You know how important communication is to your job. And most likely you're pretty good at it.
Still, the successful sales and marketing professional needs to ask, "How can I be better at communicating?"
(And constantly asking, "How can I be better at innovating, customer service, motivating, and balancing work-life tasks?")
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We went to our experts from the employee benefits industry to give us some tips. And they delivered.
Here are our 10 favorite tips for communicating in marketing and sales.
1. Use authentic language.
"Connect with your clients. Steer clear of jargon, and be positive and transparent. Appeal to emotions, and remember that people want to do the right thing."
—Bruce Hentschel, Principal Financial Group
2. Be prompt in replying to clients.
"My goal is to return calls and emails the same day. At 5 p.m, there are no outstanding voicemails or emails on my list."
—Benefits Selling columnist Brian Hicks
3. Stay in touch.
Don't limit communication to the open enrollment period. Keep in touch year round.
4. Get the details right.
Remember details about your clients—their kids' names, their hobbies, their birthday—and remember to bring it up with them during conversations.
5. Connect in person.
Continue to make calls and arrange face-to-face meetings over coffee—email isn't always enough of a connection.
6. Use technology.
Follow up via email.
7. Keep it simple.
"Be clear and use easy-to-follow steps in verbal and written communications. Don't complicate it with education or too much detail."
— Bruce Hentschel, Principal Financial Group
8. Keep it short.
Work on your elevator pitch.
9. Use your signature.
Have an email signature that includes your name, title, company name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and social media handles.
10. Consider different generations' preferences.
Millennials may prefer a different type of communication than baby boomers, for example.
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