Inbound marketing versus outbound marketing

Ten years ago, marketers didn’t use the words “inbound” and “outbound” to describe different marketing strategies and tactics. All marketing fell under the same category, and the idea of separating the two was still very new. Because the internet is so big and can connect people to any kind of information they want at any time, it has become essential to understand not only the differences between these older, outbound methods of advertising and promotion and the newer, primarily digital inbound strategies but also how these two types of marketing can work together.

What is outbound marketing

Outbound marketing is the type that most people think of when they hear the word “marketing.” It includes billboards, radio ads, telemarketing, direct mail, and TV commercials. It includes banner and display ads, pop-up and pop-under ads, and cold email marketing in the digital world. In other words, outbound marketing is advertising or marketing that consumers don’t ask for. Because of this, it is also called “push marketing.” Outbound marketing has gotten a bad name in the past few years. Oversaturation has caused problems like banner blindness and the rise of ad blockers, especially online.

What’s inbound marketing?

Inbound marketing is a type of marketing that doesn’t bother people. It tries to help people solve problems or make decisions by providing helpful content. It brings in potential leads by using keywords and then turns them into customers by following them as they move through the buyer journey.

Inbound marketing is getting increasingly popular because you don’t have to bother people with annoying ads. Instead, you bring customers to you. People are looking for your content, so inbound marketing works.

Using methods like blogs, videography, podcasts, social media marketing, and newsletters, an inbound strategy tries to get customers to come to you by giving them interesting content they want to read. People will start to trust the brand over time, which will make them buy from it.

The difference between inbound and outbound marketing

Inbound marketing is a strategy where customers come to the company on their own, while outbound marketing is when the company goes out and finds customers. Inbound marketing strategies, like infographics, depend on creating qualified leads by giving content to specific groups of people that they will like. The hope is that this useful information will eventually lead people to buy something. Outbound marketing, on the other hand, focuses on direct sales techniques.

Finding the best marketing strategy

Ultimately, the best way to market your business is the way that works. Don’t forget that audiences and markets change, so look at your data often. It’s possible that what worked last year won’t work this year. So, your mix of inbound and outbound marketing will almost certainly change over time, especially as advertising gets smarter and gives you new ways to target audiences and track engagement. If you are looking for a marketing strategy for your business, Cactus Media Group, a digital marketing company in Vancouver, will help you define your goals and plan your advertising and marketing strategy accordingly. Remember, measure, improve, and repeat are the three most important things you can do with any marketing campaign. Whether you like inbound or outbound marketing, make these three steps your goal whenever and wherever you can, and your results will be better.