Understanding the key differences between sales and marketing allows you to streamline business operations and ensure clear communication across the board. Below, we’ll answer all your questions about sales and marketing. And we’ll reveal exactly how you can align your sales and marketing teams to boost efficiency and profit.

Companies of all sizes want to increase revenue. But at one point or another, all revenue growth is hindered by time. Even if sales reps sold a product every second for 24 hours a day, that productivity would hit a limit. You then have two choices: hire a larger sales team, or enter a channel sales partnership. Most companies choose the second option to save time, cut costs, and expand their market.

If you’ve heard the term “unique selling proposition” or “unique selling point” thrown around lately but aren’t quite sure what it means, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll provide a clear unique selling proposition definition and answer some of the most common questions people have about USPs. We’ll also show you 10 unique selling proposition examples to jumpstart the tricky process of crafting the perfect one to increase sales.

Sales technology has come a long way from the Rolodex and the post-it note. Sales teams can now connect with leads and clients in more ways than ever before, from emails to phone calls to video conferences. All that constant communication is made possible in part by Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology. Sales reps use CRM systems to capture every interaction, keep contact info up to date, and manage accounts of all sizes. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

During the company’s all-hands meeting, you find out a sales manager role has opened up. As a seasoned sales rep, you naturally get excited—until you realize that you don’t know how to transition from a sales agent to a sales manager. You begin to wonder, Do I have what it takes? If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Ask any sales manager, and they’ll tell you the journey to leading a sales team isn’t easy.

Longtime customers are the lifeblood of a business. According to Marketing Metrics, you are 14 times more likely to sell to an existing customer than you are to attract a new one. What’s more, acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than simply investing in retaining one you already have. Upselling to existing customers is essential to growth.

The pressure is on as a sales professional. You must keep up with constant changes in buyer behavior while connecting with potential customers, nurturing leads, and closing deals—all in hopes of hitting your sales targets. Handling so many tasks at once certainly isn’t easy, but you can thrive with the right set of sales skills and qualities in your arsenal. If you want to learn how to be a better sales rep, start by mastering these essential selling skills.

In many ways, the pandemic has forced sales teams to become more efficient. Many teams have switched to a digital-first approach, which allows for more interactions on a daily basis. It also means spending less time and money on commuting and traveling. However, remote sales teams have a bigger hurdle when it comes to forging genuine human connections—and not just between sales representatives and customers, but also between one another.

Customer acquisition cost (CAC) was on the rise for many companies prior to COVID-19. According to ProfitWell, CAC for businesses increased by approximately 60 percent between 2014 and 2019. But since the onset of COVID-19, brands have actually been acquiring new customers more cost-effectively. McKinsey & Company reports that the shift to digital sales led to 30 percent higher acquisition efficiency for businesses.

Remote sales have become increasingly common, but it took a pandemic to truly establish virtual selling as the new normal. A McKinsey survey conducted in the wake of Covid-19 found that over 75 percent of buyers and sellers alike now prefer virtual sales meetings over face-to-face interactions. And just 20 percent of B2B buyers said they wanted to go back to in-person presentations of the past. This would seem to be the evolution of the classic “road warrior” salesperson.