Many that have careers in marketing may not actually like selling, in the traditional sense. Instead, they will analyze who the target market is for a product, (those most likely to purchase it), and what method will generate the most sales, whether that is television and radio advertising, coupons, the Internet, Twitter or Facebook.
Once the marketing department has analyzed the best market to sell, the best way to sell the product and the materials necessary to make the sales effort successful, they will put together the marketing plan for the sales department to follow.
For example, if you have a product that most middle aged women tend to purchase at the drugstore, your sales department would have little success in marketing it to men during a sporting event. Without the direction of the marketing department, many companies would fail. Marketing positions are one of the most important functions in a company, and can be responsible for its success or failure.
Marketing can involve positions in public relations or promotions. While the marketing department may analyze the demographics of the potential customers, public relations and promotional departments have to analyze what triggers their purchasing impulses.
The company’s public image is built on the public relations or lack of them. If a company is actively promoting its image in a community, they are likely to be the first place many people will go when they are in need of a product that the company sells.
Positions in public relations involve working closely with the marketing department to make sure the company’s image is in line with the direction the marketing department intends. For example, if your company offers a luxury item for higher income people, you would not want to portray a company image of a bargain brand.
Promotions are another important part of the marketing effort. If you are going to offer special promotions, you have to analyze what factors will cause a person to purchase the product now, rather than wait.
In general, those that are the most successful in marketing careers may also make good salespeople. Outgoing, empathetic, understanding, personable, creative and intellectual could describe those in marketing, public relations and promotions. You have to be able to analyze the emotional issues behind the sales impulses of your customers and capitalize on them for increased sales and profitability. Knowing how to analyze purchasing trends and demographics of your customers is important in knowing the most effective way to market your product, advertise, promote and sell it.
