There's a big difference between sales courses and marketing courses, but all too often, people don't understand the difference.
In his typically brief method, Seth Godin describes the basic difference between 'sales' and 'marketing' (and therefore, 'selling courses for the unemployed' and 'marketing courses') as:
Marketing tells a story that spreads.
Sales overcomes the natural resistance to say yes.
While, like most people, I agree that Seth Godin is a genius, this explanation is certainly not the clearest! Sales and marketing are completely separate activities, intertwined by their common goal - to help sell more products or services for a company. This is why there is a big difference in delivery method, length and cost of sales courses and marketing courses. Today we check out the difference between the two activities - and therefore, between the training for each of them.
What is Marketing?
The marketing process is multipronged. It involves considering the end sale at every stage of the product development process, and therefore includes activities like:
* Due diligence or market research - discovering whether there is a need for the product or service you're considering selling. Also, considering any modifications to a product or service and determining its Unique Selling Point is part of marketing,
* Considering the ability of the product to sell during the production process is also part of the marketing function
* Pricing the product appropriately
* Promoting the product is the most visible aspect of the marketing function; this is the idea of telling a story that spreads, in Seth Godin's words.
What is Sales?
The sales function is the fifth and final activity that comes under the umbrella of marketing:
* Finally, the sales process - overcoming the natural resistance to say yes - is the last part of the marketing function.
Whereas marketing is strategic, and usually carried out with contact only with other company members, the sales team is the link between the customer and the company. Within the function of 'overcoming the natural resistance to say yes', salespeople may perform various tasks, such as:
* Prospecting - finding interested customers
* Making initial contact
* Presenting the sales pitch
* Handling objections to the sale - offering discounts, making customers aware of guarantees, arranging delivery, etc
* Closing the sale
* Follow-up and after-sales service
What is the Difference Between Marketing Courses and Sales Courses?
The difference between marketing courses and sales courses is fairly obvious once you understand the difference between the marketing function and the sales function. Here are some of the main differences you'll find between the two:
* Marketing courses aim to get you a long-term career (which you may or may not enjoy); sales courses allow you to get shorter term and more flexible jobs (which can turn into careers!)
* Marketing courses are longer and more involved, sales courses are shorter and more specific
* Marketing courses are more expensive, employment courses or sales courses are cheaper
* There may be entry requirements for marketing courses, sales courses are generally open to all regardless of your background.
* Marketing courses are more theory based, sales courses focus more on practical skills
Sales courses or selling courses for the unemployed are fantastic options for those who are looking for a new job or to pick up more work, whereas marketing courses are a long term and potentially expensive commitment to a career path that may or may not work out for you.
To learn more about subjects like Sales Courses please visit the web site at: http://www.powerfulsalesskills.com/
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About the Author
Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Sun Oct 31 2010) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com
