The Simplest Definition of Sales and Marketing

Adam Payne • 12 September 2020

What is Sales, What is Marketing, and Everything In Between

The Simplest Definition of Sales and Marketing: A Comprehensive Breakdown

Sales and marketing are the lifeblood of every business, big or small. Both are equally important to achieve a business's goals. Let's dive deeper into this dynamic duo to better understand their definitions, relationship, and evolution in the ever-changing business landscape.

Sales and Marketing: A Powerful Synergy

Sales and marketing, although distinct, should always work in tandem to boost your business's success. At their core, marketing is focused on creating awareness, establishing trust, and convincing potential customers to choose your product or service. Sales, on the other hand, revolves around completing the transaction and generating revenue.

The Circus Analogy

A fitting analogy to help illustrate the difference between advertising, promotion, publicity, public relations, sales, and marketing can be seen through a circus coming to town. This is simplest explanation we've ever come across and it goes like this...

...If the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying “Circus coming to the Showground Saturday” – that’s Advertising

If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town – that’s Promotion

If the elephant walks through the mayor’s flower bed and the local press writes a story about it – that’s Publicity

If you get the mayor to laugh about it – that’s Public Relations

If the towns people go to the circus and you show them the many entertainment booths, explain how much fun they’ll have spending money on entertainment, answering their questions and they ultimately spend a lot at the circus – that’s Sales

and if you planned the whole thing - that's Marketing!

Marketing For Small Business Owners Vs Large Corporations

When you’re a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture. You want to grow your company and get more customers, but sometimes it can feel like you have to play by the same rules as your larger competitors—or that you should at least try to do what they do.

But there is a world of difference between marketing for a small business owner vs large corporation, so don’t get into mirroring what your larger competitors are doing. (Take ideas, but don’t mirror)

The large corporations have differing priorities when it comes to marketing some of these are as follows..

  • Pleasing the board
  • Pleasing the directors
  • Appeasing the shareholders/stakeholders
  • Getting buy-in from committees
  • Mass Market Branding
  • Making a Profit

For the Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner it comes down to

  • Cashflow and Making a Profit

and the Marketing Strategy you apply into this makes the world of difference combined with your execution.

What Your Marketing Needs for Success: Strategy and Execution

Long-term marketing success requires a balanced marriage between strategy and execution. Developing a solid marketing strategy provides direction, purpose, and a roadmap to reach your goals. It is important that the execution of the strategy is carried out effectively to ensure growth.


Strategy vs. Execution


  • Strategy involves long-term planning, considering the business's future position, and outlining steps to get there. It guides your decisions, like customer target segments, channels, products, and services.
  • Execution involves short-term planning that puts your strategy into practice. It includes creating content, engaging in marketing activities, and implementing the necessary processes to reach your target audience.


Never forget that both elements are crucial for success. Whether you're a small business owner or part of a large corporation's marketing team, a well-thought-out strategy and efficient execution are essential to overcoming challenges, outsmarting competitors, and driving growth.


Key Takeaways


Understanding the synergy between sales and marketing, differentiating their approaches for small businesses and large corporations, and balancing strategy and execution are vital aspects of a successful marketing campaign. No matter the size of your business, keep these concepts in mind when you develop your plan and execute your marketing activities.

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