Inbound and outbound marketing both have their own specific benefits. The difference between inbound and outbound marketing is detailed here.
Your website is the mouthpiece of your business. Whatever you post on your website has a public visibility. In fact, a outgoing marketing tool for your website would be also beneficial as you can then reach out to a larger audience and get them to respond to your website through an interactive inbound marketing tool. Read this article to know ways to increase your inbound marketing.
While all-pervasive marketing and sales efforts have been the mainstay for advertisers and marketers, customers are now getting tired of having their privacy affected by these. Ask any one what the biggest drawback of being connected 24×7 is, and they’ll mention – unwanted marketing and advertising that takes up their valuable time by seeking their attention.
These marketing and advertising methods that reach out to customers – can be termed as outbound marketing. However, not only is it expensive to reach out to so many people at once, but it also risks annoying valuable customers.
No one likes repeated mailings and messages about a fantastic new service. In fact, by targeting a large mass with outbound marketing, the success rate can never be too high.
Inbound Marketing
A new wave of Internet marketing and sales efforts is slowly gaining stream. Inbound marketing, as this is called, relied upon getting the customer to reach out to you. Instead of pushing your sales message to a prospective customer, like in outbound marketing, inbound marketing works by attracting the customer.
The Advantages of Inbound Marketing as Compared to Outbound Marketing
By using inbound marketing, you are targeting only those Internet users who might actually be interested in your product. This not only assures a greater rate of conversion, but also keeps the consumer engaged with your product and marketing efforts.
According to some commonly-touted statistics
Over 190 million people in the US are registered with the FTC Do-Not-Call registry
In India, the concern over outbound marketing has led to the TRAI pushing forward with a Do-Not-Disturb list that all cellular companies are now taking seriously. Violation of this not only pushes customers away, but can also lead to heavy fines
86% of all people change channels or get up when TV ads appear
Inbound marketing is trusted more as the customer himself comes to you. On the contrary, outbound marketing is seen as intrusive and is often dismissed as untrue
Spam, a method of outbound marketing, not only risks in having your campaign blacklisted by many email servers, but also risks cash fines and customer anger
Inbound marketing costs around 62% less per-person than outbound marketing
Almost half of all direct mail is thrown away unopened
You can educate the customer with inbound marketing straight away. There is no need to ascertain whether the customer even wants to hear what you have to say. On the other hand, with outbound marketing, you first have to spend time in convincing the customer to even listen to your sales message
Inbound marketing via Twitter, Facebook, or other methods enables two-way communication between the marketer and the customer
The Bottom Line
While the perfect mix of sales and marketing efforts can only be obtained through careful analysis on your product, your message, and your clientele, it is now commonly accepted that inbound advertising is the way ahead. Attracting visitors to your website or social network feed, and then pushing your message to those most likely to become your customers is what the new strategies are all about. Inbound marketing is now fast replacing outbound marketing, and for the simple reason that it is far more effective.