Inbound marketing has been enjoying an ongoing heyday for years now, and evolving into what can seem like one immensely overwhelming undertaking. Fear not. No matter how daunting getting started with inbound marketing can seem, you can rapidly hop on the right track with a few quick tips.
While diving into specific techniques is good, understanding the actual methodology behind inbound marketing is even better. HubSpot offers a variety of Inbound Marketing Certification classes that allow you to build a solid foundation and paving the way for your success going forward. You also get a snazzy certificate you can print out when you complete your courses and badges you can include in your emails.
Subscribe and dive into top industry blogs that consistently showcase inbound marketing tips, tricks and knowledge. For some odd reason, the LyntonWeb blog is one of our favorites - go figure. We’re also avid fans of the blogs at HubSpot, CopyBlogger and Moz. Sign up and have the blogs sent directly to your email inbox, or head to Feedly to set up an RSS reader where you can browse the blogs at your leisure.
Industry webinars are like industry blogs on steroids, packed with information, conversations and question sessions that can fine-tune your understanding of inbound. Many of the top inbound marketing websites and blogs host regular webinars, often featuring a lineup of special guests who double as experts on everything inbound. IMPACT Branding's Website Throwdown is a popular webinar to check out.
Local networking events give you a chance to mix, mingle and exchange information with inbound marketing pros in your area. Networking is a must for getting your name out there, connecting with other local businesses, and perhaps even snagging a few leads.
Join your local chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) or other association. Attend one of HubSpot’s local user groups. Look for nearby events posted on LinkedIn or Meetup that keep you in the local loop of marketing experts.
Larger conferences are a great way to meet even more experts and expand your marketing network beyond your local zip code. HubSpot holds an annual Inbound Conference that’s billed as the biggest inbound marketing conference in the world. Marketing Prof's B2B Marketing Forum is worth looking into as well. Conferences can definitely put you on the fast learning track, serving up tons of information in a short period. You also get to rub elbows with marketing gurus from across the globe while increasing your brand awareness, contacts and leads.
Social media can be an ongoing learning experience, providing you with the latest industry hashtags, keywords and overall techniques. Join conversations, engage with your audience, and make an effort to reach out to experts. Take the time to follow industry insiders on Twitter and Facebook. Give out a bunch of “likes” for Facebook business pages related to your industry – even if they happen to belong to your competitors.
As you immerse yourself in inbound marketing, try to share and apply what you’ve been learning. Retweet particularly intriguing blogs to your social audience. Pass along info to your coworkers and colleagues. Put concepts you’ve read about into actual use. Make inbound marketing a daily habit and you may soon find you’ll be the one helping others learn what effective inbound marketing is all about.