The importance of Marketing and Sales

One of the most important and often least talked about things when it comes to business opportunities, especially home based ones is the dependence on marketing and sales. Many people want to be in business for themselves, but they do not want to be "in sales". This notion is absurd. Business is sales. Business revolves around the exchange of goods and or services for money. How do you expect people give you money if you don't know how to ask for it? Having enough money to adequately market your business can be extremely helpful in launching any business and or business opportunity. Advertising is just one component of marketing. However all money spent on advertising and other marketing to get interested prospects is a total waste if you cannot "close the sale". Marketing is a lot more than advertising however, it probably is the most costly part of any marketing campaign. PR is part of marketing. Networking is part of marketing. Direct mailers and promotional pieces are part of marketing. Talking in front of interested groups is part of marketing. Three foot rule introductions such as walking up to someone handing them your business card and telling them what you do is part of marketing. Knowing what to say to anyone after they express even the slightest amount of interest is sales. Designing a website that encourages a visitor to buy is sales. Answering questions in a way that encourages someone to purchase your offering is sales.

If you are the kind of person that does not see the importance of sales and marketing in any business, don't become self employed. If you are the kind of person that sees the importance of it but just cannot do it, then you better find, hire, contract with, or partner with someone that can. Get it? Marketing money is a necessity but only if you can make the sale. There is no such thing as something for nothing. OK, the next post.