According to Hubspot, a popular software and marketing company, Outbound marketing “is a traditional method of marketing seeking to obstruct potential customers. Outbound marketing includes activities such as trade shows, seminar series and cold calling.” 

Inbound marketing, on the other hand, is helping potential clients find your company. This can happen by creating valuable content or experiences customized to them. The strategy utilizes content marketing, blogs, SEO, or social media to generate brand awareness and gain new business.

Inbound Marketing or Outbound Marketing?

Let’s start with the basics. Outbound marketing requires paying for seminars, trade shows, events, door-to-door sales, or people to cold call. In this day and age, the average person has figured out how to block “spam calls,” which has led cold calling to a dead end. Door-to-door sales are pointless when the majority of people are at work, maybe not during COVID, but you get the point. Another factor to take into consideration is the cost of attending or participating in a tradeshow/event. Most people are not going to head to these because they’re expensive, and they can find all the information they want on companies and brands online. So long are the days of outbound marketing, and hello to the days of inbound marketing.

Inbound marketing is cost-effective and consists of entirely organic leads. Consumers are finding your company because you’re placing educational, entertaining, and welcoming content to customers. This type of marketing spreads brand awareness, causing people to want to know more about your company. The best part about this type of marketing is it relies strictly on brains rather than budget.

Conclusion

Inbound Marketing takes the win in our book. While outbound marketing uses a more a “sales” approach, sending messages to an uninterested audience; inbound marketing offers content for distinct, interested audiences. Not to mention inbound marketing is less expensive.