COMMENTS
Good points, Danny. One thing that the video game industry does is to create "fan kits" that allow people to create their own sites and forums. I understand that they have an advantage in that most of their customers are computer-savvy "geeks", but it's a fairly low cost thing to do in order to help with inbound links. As with many things in life, asking and then empowering people to do something is more effective than waiting for them to do it on their own. These days, anyone can start up a blog for free in a few seconds - it's not as hard as setting up a Diablo Fan Forum in the "old days."
With regard to your "Good things come to those who wait" point, one thing that I tell clients is that things on the web tend to happen in bursts more so than smooth slopes. I try to encourage them to stay the course until they reach a tipping point (like a mention from Chris Brogan or Darren Rowse). They key is to be prepared for those events when they happen.
Issues: Inbound Marketing works best in big big biiiiig markets, my local market it's still very much, who you know, work with and outbound advertisement and face to face networking.
It people don't "know" you the website is not really the place they buy anything.
It does work better for local companies targeting international markets online (tourists).
Inbound marketing has become tantamount to a religion for many marketers and saying anything negative about is perceived as heresy. But as with most everything else in life, we learn from the challenges we face, and the "dark side" of inbound marketing is no exception.
Kudos--and thanks--to Bodnar for a fair and balanced article.
Cheers. :)
Thanks for coming clean and acknowledging that Inbound marketing is not free.
In fact, the cost is high and commitment long if you want to achieve any meaningful results.
More insights on the requirements to success here: http://bit.ly/ciUnEN
Definitely having a 'long view' mind-set and developing an adaptable strategy is important for enduring success. Return also needs to consider the ability to re-purpose the content and Inbound marketing focus just seems to be better at this. Being found first is extremely important and having influencers and attraction methodology is helpful in B2B and B2C.
Yes, inbound marketing does take work and is not free. It is more of a PR strategy than an advertising strategy. I believe that brands are built with PR not advertising.
For one of our client who did our inbound marketing program vs PPC, our results took longer but were 5 times cheaper and much high quality visitors.
Black label applied inbound marketing concept very well but it seems the success combined both of inbound and outbound marketing. My opinion is it really depends on the business itself, inbound and outbound do not conflict, can combine would be great. Inbound marketing just heavily rely on internet, but if outbound marketing can help, why not? both help marketing. Inbound definitely help small business cost it is low cost not free. The concept is good,practice could be hard, but if play wisely, the result could come very fast. i am very positive to inbound marketing. Thanks for interesting post.
Issues: "Inbound marketing doesn't work for B2B" and "Our customers aren't using social media."
Resolutions: Inbound marketing should not replace all traditional marketing tactics that are working. It should work with them -- i.e. Use Twitter to generate some excitement around a tradeshow.
Getting customers involved: You be the leader and ask others to follow -- i.e. start a LinkedIn Group and ask your customers to join / contribute.
@wong
"In the long-run, quality will always win over. You need to make sure that your SEO strategy is multi-dimensional and that you aren’t just doing only link building, only keyword optimization or only content creation."
Couldn't be said better. SEO isn't about focusing on one aspect and rising to the top. It takes a collaborative effort and doesn't happen overnight either.
Ditto what Dianna Huff said. (And ditto whatever she says in future too. :-)
p.s. Is the photo of a broken road barrier thingy or broken sawhorse? Construction zone = problems? Not sure I follow.
I would take inbound marketing over outbound marketing anyday. I have only been following inbound techniques for a few weeks and have already gotten three high quality clients who are now paying me on a monthly basis for my services. This would not have happened with outbound marketing.