What is 'outbound marketing'?

'Outbound marketing' refers to traditional marketing strategies that involve actively reaching out to potential customers through direct communication methods. This can include tactics such as television advertisements, radio spots, print ads, cold calling, and direct mail campaigns. The essence of outbound marketing is that it is proactive, allowing marketers to broadcast their message to a broad audience to attract customers, rather than waiting for customers to find them.

This stands in contrast to inbound marketing, which focuses on attracting customers through content and experiences that resonate with them, such as social media campaigns or engaging website content. By understanding that outbound marketing encompasses various forms of direct outreach, it becomes clear why it is categorized as a strategy that emphasizes direct communication with customers.