about helping people and selling them on the benefits of what will help them the most.
But what is marketing? The American Marketing Association defines it this way:
”Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”
Notice that it’s not all about the customer, nor is it all about selling. It’s about creating value. And when you create real value for people, they will do business with you and they will tell their friends what you’ve done for them.
How many ways are you creating value for people? Do you notice they want to buy when you create the right kind of value? That means you don’t have to sell, the value does the selling for you.
That is an interesting take on the sales vs. marketing discussion. I've never included the 'Value Added' aspect when discussing the differences between these two activities. I think I will now though.
To me, marketing is communicating with your pool of prospects (people who may be interested in your product) so they are aware of your product. I think that should now be amended to the prospects being aware of the product and how it will add value.
Now, back to reviewing the copy on my website to make sure I convey that added value. Great, more work! 🙂