How Sales Can Improve Relationships & Response Rates with Marketing

If you're reading this, you are likely in sales or marketing. These professions can be very similar but in practice are very different.

As the head of marketing, I have little time for people ("vendors") trying to sell me things. There's enough on my plate with a team of four at a growing middle-market company.

I've compiled my list of top tips for vendors to help people selling things be less annoying, more likely to get a response, and even sell something to people like me.

Cold emails and messages must contain the value proposition in a quantifiable metric. Don't say, "Our product can save time." How much time and whose time are you saving?

Research the prospect's company, team, and bio. I'm very annoyed if I have to explain what a CPA firm is or how many people are on my team. It's public information easily accessible on LinkedIn. If you can customize your messages, you can get my attention better.

Sending a gift might help, but only if it's nice, pretty, and useful. Enough said.

Close all of your tabs in Chrome during pitches and demos. The first thing I do is look at every single tab you have open. I am NOT listening.

Put your status on do not disturb. I read every notification that pops up. Again, I am NOT listening. Put your status on do not disturb, and open a browser window solely for the demo or presentation.

LISTEN. If someone takes a meeting with you, listen to that person. Don't pressure them into anything they don't want. Ask what is possible.

Unfortunately, even if you do everything right, your target still might not respond. I feel bad about it sometimes, but marketers do not have time to respond to every sales email, call, and message.

I welcome your ideas and feedback on this article. Please comment on this article below.