Inbound Marketing vs Content Marketing: What Are the Differences?

Notebook with Tools and Notes About Inbound Marketing

Did you know that 41% of marketers claim inbound marketing provides a measurable return on investment?

Inbound marketing vs content marketing is a major discussion in the digital marketing space. With the right inbound marketing tips, some consultants claim they can maximize their reach and create stronger impressions on their audience.

On the other hand, those who focus on content marketing using content marketing guides seem to claim a similar degree of success.

So who is right here? And what does this mean for you?

In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about inbound marketing, content marketing, and which is right for you.

What Is Inbound Marketing?

In simple terms, marketing involves putting your business or product in front of a potential customer. You might be doing this directly to increase sales, or to increase brand visibility.

Inbound marketing focuses on the latter of these two things. By trying to put your business out there so that your customers can see and be aware of what you have to offer, you’re creating future sales opportunities.

While you may not be able to directly convert into sales, inbound marketing allows you to set the foundations for larger and repeated sales over the long term. Many marketers are starting to move in this direction because it creates a more positive connotation in the customer’s mind.

Customers don’t feel like they are being sold to. Instead, marketers appear to simply be telling them about how your business solves their problems. There is no ask for money at the end.

What Is Content Marketing?

Content marketing is one specific form of inbound marketing.

It works in a similar way to other inbound strategies. It involves creating information and material that stimulates interest in the subject your brand is about. You don’t necessarily have to try to sell directly to your customers through content marketing.

Some marketers will do this, to varying degrees of success. However, by simply stimulating interest in the subject, you are keeping your brand top of mind.

Next time the customer thinks about your niche or subject area, your brand may be the first thing that comes to mind. All of a sudden, a sales opportunity is created.

Key Differences Between Inbound Marketing and Content Marketing

As you can see, inbound marketing and content marketing have similarities. Both of them are trying to bring the customer to you.

However content marketing will do this in a specific way. It tries to achieve this goal by stimulating customer interest in your niche or product area.

Inbound marketing can do this by stimulating interest, however, there are many other strategies in the inbound marketing arsenal. Of course, this can involve content marketing or it can involve other strategies like retargeting, webinars, or informational sessions.

Inbound marketing software applications can simplify the process of tracking customers who come to you via content marketing or other strategies.