When it comes to email marketing, there’s a lot of debate over whether it should be classified as inbound or outbound. The answer, of course, is that it can be both! In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of using inbound email marketing and how you can get started with this powerful strategy.
What is outbound marketing?
Outbound marketing is the traditional form of marketing that involves actively reaching out to customers through channels like advertising, cold-calling, or email blasts.
The goal of outbound marketing is to interrupt customers in their everyday lives and get them to take notice of your product or service.
While this can be effective in some cases, it’s often seen as intrusive and can quickly turn customers off.
Such as:
-TV Ads
-Google Ads
-Billboards
-Cold calls
-Direct mail
What is inbound marketing?
Inbound marketing is a more modern approach that focuses on earning the attention of customers through relevant and helpful content.
Instead of interrupting customers with cold calls or ads, inbound marketers work to build relationships with potential customers by providing them with valuable content that solves their problems.
Inbound marketing is often seen as more effective and efficient than outbound marketing, and it’s a great way to build long-term relationships with your target audience.
This can include:
-Ebooks
-Webinars
-Infographics
–SEO
Is email marketing outbound or inbound marketing?
What’s the difference?
Email marketing can be used for both inbound and outbound marketing. However, it’s generally most effective when used as part of an inbound marketing strategy.
Inbound email marketing focuses on building relationships with potential customers by providing them with valuable content that solves their problems. This content is then sent directly to their inbox, where they can consume it on their own time.
This is opposed to outbound email marketing, which involves sending emails to potential customers in an effort to interrupt them and get them to take notice of your product or service.
1- Inbound emails are sharable:
Customers can easily share your content with their friends and followers, which helps you reach a larger audience.
Outbound emails are often seen as intrusive: customers are more likely to see your email as an interruption if they’re not already familiar with your brand.
2- Inbound emails are targeted:
Inbound emails are sent to customers who have already shown an interest in your product or service. This makes them more likely to engage with your content and less likely to unsubscribe from your list.
Outbound emails are often sent to large lists of contacts without much regard for their interests. As a result, they have a high unsubscribe rate and low engagement.
3- Inbound emails are more cost-effective:
Inbound email marketing is a great way to build long-term relationships with your target audience. And, because you’re not paying to interrupt them, it’s often more cost-effective than outbound marketing.
Outbound email marketing can be expensive:
Outbound email marketing requires you to pay for lists of contacts, as well as the design and development of your email campaign. This can quickly add up, making it one of the more expensive marketing strategies.
4- Inbound can evolve:
Inbound email marketing is highly customizable and can be easily segmented to target specific groups of customers. It can also be quickly adapted to changes in your marketing strategy or emerging trends.
Outbound emails are less flexible: Outbound email campaigns are often designed around a specific offer or promotion. This makes them less flexible and harder to change on the fly.
Email marketing is a great way to reach and engage with potential customers.
However, it’s generally most effective when used as part of an inbound marketing strategy. Inbound email marketing focuses on building relationships with potential customers by providing them with valuable content that solves their problems. This content is then sent directly to their inbox, where they can consume it on their own time.
5- Inbound emails are more likely to be read:
Inbound email marketing is a great way to build long-term relationships with your target audience. And, because you’re not paying to interrupt them, it’s often more cost-effective than outbound marketing.
Outbound email campaigns are often designed around a specific offer or promotion. This makes them less flexible and harder to change on the fly, which can make them less effective overall.
Email marketing is a great way to reach and engage with potential customers, but it’s important to understand the difference between inbound and outbound email marketing before you create your strategy.