
Inbound campaigns typically have lower costs and are spread over a longer timeframe. Once the campaign ends, most of the assets you've created aren't used again. Outbound campaigns are typically finite and short in length due mainly to their higher cost profile and risk levels. For example, evergreen content can produce leads long after it was first created, providing significant long-term ROI on your marketing activity. Inbound assets also have a longer lifetime than outbound campaigns. Outbound lead gen lets you, not your prospect, decide when they see adverts, receive calls, and are sent emails with no knowledge of, or care for, the prospect's readiness. You allow prospects to discover you when the time is right for them and by the means they prefer. In an inbound strategy you, for the most part, let prospects choose how they engage. The differences between these lead gen strategies are:Īs we've already explored, the fundamental difference between the inbound and outbound approaches to lead generation is who controls the timing and place of all activity - from consumption of content to exchange of information. The 3 differences between inbound and outbound lead generation Both methods require a good understanding of segmentation of the target audiences.The objective is to generate leads, or create demand.There are only two similarities between these two different approaches to lead generation: Similarities between inbound and outbound lead generation What is an outbound lead?Īn outbound lead can be defined as a B2B prospect that has been approached by you through an outbound channel, such as a cold email or cold call, and agreed to talk to your sales team. This adds risk and, as a result, campaigns tend to lead towards selling, rather than helping or educating. The majority of outbound tactics require a paid delivery mechanism, which adds additional costs. Types of outbound lead gen tacticsĭepending on how they are used, some of the tactics that can be considered typically outbound, in B2B marketing at least, include: In this scenario, it's you, not the prospect, who chooses the time and place of the interaction - hence the term "interruption marketing". Outbound lead generation is the sending or pushing of messages out to a target audience, regardless of whether they have asked for it or expressed an interest. Requests a demo after watching a webinar.


outbound: the rise and fall of marketing strategies

But outbound lead gen tactics still have a role to play in the marketing mix. Inbound is now the leading strategy for long-term success. It's undeniable that outbound lead generation has, generally, become less effective, especially in B2B marketing.
