Outbound marketing is when you reach out to prospective clients in the form of cold calling, advertising, email blasts, direct mail, linked-in messaging, etc.… This is what most of us think of in terms of what we understand marketing to be. The problem with outbound marketing is that it’s disruptive. You’re in the middle of a YouTube video and an annoying commercial interrupt your experience. You get turned off. It’s not targeted, so you’re casting a wide net, hoping to catch a few leads. The list goes on and on. 

Inbound marketing, on the other hand, flips the script. It is when you create content your audience wants. This can be in the form of a blog, article posting, education video, product review, digital tool/app, etc… This is much more effective because instead of pushing someone something they don’t want; you are pulling them in with a lead. It’s not a direct pitch of services. 

An effective way to market and get new clients is to do a combination of both. For example. You could run a target AdWords campaign with a very specific search string, so that if someone is looking for an answer to a question, your page comes up. 

Now, back to the original question. Should you give inbound marketing a shot? 

Absolutely. Inbound marketing offers a way to engage your audience in a more meaningful and less intrusive way. Instead of bombarding potential clients with cold calls, ads, or mass emails they didn’t ask for, inbound marketing invites them in with something they want, be it an insightful blog post, an educational video, or a useful digital tool. 

This method works because it’s focused on providing value. When you solve a problem or answer a question your audience has, you build trust and credibility, which can lead to long-term relationships. Plus, people who seek out your content are already interested in what you offer, making them more likely to convert into clients. 

If you combine inbound strategies with targeted outbound efforts, like promoting a lead magnet through specific ad campaigns, you can maximize your reach and effectiveness. So, yes, inbound marketing is worth exploring. It’s a smart way to grow your business by attracting the right people and letting your expertise shine.