A couple weeks ago, I posed this question on Twitter: “Sales is convincing someone to buy what you’re offering and marketing is getting people in the door. Agree?”

Here were the responses I received from some of my followers on Twitter:

@cheapcheapcheap replied “Sales is building a relationship and getting what they want. Marketing is getting people to spread the product name.” (Blog: How to Save Money)

@LStacey replied “That pretty much nails it.” (Blog: Lee Stacey)

@big_b_rad replied “Without a doubt, Marketing = Awareness, != closing the deal… That’s where sales staff is needed… IMO” (Site: Powered Production)

@ScottBradley replied “Totally agree” (Blog: Networking Effectively)

@CoriBrackett replied “Sales should be re: fulfilling a need & marketing helps in awareness-hopefully re: what folks genuinely need or are interested in.” (Site: Sweet Remedy Radio)

@alienate replied “Marketing is convincing someone they need some thing they don’t already have. Sales is getting them to need your particular thing.” (Blog: Sunshine Cupcake!)

@TerenceChang replied “I think it’s opposite direction. Sales is the one get you in door. Marketing is the one make you want to open your wallet.” (Blog: The Internet Entrepreneur Diary)

@petsaretalking replied “Sales is building the relationship and selling, Marketing is setting the playing field and getting people to play.” (Blog: Pets Are Talking)

@davewoodson replied “I could not agree more” (Blog: Dave Woodson)

@JulieFBT replied “Definitely agree. Marketing is the creative and sales is the charm.” (Site: Free Birthday Treats)

@katanabarnett replied “Marketing, IMHO, is finding the people who are interested; Sales is when they agree with you. Same thing, small diff. lol” (Blog: Katana Barnett)

@phyllisshabad replied “Marketing is more than the door if you want repeat clients. If your product isn’t branded there is no affinity in a bad economy.” (Site: Phyllis Shabad, Executive Brand Coach)

@AnthonyRusso replied “In marketing, aren’t you offering them the idea of going through the door, hence it is sales as well.” (Blog: Great America Networks Conferencing Blog)

@DoreenBatesart replied “-and marketing is the hard part on the internet–getting ppl to your door!” (Site: DoreenBatesart Handmade Artisan Jewelry and Fine Art)

@glwallace replied “Answer: It depends on the industry. Sales is connecting with people on a personal level to give them info they need to make a good decision. Marketing is connecting with the masses to bring awareness of your product or services so that a sale can be facilitated.” (LinkedIn: Larry Wallace)

@caohaoim replied “Get to the door in the mood to buy.”

@dianatimmons replied “marketing is where you decide how best to present your product, and sales is when the customer agrees with you on your decision.” (Site: Diana Hathaway Timmons)

@rcarney2201 replied “You’re so right.” (Blog: Rcarney12’s Blog)

@xylus replied “agreed - although sometimes sales people market and sometimes marketing people sell and sometimes product managers do all” (Facebook Profile)

@DianaRusso replied “sales is what happens when the buyer and the seller are on the same page and marketing is showing the buyer what page you are on” (Site: Earth Connections Kuranda)

@jesseluna replied “That’s pretty accurate. Marketing is getting an at bat. Sales is convincing them to buy the bat and be ready for the next pitch.” (Blog: Build Your Fan Base)

@KaNani2008 replied “yes sales is getting some 1 to buy what you are offering..but successful marketing is getting them 2 return again & again.. JMHO” (Site: Ka Nani Essentials Artistic Natural Bath Products)

@peterburkecbf replied “in my opinion that is right - too many peope try and sell at the marketing stage” (Site: CBF International)

@BHN replied “Believe marketing is first letting people know there even IS a door.” (LinkedIn: Barb Nagell)

@ElmerHurlstone replied “Marketing: Intel & Strategy; Sales: Tactics” (Blog: Elmer Hurlstone)

@Astrogirl426 replied “disagree. Respectfully Marketing = simply getting a potential client’s attention. Sales is showing that potential client the need of theirs that your service/product can fill.” (Blog: Notes from the Bunker)

@awakeinroch replied “Yes. No. Maybe … You can pick the correct answer to post. ;o)” (Blog: Awake in Rochester)

@Loreen72 replied “I agree. But they work hand in hand. Mktg supports the products and Sales should stand by the marketing.” (Site: TLM Photograpy Studios)

@sundaycosmetics replied “Disagree Marketing is getting people into the door to buy.” (Site: SundayCosmetics™)

@arronlock replied “yeah I would say that is basically it.” (Blog: Organized Chaos)

@PamperingU replied “I’m no sales/marketing guru but your assessment of both sounds reasonable. I’d love to hear what the experts say have to say.” (Site: Pampering U)

@kirstenwright replied “Marketing is explaining how the product benefits the user. If done right, all sales involves is collecting their money.” (Blog: Wright Creativity)

@AdamCarn replied “I think I can agree with that.” (Site: Syte Black)

@AndrewWindham replied “sales is not a convincing process of any sort, marketing is about raising awareness around availability” (Blog: Andrew Windham)

@dhelbig replied “mktg is getting your message in front of others, sales is matching their need to your offering” (Site: Seize This Day Coaching)

@jshuey replied “there are many analogies, but ducks is a good one for mktrs. Mktg gets the ducks to the pond. Sales shoots (collects) them.” (Blog: The Intersection of People and Progress)

@JudithandJim replied “No. Marketing is preparing your customer to buy. Selling provides incentive(s) for customer to make the decision they know they want to make.” (Site: Bridging Heart & Marketing)

@easytechtalk replied “i would say that marketing brings people TO the door, and then sales would bring them in” (Blog: Easy Tech Talk)

@salesrecruiter replied “sales =get the agreement..strategic mkt=sets direction product portfolio…tactical mkt=support sales & creates + buying bias” (Site: PHC Consulting)

As you can see, there are a variety of differing opinions. The bottom line, though, is that sales and marketing, however you choose to define them, must work together as a team in order to be effective. Whether that team is a group of people or one person doing it all, it’s important that everyone be on the same page.

Communication is a key aspect to coordinating that effort. Even if you’re a one-person sales & marketing team, it’s helpful to stay in touch with other people doing the same types of things you are in order to learn from them and pass along your own knowledge.

So, in an effort to help foster that kind of community, I am launching a new business website, the Canville Business Community. The goal is help grow a community of business-minded people interested in running their businesses in an economical, efficient and ethical manner. I hope you’ll check it out and join us!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 at 6:24 pm and is filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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