Difference Between Soft Selling And Hard Selling you have several sales strategies so that your products or services can reach the target market and there is a purchase conversion. In the business world, there are the terms method and hard selling method. Then what are the meanings and differences between in sales strategy?
Many lay people and even novice businessmen are still confused about the two methods. In fact, if you can understand and master the techniques of soft selling and hard selling. As well as being able to apply a combination of both in business, there is a high chance that the business will be successful.
For those of you who are novice businessmen or have an interest in going into the business world later. You must read this article to the end to find out and understand the difference between these two methods!
Definition Of Soft Selling
Soft selling or subtly is a method of gently approaching consumers and even the target consumer is not aware that he is being targeted. This is because soft selling aims to target the emotions and thoughts of consumers to be better acquainted with a particular brand or product name.
Soft selling has a long-term goal, namely so that the product name is known to the public in advance and does not aim to buy it right away. Some examples of Soft selling are branding, endorsements, giveaways, CSR or corporate social responsibility, to public relations.
For concrete examples, you can take the example of Gojek’s advertisement. The branding and advertisements that are displayed from Gojek always manage to touch the emotional side of the audience. So even after watching the Gojek advertisement, consumers do not immediately use Gojek’s services. However, the power of the Gojek name has finally become very large and becomes the first choice for most Indonesian consumers when they need a vehicle online.
So the method has a focus on how to build a good business image and be accepted by the wider community. So that in their minds a positive image will be embedded and become the first alternative that appears in the minds of consumers when they need a product or service.
Definition Of Hard Selling
Then the second is the hard selling method, which is the exact opposite of the previous soft selling method. Hard selling or direct selling is a strategy for promoting goods or services that is focused on influencing consumer action. Hard selling puts more emphasis on taking action by consumers rationally to immediately buy goods or services because of the additional benefits of a product.
The purpose of hard selling is for short-term deals, so that consumers make purchasing decisions right away. Some examples of hard selling are discounts, product bundling, to limited offers such as the new year’s special edition or the special Eid edition. So that consumers will feel pity and loss if they don’t buy during the discount.
An example is like when you are walking in the supermarket or mall. Then you walked into a clothing store because you were looking for sweatpants. Then it turns out that there is a 50% discount for purchasing a set of sweatshirts and pants. Finally, you bought a set of clothes and sports pants because you felt sorry while they were still on discount. In fact, the original purpose was to buy only pants and not clothes. However, because of the discount, I ended up buying both because I felt it was more profitable to buy a set at a discount. This is how hard selling works.
Therefore, this method of promotion with hard selling is usually intended for a short-term buying strategy. For example, at the end of the year, to spend stock of goods, Buy 1 Get 1 free is held. Or big discounts. It is hoped that with this direct offer, consumers are immediately moved to buy because they are afraid of running out.
8+ Businesses That Make Money Daily
The Difference Between Soft Selling And Hard Selling
After discussing the meaning of each direct sale and subtly selling. Now is the time to compare what are the differences between these two promotion methods? which is better? And how to implement it in business? The following are some aspects of the differences between soft selling and hard selling that you need to know.
1. Time Required
Soft selling aims to build the public’s trust in brands. And trust is something that must be built for a long time to be trusted by the community. The advantage of soft selling is that if the audience already believes in a product or brand, they will usually be loyal.
Plus they will recommend the product or brand voluntarily to the people closest to them. So that trust in a brand will be high and it will be the first choice every time you buy a certain product. So the soft selling method takes a long time and needs to be ongoing.
This is the opposite of hard selling, which is shorter and to the point. Where consumers are asked to directly transact on the spot with the lure of lower prices, more savings, and more profits.
Therefore, usually hard selling is done with a short time limit. Like 50% off only for today’s purchase!
2. Consumer Interest In The Product
Soft selling makes the public interested in the whole concept of the product. For example a brand that emphasizes an environmentally friendly image, or a brand that shows support for women’s issues. So that there is a strong emotional bond between consumers and businesses because they feel they have the same interests and goals. So that with soft selling will produce loyal consumers.
Meanwhile, the hard selling method does not provide space for consumers to explore more about the products offered. But more focus on the material benefits that will be obtained by consumers when buying these products. So it could be that, when the promotion or discount period ends, consumers will switch to other products or brands that are cheaper or provide more profit.
How to Build Rapport during the Sales Process
3. Promotion Purpose
The objectives of the promotion of these two methods are also very different. For soft selling in addition to gaining the trust of the audience, it is also for the company’s image and expanding consumer reach. So the success of soft selling is not judged from the number of sales transactions that occur. But from the good impression built in the community.
The main focus of hard selling is sales conversion, the more transactions that occur, the more successful the promotion.
Both soft selling and hard selling, both have different objectives. Can’t say soft selling is better or worse than hard selling or vice versa. However, both can be done to improve business promotion.
You can use soft selling at the beginning of starting a business or when launching a new product so that people are familiar with your product like endorsements. Then after the olshop or your business begins to be known by many people, you can apply hard selling to lure people to buy your products.
How, do you already understand the difference between soft selling and hard selling? If you already understand, please apply it in your business in the future. And if you don’t understand, you can leave your questions in the comments below! Happy business!
