Sales are basically activities pertaining to the sale of products or goods at a certain targeted point of time. The sale of a product, even at no cost to the seller is regarded as a sale. It is a basic unit of measurement in economics, marketing and business. In business, sales may refer to the total income from the sale of products to the buyer or to the producer, the distributor or the supplier, all of whom may not be associated with the actual sale of the goods. For instance, sales to the owner of the firm who distributes the goods are called sales to the owner, while sales to the retailer are called sales to the retailer.
Marketing and advertising sales are, however, totally different from sales. The former pertains to the marketing and promotion of products or services. And the latter pertains to the selling of the same products or services through various channels (such as sales, online marketing, network marketing, direct marketing, multi-level marketing, etc. ).
An effective sales strategy should include the following components: personal selling, direct selling, internet marketing and social media marketing. Each component contributes to the achievement of sales, while each can stand alone if it is strong enough. A good sales strategy is always ready to adapt itself to changing market conditions. For example, an effective internet marketing strategy might require adjustments depending upon the customer’s preferences.
A personal selling is a one-to-one interaction between the salesperson and the client. The sales process cannot succeed if the client is not satisfied with the product or service. A sales plan should clearly define the product or service to be sold and the expected end customers. The sales goal should also be specified and a timetable should be drawn to achieve those sales goals. A salesperson’s success depends largely on the extent of his understanding of the sales process.
Direct selling is the second business function that is essential to the survival of any business. A well-organized direct selling campaign will help increase sales and minimize losses. A well-thought out sales plan is required in order to create a profit. A strong sales team is necessary for making a profitable marketing strategy. This team should consist of a marketing specialist, a publicist and a salesperson who are committed to fulfilling the company’s sales objectives.
Social media marketing refers to the use of social media in order to advertise a product or service. A company’s social media strategy is dependent on the type of products or services it offers. Marketing specialists can use marketing tools such as email, text message, podcasting, Facebook ads, YouTube video, and invoicing software to communicate with customers effectively. Invoicing software will make invoicing easy by allowing a salesperson to create custom reports and track payments.