Digital marketing requires a balance between inbound and outbound marketing strategies. Both have advantages, but many business leaders wonder which option maximizes their return on investment. 

Inbound Marketing 

Inbound marketing is a marketing strategy centered around the consumer. The primary motivation for inbound marketing is to create valuable content tailored to your target audience's needs and interests, naturally attracting these ideal customers to your business.

Inbound marketing strategy may include content marketing (blogs), tutorials, meet-the-team videos, SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, and more. 

Inbound Marketing Advantages

• Increase authority in your industry 
• Builds trust and credibility
• Long-term strategy
• Improve the quality of leads
• Higher return on investment

Inbound Marketing Disadvantages

• Hard to do it right 
• Requires experience
• Not as effective in the short-term

Outbound Marketing 

Outbound marketing is a strategy centered around the business rather than the customer. This marketing strategy is akin to “traditional” marketing, wherein a business blasts out its message to the public instead of its target market specifically. The goal is for the business to initiate the conversation and find customers rather than allowing the company to be seen by fewer, better clients. 

Outbound marketing strategy may include television and radio advertisements, telemarketing, outdoor ads/ billboards, direct mail, door-to-door sales, brochures, and more. 

Outbound Marketing Advantages 

• Short-term strategy
• High reach 

Outbound Marketing Disadvantages 

• Inefficient 
• Does not grow reputation, trust, expertise, or credibility
• Expensive, lower return on investment

The Best of Both Worlds

In digital marketing, we recommend combining the force of both strategies to gain as many advantages as possible.