Difference between advertisement and personnel selling

We know advertisement and personnel selling are the important elements of promotion mix. These two elements are tied together. Because without advertisement personnel selling is waste and vice versa. But there are lots of differences are observed. They are discussed below.

Method of usage of personal selling and advertisement is the first point talks the difference. Advertisement is the dissemination of information through a paid media. This is an impersonal method. In this method manufacturer do not depend on the persons to make the sales. But personnel selling always depend on the persons to reach the product and services to the consumers. So it is personal method. When comes to the coverage or target audience is another difference. An advertisement is always focused a mass audience and expect huge coverage of reaching information about a product or service. Whereas personnel selling is directed to the individuals and reaches lesser coverage.

Advertisement is considered as less effective and efficient in making sales when compared to personnel selling. Advertisement makes an awareness and attractiveness to the product. Bit personnel selling can make the people more convinced and make the sales easy. Also the type of communication plays a difference over here. Advertisement is regarded as one way communication. Different media are delivering advertisement which is one way communication. This can give information. But there are no opportunities to get clarified about the product. This is facilitated only through personnel selling. Here a sales man make a two way communication and can convey the consumer fully. Flexibility is another matter. Once an advertisement is made, the contents and strategies used cannot be changed. What is fixed should be followed. Every time the same thing should be repeated to the customers. Personnel can be flexible according to customers’ behavior. The sales man can identify and understand the potential people and create an interest to buy. This leads to the closing of sale.