Especially if you think that selling means convincing someone to buy something they don’t really need or want. Think about your own experiences of being “sold” to and how that felt. If you’re like most people, you want to buy things, but you absolutely hate being sold to.
So why would you want to do that to other people? You wouldn’t, of course. That’s why it’s critical for you to understand the difference between sales and marketing.
Yes, you need a sales process. A place where clients and customers can find your products and services. A way for them to pay you. And a method to deliver what they buy. But before they’re ready to fork over their cash or whip out their credit card, people need to understand exactly what it is you’re selling and what benefits they’ll get if they buy from you.
Most folks go through a 3-step process that looks like this. The first time they meet you (on-line or offline) you’re a complete stranger. Over time, based on what you say and do, they come to know, like, and trust you. In your personal life, they become acquaintances. In the business world, they become prospects.
As more time passes and you get to know each other even better, some acquaintances actually become your friends and some of your business prospects become customers and clients.
In business, marketing is the process by which you turn strangers into prospects and ultimately into customers. If your marketing is great, you won’t have to “sell” anybody anything they don’t want or need. Instead, you’ll be able to find the folks whose needs and wants are a perfect match for your offerings.
The key to marketing is education, both for you and your prospects. You can learn how to teach them about the ways your products and services will solve their problems. There goes your “but I’m not a good salesperson” excuse.
What’s stopping you from starting your on-line business today?
Leave a Reply