2 Must Know Marketing and Sales Factors: Part-8

Just wondering how digital marketing works and what should I know? Then this is the right place to begin. Let us know the basic set of jargons first to begin with:

1. Buzz Marketing

Buzz marketing, or viral marketing, or viral advertising refers to the use of existing social networks among people to create awareness about a brand. Earlier, in the absence of internet and social networking websites, word of mouth, was used to create buzz. Technology and internet have changed the way advertisers create buzz.

In the current context of internet and social media, viral marketing refers to the use of self replicating processes, to create awareness. This is achieved by way of video clips, flash content, images, text, ebooks, or software. The message spreads similar to a virus in a computer network, requiring little to no effort from the originator, to pass is on to others.

The earliest use of the term can be traced back to Harvard graduate Tim Draper. However the term was popularized by multiple authors who wrote on the topic over a period of time.

Buzz Marketing is successful because individuals trust other individuals more than organizations, where it may be believed that the particular advertiser has vested benefits in promoting the product (especially with the advent of PPC advertising).

2. Difference between Sales and Marketing

Difference between sales and marketing is often a topic of confusion. There are times when both are confused for the other. We will see what each function is, and then understand the difference between the two.

Sales:

‍It is a function whereby the product/service gets "sold" to the client. This process begins with identifying the clients, investigating their requirements, understanding their problems/needs, proposing a solution/offer/make the pitch, handling objections, negotiating the terms, and closing the deal. Sales is a very in-detail approach to client acquisition. It follows a one-to-one approach.

Marketing:

‍Marketing is a function, which tries to entice people to buy a product/service. This is done by creating awareness about the product to a large base of prospects. This includes use of various methods, which can attract attention to a product, thereby facilitating sale/sales pitch.

As it can be seen Sales and Marketing are two different functions, but the objective at large is same. Both the functions go hand in hand. Sales depends on Marketing, for creating awareness about the product, which will make lead acquisition, and conversion easier.

Sales, is also the function rakes in the money flow into the company. So all other departments are in someway dependent on sales. Also the data provided by sales teams is critical to making Marketing decisions.