Digital and tech innovations have drastically improved corporate marketing strategies over the decades. Hence, enterprises face no shortage of options when it comes to smart tactics that boost the efficiency of their operations and workflow.
Two common examples are inbound and content marketing. These terms have often been improperly used interchangeably. Although they do have their fair share of similarities, mainly from their objective to enhance visibility and stimulate sales growth, these are two individual and distinct strategies.
Below, let’s explore the primary differences between inbound marketing and content marketing. But, before that, let’s tackle the relevance of engaging in digital platforms, and why it’s a must for businesses of all industries.
Digital Media
Google reports that 40,000 of online searches are being made every second of each day. This equates to about 1.2 trillion of global searches annually. With this being said, it’s crucial for businesses to take advantage of the prevalence of “googling,” as utilizing search records and audience data helps them create better ads and target the right people.
Moreover, GO-Globe shares that an estimated 50% of individuals who do a smartphone search end up visiting the brand’s physical store within a day. In addition, within the same day, approximately 18% of these local mobile searches lead to an actual sale. To generate leads, companies turn to various methods, such as holding events and employing marketing strategies.
Inbound vs. Content
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Inbound Marketing
If you own a business, you’ll understand how vital it is for you to enter the virtual world. Your customers are online, so there’s no better way to reach them than by being online as well. In fact, Demand Signals reports that the purchasing behavior of about 82% of consumers is greatly influenced by their exposure to online information. In line with that, inbound marketing is a non-interruptive way to captivate prospects and convert leads to sales. This is a widely encompassing approach that entails various marketing means such as search engine optimization, blogging, social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising, and web design.
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Content Marketing
As compared to inbound marketing, content marketing is a more targeted approach that narrows its focus down to content production. Content Marketing Institute defines it as a marketing technique entailing the creation and distribution of relevant content to gain and sustain the interest of a defined audience.
Most marketers agree that content marketing is a subset of the more inclusive inbound marketing, considering that almost every means enumerated above, such as SEO and blogging, involves utilizing high-quality content to make websites more attractive.
The Bottom Line
Inbound and content marketing are separate but interrelated strategies. If you want your company to benefit from these innovative strategies, coordinate with a reliable digital marketing agency and discuss your needs and goals. There are numerous agencies out there that provide personalized marketing services. In Florida’s major cities, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa have marketing specialists who offer SEO and SEM services. Do some research and read reviews so you can sort through options more efficiently. Doing so ups your chances of achieving your desired business visibility, as well as induces an increase in lead generation and financial performance.