Lessons From a 30-year Sales Veteran for Every Marketer

I started to bombard him with questions.

“What are the biggest lessons you have learned in your sales career?”

He kindly replied:

          

1. Treat customers better than you would like them to treat you: Salespeople understand the importance of exceptional customer service. This fundamental principle applies equally to marketers, reminding us to prioritize customer satisfaction in every interaction.

2. Don't assume that customers know what you know: Jargon can be a barrier to effective communication. Marketers should follow the salesperson's advice and explain concepts clearly, avoiding assumptions about the audience's level of knowledge.

3. Tailor your approach to cultural diversity: Acknowledging and respecting diverse backgrounds is crucial. Instead of sending generic holiday cards, consider expressing gratitude with a thoughtful "Thank you" card, ensuring you never unknowingly offend a client.

       
I continued on asking questions putting on my journalist hat. 

“What’s the best life lessons you can pass on?”

          1. Live within your means.
             How many people do you know are constanty in debt? Living up to the "Jones" is a sure recipre for financial strife.
          2. Be humble and appreciative of what you have.
             So many people don’t appreciate what’s in front of them. You don’t have to have the life of an Instagram
             influencer to be happy.
         3. Smiles cost you zero.
            A smile lights up a room, makes those around you happy and comfortable and lifts your spirits.

He added another “pearler”. No matter how high you reach, always be as polite to the person answering the phone as the person who owns a company.

Last but not least, some lessons for employees and leaders.

1. Don’t confuse activity with results.
2. Teach, train, coach and motivate your team. The rest should be done by your team.
3. “Marketing, salespeople cannot do their jobs without it.”

Informal conversations can provide unexpected insights. Learning from the experiences of salespeople can greatly benefit marketers. Embracing principles such as exceptional customer treatment, effective communication, cultural sensitivity, humility, and result-oriented approaches can enhance our marketing strategies and ultimately drive success. So, whether you're a digital marketing consultant, brand consultant, or marketing advisor, embrace the wisdom from the sales world and apply it to your marketing endeavors.

Image source: Shutterstock: 581985622