Inbound marketing is the way successful companies are marketing today. Business owners (SMB) who’ve been occupied with running their businesses (and not geeking out on the latest marketing trends) may be wondering how to do inbound marketing?
First, the definitions:
Outbound marketing, or traditional marketing, targets a broad audience using print ads, TV ads, telemarketing/cold calls or direct mail. It is a one-way street. The company sends out its message hoping to catch a prospect’s attention.
Inbound marketing involves getting found by potential customers as they search keywords online. Prospects come to you through search engine visibility, social media, a well-optimized website or pay per-click ads, to name a few. It is a two-way street because once they find you, you make it easy to interact.
With outbound marketing, the company is in control; inbound marketing puts the customer in control.
Inbound marketing is designed to:
- Drive more qualified buyers to your website
- Convert visitors into sales leads
- Convert leads into customers
- Systematically repeat your success and beat the competition
Is your company’s marketing plan sputtering for lack of results? Request a Strategy Session to see how to shift from outbound to inbound marketing – and measure the results.
Related post: Inbound marketing trends 2011
