Typically, we define the sales equation as Great Products (or Services) + Great Marketing = Great Sales.
Then, we spend our time, money and other resources focusing on both products and marketing. Larger companies develop entire departments that specifically manage products or marketing.
While the above equation is true in a general sense, both, great products or services and great marketing aren't always required in order to have great sales. You could have great marketing, but poor service. One example would be BoostMobile who have some of the most disturbing commercials - so disturbing, that you are likely to remember them [Example 1, Example 2, Example 3] - but, their service is awful. While BoostMobile offers unlimited everything for a flat $50 per month, the rates don't generate enough revenue to cover operating (and upgrade) expenses. Their mobile towers and technology can't handle the workload. Often, subscribers are receiving text messages up to 2 hours after the message was sent.
Then, there are countless companies who offer phenominal service, but their marketing is less than par. Just take your pick.
So, what's the secret? What does it take to have great sales? Is it great marketing or great products and services? Or, is it both?
While both are excellent contributors, great sales do not solely rest upon either. As a matter of fact, great sales has more to do with the plus sign ("+") between the two. In other words, how well both work with each other.
At that point, we begin using terminology such as "consistency," "familiarity," "brand recognition," or, just simply, "branding." How well known and easy to use is your product? How well does it serve a purpose?
Fantastic marketing pulls lowsy products into great sales. Great products push lowsy marketing into sales (mostly by referrals). (Side note: Many small businesses, self-employed and, even, churches, have poor - if any - marketing strategies. However, their clients or parishioners generate referrals which, in turn, increase buy-in.)
Again, great sales is not merely based on great products/services and great marketing, but, rather, the relationship between the two.
