Increase Sales Blog

During down times, confusion only hurts the ability to increase sales.  I realized this once again when reading an insightful post by Stephanie Patterson owner of at MySalesBeast.com. Stephanie listed 3 great sales skills to have during less than favorable buying environments. And I wholeheartedly agree with her suggestions.

Credit: Apprising.org

However, these sales skills are really marketing skills. Marketing and selling skill are partners in the overall sales process. However, my sense is that when the term “sales skills” is used specifically for marketing activities, salespersons may unintentionally start selling. This is a sales killer meaning no dollars in your piggy bank.

Marketing is all about attracting attention and building a relationship. Absolutely no selling should take place until both of these objectives have been achieved.

Unfortunately the word “sales” is bandy about and used interchangeably with marketing and selling. As I mentioned in Be the Red Jacket and in many other articles, when you have confusion with the words you speak, think and write, your results will be equally confused. And to coin a frequently used phrase: How is that working for you?

Sales Training Coaching Tip: Marketing is not selling. Selling is not marketing. Both are part of the Sales Process.