17 Difference between Sales and Marketing (With Table)

Jul 1, 2022 · 4 min read ·

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Many businesses have the desire to generate more revenue and grow. But stiff competition is making some companies struggle and shut down in the long run.

A company with an effective sales and marketing plan can withstand the market competition without closing the doors. The strategy guide leads to becoming loyal customers.

So, what is the main difference between sales and marketing? Sales refer to the process of selling products or services at a given price and time. Marketing is the process of creating awareness and informing customers about a certain product or service.

Sales and marketing are essential departments in an organization. Many people usually use the terms interchangeably, but they perform different functions.

This article provides comprehensive comparisons between sales and marketing in a tabular form. Take the time to read through to learn the difference between marketing and sales in points.

You May Also Like: Difference between Sales and Marketing Executives

Comparison Table (Sales Vs Marketing)

Basic Terms	Sales	Marketing
Description	It is the process of selling products or services at a given price and time.	It is the process of creating awareness and informing customers about a product or service.
Nature	Product-oriented	Customer-oriented
Approach	Fragmented approach	Integrated approach
Focus	Company needs	Market needs
Relation	The flow of goods or services to customers	Activities that facilitate the flow of goods or services to customers.
Time-taken	Short term	Long term
Aim	To persuade prospects into buying a product or service.	Identify customers’ needs and create a product or service that satisfies the market needs.
Type of Relationship	One-to-one	One-to-many
Target	Individuals and small groups	General public
Scope	Product or service selling	Advertisement, after-sales service, sales, research customer satisfaction.
Activity	Customer-driven	Media-driven
Strategy	Push strategy	Pull strategy
Process Flow	Adequate consideration for the exchange of products.	Customer satisfaction through identifying their needs.
Rule	Caveat emptor	Caveat vendor
Technique	Special offers, discounts, and price promotion	Integration of customers’ needs and organization to create an incredible relationship
Skills	Selling and conversation	Analytical
Goal	Sales maximization to increase profit	Profit maximization by increasing market share and customer satisfaction.

What Is Sales?

It refers to the process of convincing a prospect to buy the products or services from a company. The process is usually carried out by a sales executive with excellent interpersonal skills.

The vital sales strategies are one-on-one meetings, cold or warm calls, direct sales, networking, retail interaction, trade fairs, and abandon cart emails.

The purpose of sales is to convert a prospect into actual paying customers. The task needs someone with communication skills, confidence, and patience.

What Is Marketing?

It refers to the process of creating awareness and informing customers about the products or services of the company. Marketing executives are responsible for carrying out these duties.

Marketing begins by identifying the customers’ needs and creating products that will fulfill the market needs. The process identifies strategies that target the interest of the company’s audience.

Activities undertaken during marketing are product development, distribution method, sales, promotion, after-sales services, market research, and analysis.

The marketing approach should be integrated with the market to attract the attention of targeted customers. The promotion is done through several Media as an advert.

Main Difference between Sales and Marketing

Marketing is the process of controlling business activities to bring buyers and sellers together. Sales refer to a transaction between two parties.

Sales help to match the customers’ needs with products. Marketing identifies the needs of customers and creates a product that satisfies them.

Sales aim to fulfill sales volume objective. Marketing promotes, distribute, and price products or services.

Sales consider one-on-one meetings. Marketing considers one-on-many meetings.

Sales are for the short term while marketing for the long term

Sales have a pull strategy while marketing has a push strategy

Sales is a human-driven activity while marketing is a media-driven activity

Sales aim at profit maximization while marketing aim at increasing customer satisfaction and market share.

Sales require excellent communication and persuading skills. Marketing requires analytical and foresightedness skills.

Sales apply caveat emptor rule while marketing applies caveat vendor rule.

Similarities between Sales and Marketing

Both increase revenue and profit

Both create a good customer relationship

Both improve the brand value of an organization

In Conclusion

The difference between sales and marketing depends on their functions. But the interlinks between sales and marketing can be confusing to some people.

Sales and marketing facilitate the growth and survival of the business for an extended period. It is one of the reasons why every organization tries to integrate sales and marketing.

Sales are human-driven activity, and it entails sales executives. These individuals need to be highly trained and motivated to carry out their duties.

Marketing is a media-driven activity. The activity is done through promotion and advertisement of products to improve the brand image. Marketing executives play a vital role in this area.

More Sources and References

Sales and Marketing. Mary Ville University.
Marketing and Sales. LSU Online Education.

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