Brian Halligan vs Brian Halligan: Inbound Marketing vs Content Marketing

18 replies
If the inbound marketing's "father" can enlighten you about the differences between inbound and content marketing, then who can? Yet, the sad fact is that in order to promote yourself into an Internet Marketer, you simply have no other choice than to come up with an eye-catching term. This is exactly what happened with the inbound marketing.

So, what's really and precisely this thing called - inbound marketing?

How do you know that you're talking to a true Internet marketer? Well, he or she can explain you extremely complicated terms in very simple and understandable ways. So, let me try to solve this puzzle. I'm not saying that it would make me be an Internet marketer by default, but I want to see some appreciation, and admiration if possible, for the hard and not particularly exciting research work.

Here's my formula:

Inbound Marketing = Content Marketing + Social Media Marketing

There you go, my perfect Zen marketing moment. So, what do I have problems with inbound marketing? Well, when you put it like this, it looks like content marketing on steroids. I know, this isn't a nice thing to say. Nowadays, we like to "steroidize" quite a lot, almost every single thing we get in contact with.

Yet, the most problematic thing is that we're using two terms basically for the same marketing phenomenon. How? Well, have you heard about the permission marketing? Seth Godin coined this extremely useful term. So, with no intention to make a short story any longer than it has to be, here's a very explanation. Permission marketing is a thing completely opposite to annoying or interruptive marketing. Or, in plain English, this is marketing, who likes to knock at your door first and ask you politely for a little bit of your time. So, I dare to say that inbound marketing is just another name for permission marketing.

How does Brian Halligan defend the Inbound Marketing concept?

Well, for Halligan content marketing is a necessity, but there are some other things, which are needed even more. So, without the inbound marketing, our good old content marketing is like Mad Max without fuel. You can simply forget about the wild ride. Yet, Halligan admits in one of his interviews that the "other party's" (read consumers) willingness to participate was essential. The HubSpot cyber-empire is built on blogging and social media foundations. However, without the apps, such as Website Grader, Twitter Grader, and similar) the critical mass of interest for this concept would've never been achieved, in the first place.

I just don't like not approve the way Halligan treats the good old content marketing. You admit that you simply can't do a thing without it. Yet, at the same time, you say that in order to go "beyond" (whatever that's supposed to mean), you have to "overcome" content marketing, so customers can "interact" in the most effective way regarding your marketing goals.

Web Megaphone vs Hub Analogy

All of my hats off to this one. Halligan's ungratefulness toward content marketing turns into remarkable thoughtfulness, when it comes to websites and social media. So, just because you have a megaphone in the room, you aren't the smartest person by default. You don't have to shout to get other people's attention. Actually, you can be completely silent, just make sure you have no clothes left on you. Or, you can apply the subtle hub's way. If you can find the right rhythm and direction of your web-hub, then you're going to be rewarded properly with the impressive number of followers. So, no megaphones, just an endless series of overwhelming smiles.

Back to the Content Square One!

So, Mr. Halligan can we forget about content marketing? Now, when we want to go beyond and above the traditional marketing. No way! Whenever he has to admit that content marketing is an unavoidable element, Halligan comes up with a new shiny term. This is how we've ended up with the "remarkable content." What's the difference between content content and remarkable content? The prefix says it all, doesn't it?

If you don't pay enough attention to content marketing you're going to end up with content content. This type of content is used just to fill the blank space and empty hopes for better exposure. On the other side, we have the remarkable content, which is often followed by beautiful butterflies and inspirational emotions that make you buy, sign, share, discuss, and whatever is needed.

Beware of Halligan's milliseconds!

Here's something you simply can't paraphrase:

"The millisecond in which you become average is the same millisecond in which your company ceases to be great."

So, I should forget about working breaks, while I'm building my business empire. Well, it makes sense. If you think or blink for a second, you're gone. OK, I get it. Well, I would need some help to achieve this greatness. Later, I think I can manage it. But, right now, I would appreciate some help.

Finally, Halligan doesn't believe that his inbound marketing will be around for the next couple of milliseconds of extremely precious cyber time. Just as any other Internet marketer he predicts the shiny and glorious future for its concept, which "will be around for the ages." Luckily for us, we would be able to create an encyclopedia of all the Internet marketing terms that are meant to last forever. I definitely don't envy all those students, who're going to study the History of Internet Marketing. They aren't going to be bored, that's for sure. What are we waiting for? What's an Internet marketing life without a term of our own? Good luck!
#brian #brian halligan #content #content marketing #halligan #hubspot #inbound #inbound marketing #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author RonGold
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    • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
      Banned
      Originally Posted by RonGold View Post

      How hard was it to copy and paste this?
      Please do show us where this is copy and pasted from if you believe it to be copy and pasted.

      Whether you like the content or not...I took a very quick look and it does not look to be a copy and paste job to me.

      Sure it could be a lot of things...but a straight copy and paste it's not. It looks to me like like a combo of researching some pieces, picking out some points, changing or spinning them a bit, adding some stuff here and there from personal knowledge, and then formulating it into a "Freelancer style" article post.

      Cheers

      -don
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      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by ForumGuru View Post

        Please do show us where this is copy and pasted from if you believe it to be copy and pasted.

        Whether you like the content or not...I took a very quick look and it does not look to be a copy and paste job to me.

        Sure it could be a lot of things...but a straight copy and paste it's not. It looks to me like like a combo of researching some pieces, picking out some points, changing or spinning them a bit, adding some stuff here and there from personal knowledge, and then formulating it into a "Freelancer style" article post.

        Cheers

        -don
        Agreed...I Copyscape-checked a previous article from the poster in the offline section and didn't find any duplicates. They do seem to be original...even "too good" lol.

        Just ran this one through and didn't find anything.

        Interesting feedback on what may seem "too slick" or "too professional".
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        • Profile picture of the author neshaword
          Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

          Agreed...I Copyscape-checked a previous article from the poster in the offline section and didn't find any duplicates. They do seem to be original...even "too good" lol.

          Just ran this one through and didn't find anything.

          Interesting feedback on what may seem "too slick" or "too professional".
          to

          Thx J. Appreciated.

          I use Copyscape, Grammarly and Readability Check for all of my articles.

          I'm not brilliant, but I'm always original.

          But, I guess, no one is in the mood to discuss the very concept of inbound marketing.

          Thx
          N
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      • Profile picture of the author neshaword
        Originally Posted by ForumGuru View Post

        Please do show us where this is copy and pasted from if you believe it to be copy and pasted.

        Whether you like the content or not...I took a very quick look and it does not look to be a copy and paste job to me.

        Sure it could be a lot of things...but a straight copy and paste it's not. It looks to me like like a combo of researching some pieces, picking out some points, changing or spinning them a bit, adding some stuff here and there from personal knowledge, and then formulating it into a "Freelancer style" article post.

        Cheers

        -don
        Don,

        Here you go with your Freelancer conspiracy theory.

        You complained about my extremely "political" article about Internet Marketing and US Presidential Candidates. This was your proof that political articles are being tolerated for the "privileged" ones. Guess what, they killed my article. I complained. No use.

        As a Top Rated Upworker I'm also very active on Upwork forums. Does it make me a Freelancer spy?

        I am an Internet marketing enthusiast, who has every right to dream about his own fully independent online business. I haven't been born a freelancer, and sure thing I'm not gonna retire as such.

        I asked how to get me a Warrior T-shirt. Would like to see if this will make me a Warrior Forum employee.

        P.S.
        I plan to ask Freelancer, if I can get paid for these forum activities. This is an interesting idea.

        Regards,
        Nesha
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        • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
          Banned
          Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

          Don,Here you go with your Freelancer conspiracy theory.
          "Freelancer style" is not the same thing as a Freelancer conspiracy theory.

          You complained about my extremely "political" article about Internet Marketing and US Presidential Candidates.
          I did not complain about it, I participated on that thread with you...remember we had a short back and forth on Trump's start on Twitter and the candidates' internet reach. Heck, I was the primary content contributor, excluding you. I did not think your article was partisan at all. Far from it...

          I did report the thread, however, because all political threads have been deleted for a good long while here, for good reason (most of them). Two other "presidential marketing" threads were deleted hours before yours was. I posted the reasons why I reported your thread, on the thread, but it may have been nuked before you saw them.

          This was your proof that political articles are being tolerated for the "privileged" ones. Guess what, they killed my article. I complained. No use.
          I never said that... What I did say is this --> if a regular member posted that thread to the off-topic forum it would be nuked.

          Personally, I believe it probably belonged in the main section. That said, the mods here are in no shape to handle political discussions that go off the rails...hence the report.

          As a Top Rated Upworker I'm also very active on Upwork forums. Does it make me a Freelancer spy?
          Spy? Who knows. Contributor in some fashion? You must admit your posts do have a bit of the Dan feel. All I know is I briefly considered talking to you about a tiny bit of work in the future...and I have never hired any external writers (probably to my own detriment).

          I am an Internet marketing enthusiast, who has every right to dream about his own fully independent online business. I haven't been born a freelancer, and sure thing I'm not gonna retire as such.
          Very cool.

          Hey, unlike some of the others on here I enjoy your contributions....most are a lot better than 95% of the garbage that's been posted lately. That's good on you.

          I asked how to get me a Warrior T-shirt. Would like to see if this will make me a Warrior Forum employee.
          I never said you were a Warrior Forum employee. I asked you these questions: Are you working with Freelancer? Are you working a trade with Freelancer? Are you an independent contractor for Freelancer? Are you doing Freelancer a favor?

          You said no to all..and I'm fine with that.

          P.S.
          I plan to ask Freelancer, if I can get paid for these forum activities. This is an interesting idea.
          Get me in too...

          Nesha, I think you completely misunderstood why I reported your post. As you know, I was the first one that wanted to participate in the discussion with you...and was ready to go late into the night with it.

          Regards,

          -don
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          • Profile picture of the author neshaword
            Don,

            I'm a freelance copywriter dreaming about a complete working and an existential independence. That's all.

            Talking about Freelancer.com. Not sure if you aware, but this is a huge business monster with a dozen websites, companies, this and that. Some things you can't help yourself noticing. I'm experimenting.

            First it was LinkedIn and its platform for publishing. That's the style you're referring to. The platform is called the Pulse or something. Yet, the exposure is, all of my friends and my pet. I'm not necessarily looking for clients here, although I'm open to all suggestions. LinkedIn was a one-way street. Here you can actually get some useful feedback. Finally, I can use these articles as references.

            Not sure if I'm gonna continue with this tempo after June, but I'll definitely be a Warrior for some time.

            So, Freelancer is just one more platform for work. Just like Upwork is, and former Elance was. I would be happy to try a new one, if possible.

            Here I've found quite a few inspirational stories (hope there are also true) about guys, former Freelancers and copywriters, who completely transformed their lives thanks to Internet Marketing.

            I wrote one of the useful articles you can possibly find online about writing in the Copywriting category. Guess what? The response was catastrophic with zero comments. So, I have to write something else so you can check my other articles. So much sacrifice. It's ridiculous.

            I believe in Good Karma and I can sense positive vibes in your words. I don't like Facebook, but I've been wondering is there a "friend" or something option here?

            Finally, I were to be some Freelancer or Warrior big boss, I would definitely do some things differently. Long and pro articles are something that benefits me only. Forums need short forms and lots of comments.

            In case you're wondering how can I afford to write these articles, I have regular clients and I can make some plans. If all of these articles can get me at least one new client, I'm a winner. I understand that guys here don't like "bots," I'm no different. But, it's just like advertising. Some platforms and websites are so stupid, and others are subtle and masters of disguise.

            So, that's it. Keep reading, while I still have nerves to do it, lol. One last thing, usually "paid" or "promo" articles have some agenda. I'm a freelancer, so I'm free. I can write whatever I like, if I don't plan to get money for it, lol. So, try me. Pick a topic. Let's see if Freelancer is going to pay for it, lol.

            Freelancer Neuromancer
            Nesha
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            • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
              Banned
              Nesha, thanks for all the information.

              Originally Posted by neshaword View Post

              I believe in Good Karma and I can sense positive vibes in your words. I don't like Facebook, but I've been wondering is there a "friend" or something option here?
              Unfortunately, something strange is going on with your account (or mine, I suppose). For some reason I can't seem to find a way to send you a friend request.

              I have added you to my contacts, but I still can't friend you.



              Very strange, I'm thinking. You are one of only three members in my contacts that I can't friend. I quickly checked the control panel, and I may have missed it, but I don't see a way to turn friending on or off. I do see an option to be emailed...

              Maybe it's a bug or problem.

              The only thing I can think of is check this setting and make sure it is set it to everyone - if it's not already.



              If that doesn't do it then I'm open to suggestions.

              Cheers

              -don
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              • Profile picture of the author neshaword
                lemme try to do something, hope I don't have to pay, I'm still not ready, I'm already paying a membership fee to Freelancer, lol

                wait a sec
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                • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
                  Banned
                  Nah, you should not have to pay for the friend option. Check my profile page to see if you see this option.



                  Be aware, it's 2:30 AM here and I will be crashing very soon.

                  -don
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                  • Profile picture of the author neshaword
                    Originally Posted by ForumGuru View Post

                    Nah, you should not have to pay for the friend option. Check my profile page to see if you see this option.



                    Be aware, it's 2:30 AM here and I will be crashing very soon.

                    -don
                    I "added" you, but I don't see you?! I also send a private message, did you see it?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      FL employees are posting these articles....think they are outsourcing them, though.
      Good for me, I'm gonna get paid.

      Remind me to ask a raise from my FL boss, comments aren't included in my initial outsourcing package.

      I'm actually an Upwork spy, but please don't tell anyone.
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Saving one dog may not change the world - but forever changes the world of one dog.
      I didn't know that this was a Karen Davison's quote.

      Stray dogs in my neighborhood provide inspiration for writing. In return, a percentage of my writing goes for the food. My French poodle Fifi isn't jealous.

      Maybe, you can outsource an article, but you can't outsource love.

      Will share this quote with my friends, that's for sure.

      Thx
      N
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Simple point is - until last week ARTICLES weren't allowed as "discussion forum posts". Now, apparently, they are.

    You've posted 15 of them during the same week 2-3 FL employees began posting similar articles of similar length with similar formatting.

    Guess it is coincidence. Doesn't matter as the prohibition on posting articles has been removed. Go for it.

    First saw the dog quote at a craft fair but Davison may be the originator. I like it.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Please do not 'release balloons' for celebrations. The balloons and trailing ribbons entangle birds and kill wildlife and livestock that think the balloons are food.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
    I guess it's a free for all now?
    Signature

    'I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'
    -Muhammad Ali

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    • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
      Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

      I guess it's a free for all now?
      Yup wait and see the shit that is going to be posted , sad time for this once great forum
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  • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
    Banned
    I received your PM...but the friending still seems to be missing/broken.

    -don
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  • Profile picture of the author paulhung
    I still have not created email marketing for my own!
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    • Profile picture of the author neshaword
      Originally Posted by paulhung View Post

      I still have not created email marketing for my own!
      It's never too late, I hope.
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