Inbound Marketing Solutions for the Digital Age
Marketing has traditionally been defined as the process by which companies create customer interest in goods or services.
Simple enough, right?
WRONG!
Marketing encompasses everything from brochures, white papers, flyers, spec sheets, websites, SEO, SEM, social media, PR, blogs, case studies, landing pages, auto-responders, trade shows, seminars… The list goes on and on.
In this day and age, it’s impossible to find someone who can be an expert at all of these things, and then some. As such, modern day marketing is defined by specific sets of activities, which fall into one of 2 categories: inbound marketing or outbound marketing.
Now you might be thinking to yourself, “I’ve got more than enough to handle with just plain ol’ fashioned marketing, what in the heck is inbound marketing?”
If so, don’t sweat it! Allow us to explain.
INBOUND MARKETING
Marketing where people who are already learning and shopping in your industry find you. It allows you to truly “get found”
EXAMPLES:
Blogs/Article Marketing, PR, Search Engine Optimization(SEO), Social Media, Networking, Newsletter, Online Events/Webinars
OUTBOUND MARKETING
A traditional style of marketing where a company initiates the conversation and send its message out to an audience
EXAMPLES:
TV Commercials, Print Advertisements, Tradeshows, Cold Calling, Email Blasting, Direct Mail, Radio Spots
The ugly, ugly facts
Recent studies indicate that the average person is inundated with close to 2000 outbound marketing messages PER DAY. That means 14,000 marketing messages a week, over 60,000 per month – and over 700,000 marketing messages PER YEAR!
It’s no wonder satellite radio, spam blockers, caller ID, and TiVo have become so popular. To the consumer, these devices are lifesavers. To you, the marketer, they are a death sentence, since they block your messages from getting to your potential buyers.
As a result, outbound marketing is becoming less and less effective (although still an important component of any well planned marketing plan). Results are more difficult to track and typically less profitable than inbound marketing. Ironically, organizations are still spending as much as 90% of their marketing budgets on these inefficient types of campaigns. As ROI becomes more important than ever, you can expect to see some major shifts in these numbers over the next few years.
The bottom line is this: the rules of marketing are changing! More and more companies are turning to inbound marketing methods as an additional source of brand awareness, lead generation, and sales. The challenges of this type of marketing transformation are centralized around developing a unique hook that is a differentiator from the competition. Creativity is key.
Are you thinking outside the box? Or are you stuck in it?
Creativity can be the single most critical factor in an inbound marketing campaign. Not sure if you’re up for the challenge? Take our “Creativity Self Assessment” test to find out for sure. Already know you aren’t up for it? CONTACT US today for your free consultation.
Give us the opportunity and we’ll work with you to create a successful inbound marketing campaign that will catapult you ahead of your competition.
Why spend 90% of your time and budget on campaigns and projects that will continue to diminish in value? Increase your brand awareness, increase your leads, increase your sales – increase your ROI. Most companies are still just learning about the effectiveness of a strategic inbound marketing campaign. This competitive edge won’t last though – don’t miss your chance to get a running head start.
CONTACT US today at 727-424-7147 for your free consultation – help is just a few keystrokes away.