When I first stepped into the world of sales and marketing, one of the most important lessons I learned was the difference between on-sales and off-sales. At first, I thought sales was just about closing deals—but over time, I realized there’s a whole journey before and after that transaction.
Let me break it down in my own words.
What is On-Sales?
On-sales is everything I do before the customer makes the purchase. It’s the active effort to bring them in, convince them, and close the deal. Think of it as the “courtship” stage—where I’m building trust, answering objections, and showing value.
Example:
When I was working on a campaign for a SaaS product, the on-sales activities included demo calls, sharing case studies, running targeted ads, and offering free trials. All of these were designed to convert a prospect into a paying customer.
Strategies I use in On-Sales:
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Lead qualification – Not every lead is worth chasing, so I use tools and frameworks to focus on the ones most likely to buy.
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Consultative selling – Instead of pushing the product, I listen to the customer’s pain points and then position my solution accordingly.
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Urgency tactics – Limited-time offers or exclusive bonuses to nudge quicker decisions.
What is Off-Sales?
Off-sales, on the other hand, is everything that happens after the customer has purchased. This is about support, relationship-building, and ensuring the customer feels happy with their decision. A lot of people ignore this part, but I’ve learned that this is where true business growth lies—because loyal customers come back and also bring referrals.
Example:
When I helped a retail brand, off-sales included things like post-purchase emails, loyalty rewards, quick response to complaints, and surprise discounts on the customer’s birthday. One customer told me they stayed with the brand just because of how cared-for they felt even after the sale.
Strategies I use in Off-Sales:
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Customer support excellence – Fast resolution of problems creates trust.
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Feedback loops – Asking customers what could be improved not only gives insights but also makes them feel valued.
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Upselling and cross-selling – Once a customer trusts me, it’s easier to introduce them to complementary products.
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Loyalty programs – Rewarding repeat customers keeps them engaged longer.
Why Both Matter Together
If I only focus on on-sales, I might win new customers but lose them quickly. If I only focus on off-sales, I might keep existing ones happy but struggle to grow. True sales mastery, I’ve realized, is the balance of both.
In fact, one of my favorite strategies is to connect on-sales and off-sales—like using testimonials from happy customers (off-sales) to build credibility in new pitches (on-sales). This way, the cycle feeds itself.
Sales isn’t just about “closing.” It’s about building a relationship that starts before the purchase and continues long after. On-sales brings the customer in, but off-sales keeps them with you. If you want to grow sustainably—whether you’re selling software, clothes, or even your personal brand—you need both.
That’s what I’ve learned, and it has completely changed how I approach my work.
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