Angelfish Marketing Blog

Did you know...

Inbound marketing costs 61% less than outbound marketing, and has a greater return on investment - fact.

The digital marketing industry is constantly changing, and as a result of both its cost-saving benefits and other advantages over outbound marketing, inbound marketing seems to be the most effective way to go. But if outbound marketing worked before, why doesn't it work as effectively now?

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Put simply, the preparation of any business marketing strategy is just as important as the implementation of it; a detailed and strategic digital marketing plan sets the foundation to successful marketing and, therefore, better results.  

Cold calling to gain leads and generate revenue is a thing of the past.  

People do not want to be pummelled over the head with unsolicited and scripted sales pitches. No, today’s customer is brand-savvy and does research. He or she must feel connected to whichever company is offering the product or service required.  

Customers want to hear you, but they will also want to be heard by you. To achieve that rapport, you need to start thinking like inbound marketing service providers do! Our free Guide to Inbound Marketing will help you achieve this (download it here), as well as the following tips... 

Inbound marketing uses a subtler set of strategies compared to traditional outbound marketing techniques. It’s also a necessity for businesses that want to build a successful brand and stand apart from the competition.

Inbound marketing draws your customers to your products and services through the creation of content and campaigns that delight your target audience and transform them into brand advocates. For example, social media campaigns, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and content marketing are all core strategies under the inbound marketing umbrella.

Outbound marketing, on the other hand, tends to use more direct tools such as direct mail, telemarketing and events. However, research reveals one-third of marketers think outbound marketing tactics such as paid advertising are a waste of time and resources.

You already know the benefits of content marketing, right? As buyer behaviour continues to change, content marketing has emerged as a preferred way to build long-lasting relationships with potential customers over time. In fact, as the UK enters its fourth week of lockdown, this is more true than ever before as customers across the world consume record-breaking amounts of content. And it is these relationships that lead to sales, with content marketing having been proven to generate over three times as many leads as outbound marketing, all the while costing a whopping 62% less.  

Over the years, outbound marketing methods such as cold calling and print advertising have gradually fallen to the wayside as inbound marketing methods have risen in popularity. But what is it about inbound that makes it so popular - and therefore so essential for your 2020 digital strategy?

The challenge

Five months ago, we started working with a recruitment consultancy, M&E Global, who specialise in subcontracting work for the defence industry. Over the past 20 years, they’ve been offering a range of project solutions, supporting various global military contracts. They take a well-rounded approach to recruitment, not only finding their candidates jobs but also supporting them throughout the entirety of their contracts. This holistic approach to recruitment is what makes M&E unique, working closely with both candidates and clients so that all parties get exactly what they need.

When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you do?  

Perhaps you’re an early riser, taking the dog out for a walk as the sun climbs over the rooftops. Or maybe you stay in bed for as long as possible, hitting the snooze button until you absolutely have to get up? 

With 55% of marketers saying that blog content creation is their top marketing priority, it’s clear to see that marketing strategies are moving from traditional, ‘outbound’ techniques to more up-to-date, ‘inbound’ methods where it’s all about enticing people to engage with the business. Producing blog content is a great way to offer potential leads something valuable so that, when they’re at the point where they’re ready to make a purchase, they pick you over your competitors. Plus, the stats are pretty promising: marketers who prioritise blogging efforts are 13x more likely to see a positive return on investment (ROI) and content marketing gets three times more leads than paid search advertising. 

The digital era is making waves... 

Whether we’re in the market for a new phone, a car, or a different type of cereal, the digital era has changed how we decide on what we buy, and when we buy it.