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Lead generator vs sales/account representative

The differences between lead generators and sales/account representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a lead generator, becoming a sales/account representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a sales/account representative has an average salary of $56,954, which is higher than the $24,158 average annual salary of a lead generator.

The top three skills for a lead generator include lead generation, good communication and CRM. The most important skills for a sales/account representative are customer service, CRM, and sales process.

Lead generator vs sales/account representative overview

Lead GeneratorSales/Account Representative
Yearly salary$24,158$56,954
Hourly rate$11.61$27.38
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs6,802257,122
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4447
Years of experience64

What does a lead generator do?

A lead generator is someone who attracts and converts interested strangers and prospects to buy a product or service from a company. Lead generators need to establish a lead generation process to attract leads. In marketing, they initiate customer inquiries or interest in services or products. The skills required for this job include business development, digital and email marketing, leadership, communication, attention to detail, and business management. They also must be knowledgeable in the field of marketing.

What does a sales/account representative do?

A sales account representative is responsible for managing and responding promptly to customer complaints and queries of clients. They focus on customer concerns and contact prospects. They work on upselling or cross-selling products and services, collaborating with account executives, and prepare reports to upper management. This job requires you to be a goal-driven person, energetic, and have excellent communication skills. Moreover, this is a challenging job; at times, it requires being extra polite and calm in handling customer complaints and other related situations.

Lead generator vs sales/account representative salary

Lead generators and sales/account representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead GeneratorSales/Account Representative
Average salary$24,158$56,954
Salary rangeBetween $15,000 And $36,000Between $39,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOlympia, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyGoogleSmartsheet
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between lead generator and sales/account representative education

There are a few differences between a lead generator and a sales/account representative in terms of educational background:

Lead GeneratorSales/Account Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Lead generator vs sales/account representative demographics

Here are the differences between lead generators' and sales/account representatives' demographics:

Lead GeneratorSales/Account Representative
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 56.4% Female, 43.6%Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between lead generator and sales/account representative duties and responsibilities

Lead generator example responsibilities.

  • Manage LinkedIn group membership and posting of announcements.
  • Lead hiring and management over a team of sales, graphics and HTML programmers.
  • Generate leads to qualify them and enroll them in the Facebook exclusive educational support program.
  • Manage marketing activities including development and scheduling of campaigns, reporting, lead nurturing, and ROI.
  • Follow up on all leads generate by the website and cold calling, update all activity in SalesForce.com.
  • Generate new leads through home shows, booths at various Costco stores, fairs, and other misc.
  • Show more

Sales/account representative example responsibilities.

  • Generate leads and evangelize product to physicians in orthopedics, hematology, internal medicine, surgery, critical care and cardiology.
  • Assist external accounts in error resolution so that all EDI transactions process without manual intervention or delay.
  • Work with senior management to implement a sales program for new P3T software enhancement and participate in CRM application development team.
  • Collaborate with sales representatives to ensure new account set-up, establish specifications, and assist with EDI account maintenance and invoicing.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and literature utilize and present in sales calls.
  • Core competencies: -Administrative/computer skills: maintain CRM systems to successfully identify potential customers.
  • Show more

Lead generator vs sales/account representative skills

Common lead generator skills
  • Lead Generation, 31%
  • Good Communication, 10%
  • CRM, 7%
  • Digital Marketing, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
Common sales/account representative skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Sales Process, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Sales Strategies, 5%
  • Sales Techniques, 4%

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