While sales and marketing have always been connected, even though there has always been a division between the two functions in many companies, they have never been more intertwined than they are today. It’s more common than ever for sales professionals to dip into the marketing playbook to further campaigns, adding new dimensions to their sales strategy to drive up sales.

“When you begin to close the gap between sales and marketing you’ll immediately see an improvement in the data and resources that travel in both directions; sales can provide deeper insights into audience relationships and marketing can use that data to provide sales with a wealth of targeted content,” says Derek Cromwell from kissmetrics.

One of the most effective strategies sales professionals can borrow from marketing is content marketing.

Ways Your Sales Team Can Use Content Marketing to Drive Up Sales

Here are some highly effective content marketing strategies that sales reps can use to boost their performance, effectiveness, and drive sales:

1. Be a thought leader:

Customers today expect more out of sales reps. Many customers don’t engage with sales reps simply because they feel like they are just being sold to and don’t get anything in return. This changes when you become a thought leader. When sales reps can provide insights, information and guidance to customers, they are more willing to listen, develop a relationship and buy from you when they are ready to make a purchase.

2. Be a content producer:

Your prospects are always looking for new information to help them solve their pain points. So give it to them. Develop content that specifically helps your prospects with their issues and helps them achieve their business objectives. The more specific you can be, the better.

3. Be a networking hub:

One of the best ways to build trust with your customers is to offer them value in other ways than just what you are trying to sell them. Your clients need to build brand awareness as much as you do, so why not help them do it? Be a connection to leads and influencers, help them share their content using your marketing channels, and provide them with contacts that can help them with other facets of their business.

These are three effective ways that sales teams can use content marketing to improve upon their sales process and strategy, and provide better overall service to prospects and current customers.

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