Selling vs Marketing: Top 8 Differences

In every business today, we often come across the concept of marketing and selling, a number of times. The concept of marketing focuses firstly on the customer’s requirements, and then the means to fulfil that need is identified. 

In marketing, the customer creates market demand. On the other hand, the concept of selling emphasises only the requirements of the seller; therefore, in this process, the seller rules the market.

Though the terms marketing and selling sound familiar, however, there is a fine line that differentiates between these two concepts, which includes activities, process, outlook, and management etc.

In simple words, selling transforms the goods into money, but marketing is the method of serving and satisfying customer needs. 

The marketing process includes the planning of a product’s and service’s price, promotion and distribution. This article will help you understand all the important points that distinguish the two words.

Also read: Factors affecting the demand

What is Selling?

The selling theory believes that if companies and customers are dropped and detached, then the customers are not going to purchase enough commodities produced by the enterprise. 

The notion can be employed argumentatively, in the case of commodities that are not solicited, i.e. the commodities which the consumer doesn’t think of buying and when the enterprise is functioning at more than 100% capacity, the company intends at selling what they manufacture, but not what the market requires.

In the sales process, a salesperson sells whatever products the production department has produced. The sales method is aggressive, and customer’s genuine needs and satisfaction is taken for granted.

Understand the difference between Customer and Consumer

What is Marketing?

The marketing theory is a business plan, which affirms that the enterprise’s profit lies in growing more efficient than the opponents, in manufacturing, producing and imparting exceptional consumer value to the target marketplace.

Marketing is a comprehensive and important activity of a company. The task generally comprises recognising consumer needs, meeting that need and ends in customer’s feedback. 

In between, activities such as production, packaging, pricing, promotion, distribution and then the selling will take place. Consumer needs are of high priority and act as a driving force behind all these actions. Their main focus is a long run of business ending up with profits.

It depends upon 4 elements, i.e. integrated marketing, target market, profitability customer and needs. The idea starts with the particular market, emphasises consumer requirements, regulates activities that impact consumers and draws gain by serving consumers.

Read More: What is the planning process of marketing?

This article is a ready reckoner for all the students to learn the difference between Selling and Marketing.

5 Different Types of Selling

The five top types of selling are:

Aggressive Selling- In this type, the only intention of a salesperson is to sell the product in one shot.

Consultative Selling-This type of selling believes in building trust with their customers. A sales representative’s main object is not selling the product but building a relationship with their client.

Need Oriented Selling-Here, a seller has to perform a smart job by observing the movements and words of a customer. Under this form, a sales representative notices the customer accurately by asking different questions and assessing the customer needs.

Product-Oriented Selling-This method of selling is based on product features and benefits; the salesperson explains everything about the product until the customer is completely satisfied. Providing demos are part of this selling process.

Competition Oriented Selling-Under this form, the sales representative believes in staying one step ahead of the competition. They believe in convincing the customers to purchase the product and never accept a no for an answer.

Do you know: Difference between Marketing and Branding

5 Different Types of Marketing

The five top types of marketing are:

Relationship Marketing-This kind of marketing focuses on building a relationship with the customer, improving existing relationships, and enhancing customer loyalty.

Word of Mouth-It is the most powerful type of marketing approach. It completely depends on what impact you leave on the customers with the quality of product and services. 

The customers who have opted for the service or bought a product will promote it on behalf of the company to their friends, colleagues, and neighbours, etc., only if they are satisfied. If they are not impressed, then that can result in negative publicity.

Digital Marketing-It normally appears over the internet. All the marketing details are given on the internet and promoted on multiple platforms via various approaches.

Paid Advertising-It incorporates traditional marketing approaches like TV ads, radio, and print media advertising.

Cause Marketing-This approach associates the products and services of a firm to a social cause or issue. Therefore, It is known as cause-related marketing.

You may want to know: 7Ps of Marketing

Examples of Selling

A few examples of selling are:

• Business-to-Business Sales
• Door-to-Door Sales
• Cold Calling
• Personal selling

Examples of Marketing

A few examples of marketing are:

• Cold Calling
• Newsletters
• Search Engine Marketing
• Meeting customers at Trade shows
• Product placement in Entertainment platforms (video games)

4 Reasons Why Selling is Important

In any organisation, selling is important as it has the capacity to strengthen relationships with customers, influence them to buy the commodity and create repeat business. A sale is a part of a firm’s marketing and promotions. Five top reasons to describe the importance of selling are mentioned below:

Personal Meeting-It is one of the most effective forms of promotion for a business. Here, sellers can make eye contact, make conversation, and demonstrate the advantages of the product or services.

Make direct conversation-This impacts a sale by listening to the seller as it can more efficiently communicate a value proposition.

Get direct Feedback- Great salespeople and companies can utilise the opportunity to obtain feedback on their company, goods, and service.

Gain Customers Loyalty-Selling helps in managing ongoing customer relations. The salesperson connects with the customers and maintains conversations about customer needs.

Quick link: Consumer Protection Act

Why Is Marketing Important?

Marketing is a significant part of any company. Marketing is essential for creating brand awareness, strengthening sales, and retaining customers. Most of the businesses today are adopting digital marketing for promoting their goods and services. They offer their goods on online platforms. Marketing is one sector which is expanding rapidly. There are many purposes of core marketing, such as purchase, sale, finance, transport, etc.

Provide Effective Information-It is the most efficient way of interaction with your potential buyers.

The backbone of Business –Marketing is like fuel for a business, without it, a company cannot sustain itself for long. It is used to fulfil every business requirement.

Increase Sales-It is important to boost sales and revenue.

Save Cost & Time-With this tool; a business can quickly reach a large audience. It helps in creating brands awareness, improves sales and extends customer services.

The above mentioned concept elucidates in detail the ‘Difference between the Selling and Marketing’ for the Commerce students. To know more, stay tuned to BYJU’S.