Selling vs. Marketing

The terms "selling" and "marketing," although close in nature are often misunderstood.

Selling according to Dictionary.com means, "to transfer (goods) to or render (services) for another in exchange for money; dispose of to a purchaser for a price:
He sold the car to me for $1000." "to deal in; keep or offer for sale: He sells insurance. This store sells my favorite brand." "to cause or persuade to accept; convince:
to sell the voters on a candidate."

Marketing according to Dictionary.com means, "the act of buying or selling in a market." "the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling."

We live in an era where sales persons have become marketers and marketers have become sales persons. There are so many "gurus" out there, most of which are self proclaimed. In a world with so many theories, gurus, coaches, books, articles and other content available it is almost guaranteed that we get confused. The strategy or teaching you choose to follow is totally up to you. I believe in the system that I currently use which is what is being taught in The Lazy Marketer FB Group. If marketing is not selling, and selling is not marketing can and should we really seperate the two?

I read a book on marketing recently where the author said that the focus of any entrepreneur or marketer should be sales. Others will say that no one wants to feel like they are being sold to. Hmmm... Storytime!

Tom is a sales agent he calls people up trying to see if they are interested in buying his products. He gives his pitch and closes. Is Tom a marketer?

Jim is a marketer he also calls people up trying to see if they are interested in buying his products. He too gives his pitch and closes. Is Jim a sales man?

Both men did they very same thing however, the thing that would differ would be the approach. The goal of marketing or of any marketer is to produce a sale. The power is in the methods of the presentation. The sales man may spew out all of the facts & ingredients. Where as the goal of the marketer should be the benefits. If you find yourself barfing jargons and unnecessary information you are selling. A sales man with tell you all of the specs of a fridge or computer. The marketer, like the customer focuses on "what's in it for me?" How much can it hold? how fast is it? Who's been buying it? What's so special about it?

In recent years, sales personnel have become more marketing oriented because people have become smarter, more informed and have many options. My encouragement to you is to be a marketer, think benefits and deals. But your primary goal should be to get the sale without making the customer feel that is all you want from them.