Inbound vs. outbound marketing

Many have probably heard about both inbound and outbound marketing. In this very short blog post, we will quickly explain what they are about, and what differences these two marketing methods have.

What is inbound marketing?

Inbound Marketing focuses on good and relevant content on your website and social profiles that attract potential customers to you. A person with a buying need often search the web to find suppliers, information and to read what others are offering. Then it is for you as a business to give them good quality and relevant content that attracts this visitor.

It is:

• Attractive marketing
• Communication is interactive and two-way
• Customers come to you
• Provides a value to customers
• Is educational to customers
• Are the entertainments for the customers

examples:

• Blogging
• News
• videos
• Guide
• E-books

What is outbound marketing?

Outbound marketing is traditional advertising you send out to large quantities, hoping to meet potential customers. You pay a channel to get time and place to say something to people. It’s often very expensive to do outbound marketing, and you do not necessarily reach as many as you want, or more importantly, who you want. Purchasing habits have changed drastically in recent years and people have more control over what information they are exposed to.

It is:

• Disruptive marketing
• Communication is one-way
• Costly marketing
• This type of marketing is often ignored

examples:

• TV advertising
• Banner Ads
• Telemarketing
• Newspaper Advertising
• Advertising in mailbox

Inbound vs outbound marketing explained

With inbound, you can reach the customers wherever they are. With outbound, you are marketing to big masses, but very often it is ignored. With inbound marketing, you attract people who have a need and are already in the process of information gathering prior to a purchase. It’s easier to convert them as customers.

With outbound, you often market to people who most likely do not need your product/services, nor are they in a process of purchasing. And, of course, it is more difficult to land them as customers.

3 out of 4 inbound channels are less expensive than outbound. Just imagine what a blog post will cost versus a radio spot. With inbound marketing, you can position yourself as an expert in your industry – and this creates trust.

Outbound is disrupting marketing that often comes at the wrong time and it often just creates irritation.