Marketing Research Chart: Choose your marketing channels wisely

by Jen Doyle, Senior Research Manager

Marketing Research Chart: Inbound or outbound - degree of difficulty not affecting use of effective tactics

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Today’s marketers have no shortage of tools at their disposal to deliver messaging to audiences. From the old standby tactics of direct mail, print advertising and trade shows, to newer online tactics like social media, search engine marketing and email, how does one choose the channel that will inspire conversions?

The real question is which channels will convert audiences. When your targets receive the same message from you via multiple channels, you create a consistent and engaging experience.

During our 2012 Lead Generation Benchmark Study, we uncovered that organizations lack maturity in the planning and execution of lead generation tactics. In fact, only a quarter of respondents had formal processes with thorough guidelines that they routinely performed.

While the majority lacks maturity in planning and strategy, marketers are not lazy. Results indicate that degree of difficulty does not affect the level of usage for the most effective lead generation tactics, such as SEO, website optimization, email marketing and content marketing. Clearly, marketers are willing to put in the work for the tactics that deliver the greatest returns.

From budget allocations to ratings of effectiveness, there is an ongoing trend of marketers moving to online marketing tactics. These tactics have a well-known reputation for being cost effective and quick to generate results.

However, despite this undeniable trend, marketers must be cautious. A large number of organizations still find great value in offline tactics like direct mail, print advertising and trade shows. Before migrating to a highly online-focused strategy, marketers must test and assess the appropriate channels to convince and convert their specific targets.

For additional research data and insights about lead generation marketing, download and read the free Executive Summary from MarketingSherpa’s 2012 Lead Generation Benchmark Report.

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