Inbound Marketing Basics: Part 1 The Origins of Inbound Marketing
Have you ever felt bombarded by ads everywhere you turn? That's the old way of marketing, where businesses would try to get your attention by any means possible, often interrupting your day. Think of fishing with a net rather than a spear. This method is what we call outbound marketing. And some businesses still use it.
There's a friendlier, less intrusive (and more effective) way for businesses to reach people: Inbound Marketing. Let's break it down into simpler terms so it's easier to understand and see how it really benefits both businesses and customers.
So, What Was Marketing Like Before?
Think back to when you were watching TV and a commercial came on or received a bunch of flyers in your mailbox — that's outbound marketing. It's all about companies pushing their messages out to as many people as possible, hoping some will listen. It's a bit like someone using a megaphone to talk to a crowd; it's loud and not very personal.
Things have shifted in some major ways, but let’s take a look at two large factors:
There is a significant shift in knowledge from a few (in most places, salespeople) to the many (the consumer). We are now all experts, or with a few clicks, can become experts.
The amount of ways to reach potential customers has growth expenecially in the last decades. The noise has also increased as well.
Which brings us to our next point...
A Big Change: The Internet & Apps
With the internet, people could start looking up things they were curious about. They didn't have to wait for a TV show to tell them or a magazine to publish an article. They could search for what they wanted when they wanted. See a cool car on the road? Google it. Looking for a receipt for fancy grilled cheese? Pinterest, here I come. What should I read next? Open that Amazon app.
This shift meant that the old megaphone approach wasn't as effective anymore. People didn't like being interrupted by ads; they preferred to find information on their own terms.
The Friendly Approach: Inbound Marketing
This is where inbound marketing steps in. Instead of shouting messages at you, inbound marketing is like a friendly guide that's there when you're looking for something. For example, if you're trying to learn how to garden, an inbound marketing approach would be a company creating helpful articles or videos on gardening tips. When you search for gardening advice, you find their helpful information, and just like that, you've discovered their business in a natural and helpful way.
Pro Tip: Remember, there is no one solution for everything. You have more than one tool in your tool belt. Stay open to all your options. You may need to use multiple solutions to solve your problem.
How Do Businesses Use Inbound Marketing?
Businesses use the Internet to share helpful content, like blog posts, instructional videos, or even fun quizzes. They use SEO—that's just a fancy term for making sure their content shows up when you search for something related on the Internet. Social media is also used to share this content so that it finds its way to people who are interested.
Why It's Great for Everyone
Inbound marketing is like a two-way street. It's better for businesses because they get to show how knowledgeable and helpful they are, which makes people more likely to trust them. And it's better for people like you and me because we find the information or answers we're looking for without feeling like someone's just trying to sell us something.
Wrapping Up
So, that's the gist of inbound marketing. It's a kinder, more thoughtful way for businesses to connect with people like us. And the best part? It's all about being helpful and creating a positive experience. In our upcoming posts, we'll explore how this approach helps businesses grow and how it could even be something you use if you ever decide to start your own business or project.
If this all sounds new and a bit overwhelming, don't worry. We'll take it step by step. Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts below. And if you're curious to learn more, stick around for the next part of this series!
