Inbound Marketing: A Basic Overview for Business Owners

Jared Broussard • October 28, 2013

Daily, I am asked, "So, you own BlinkJar Media. What exactly do you guys do?" My short answer is, "We are an Inbound Marketing Agency." Undoubtedly, the next question out of their mouth is, "What the heck is Inbound Marketing?" Explaining Inbound Marketing in 30 seconds or less is not always the easiest of tasks. However, we will make our best effort to clear up any confusion in this blog. Additionally, we have produced a short video that explains the basics of Inbound Marketing. Inbound Marketing is about creating and sharing content with the world. The ultimate goal is to create remarkable content that is handy to your prospective customers. In creating useful content for your potential target market, you attract qualified leads rather than interrupt them. Inbound Marketing is a way to approach your marketing to capitalize on the way consumers are making buying decisions today. In a recent annual report survey conducted by Hubspot, nearly 50% of marketers plan to increase their Inbound Marketing budgets (see chart below). The main reason marketers are investing more into Inbound Marketing is due to the seismic shift currently taking place by today's consumer. The way consumers' research and shop for products and services today is vastly different than even a few years ago. So, smart marketers are embracing the need to adapt their marketing strategy or face the possibility of extinction.

Inbound Marketing Budgets

By publishing the right information in the right place and at the right time, your marketing becomes relevant and helpful to your consumers. While this seems logical, there are still many companies that have failed to integrate Inbound Marketing into their current marketing plan. In the 2013 Hubspot report on Inbound Marketing, only 21% of enterprises surveyed completely adopted an Inbound Marketing strategy.

firms integrating inbound marketing

If Inbound Marketing is so powerful and effective, why are more companies not implementing Inbound Marketing in their overall marketing strategy? Just like in day to day life, change is tough. As stated in the book, "The Power of Focus",up to ninety percent of our ordinary behavior is based on habits. Marketers are definitely creatures of habit. In order to implement a new marketing strategy, there are many commitments and sacrifices that need to be made. The required commitment to ensure the strategy is applied from start to finish is not something every marketing department or CEO is willing to make. The second reason most companies are not making the full commitment to Inbound Marketing is simply due to a lack of understanding. By nature, human beings are not going to invest into something that they do not understand. Because there are so many elements involved with Inbound Marketing, it is often times tough to grasp. In fact, it is sometimes hard to explain the concept of Inbound Marketing in 30 seconds or less (see video below). So, for this reason, many marketers ignore the opportunities that a solid Inbound Marketing plan can provide. One of the most important aspects to understand about Inbound Marketing is that it is an ongoing process. It requires consistent attention and feeding in order to enjoy the results of your hard work. As stated in the book, "Inbound Marketing: Getting Found Using Google, Social Media, and Blogs," learning Inbound Marketing is like learning to play the guitar. When one learns to play the guitar, the initial steps of grasping how to play certain chords can be unsatisfying and frustrating. In order to get the maximum value out of playing the guitar, you must be fully committed to the final result. Because of the large hurdle in the beginning, a large amount of people never learn to play the guitar, as they are not fully invested in the end result. The same philosophy holds true with Inbound Marketing. In order to reap the benefits of an Inbound Marketing program (converting web visitors to leads to customers), you need to stick your leg in the water (not your toe) for several months. The benefits of a solid Inbound Marketing plan will accumulate over time, and you will eventually reach the tipping point, where the fruits of your labor really start to pay off exponentially.


Want to learn more about the basics of Inbound Marketing? Please click on the thumbnail below to check out our brief video on the definition of Inbound Marketing. In addition to the video, we have provided a link to a white paper on the "ABCs of Inbound Marketing," which is a collective effort by various Hubspot agencies around the country, including BlinkJar Media. Enjoy!


The fragmentation of search. Why Being Found Is No Longer Just About Google

The Fragmentation of Search: Why Being Found Is No Longer Just About Google

By Rikki Broussard • July 23, 2026
Your customers are still searching. They are just no longer searching in one place. They may start with Google, ask ChatGPT to compare their options, watch a YouTube video, look for examples on Instagram, read reviews, or open a map to find a nearby business. This does not mean your company needs to chase every new platform. It also does not mean SEO is dead. The best response to fragmented search is to strengthen the foundation you already have. Build a clear, credible website, answer the questions your customers ask, share real expertise, and ensure your business appears consistently on the platforms that matter to your audience. AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is part of that approach. It helps search engines and AI tools find and understand your answers, but it works best when it is built on strong SEO . Why Are Customers Searching in So Many Different Places? Customers are searching in more places because they now have more ways to find the type of information they want. Every Monday during our BlinkJar staff meeting, each person brings an industry update to discuss. One recent conversation about artificial intelligence and its impact on search reminded me of what happened to television. Jared, my husband and BlinkJar’s founder , spent years working in television. At one time, a few broadcast networks held most of the audience. Then cable created more choices. Streaming services, YouTube, social video, and on-demand programming divided attention even further. Television did not disappear. People gained more ways to watch. Search is moving in the same direction. A prospective customer may search Google for a service, ask an AI assistant to explain the differences between providers, watch a video to see how something works, and read reviews before visiting a company’s website. The challenge is not that Google has stopped working. It is that businesses can no longer assume every customer will begin there. Does My Business Still Need SEO? Yes, your business absolutely needs SEO as it remains the foundation of being discovered online. Google continues to drive valuable, high-intent traffic for businesses. A strong website also gives AI tools, maps, social platforms, and prospective customers a reliable place to learn who you are and what you offer. Your website needs clear service pages, useful location information, simple navigation, relevant internal links, and a sound technical structure. Search engines must be able to crawl, index, and understand your pages. Traditional SEO is not being replaced. It is supporting a larger discovery ecosystem. Think of your website as your company’s home base. Social media, maps, reviews, search engines, and AI tools may help customers find you, but your website is where you control the complete story. 
Kingsley Working

What I Learned as a Marketing Intern at BlinkJar Media

By Kingsley Lavender • July 20, 2026
Kingsley Lavender shares what he learned as a marketing intern at BlinkJar Media, including SEO, website updates, content marketing, and real-world agency experience.

Why Personal Connections Matter More Than Ever in an AI-Driven Marketing World?

By Caroline Thaxton • July 10, 2026
Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach content marketing , social media marketing , and digital communications. AI can generate ideas, streamline workflows, and help marketers create content faster than ever before. At Blinkjar, we embrace AI as a powerful tool, but we also know the most impactful marketing still begins with something technology can't replicate: a genuine human connection. As a Creative Content Specialist at Blinkjar , some of my most valuable work happens away from my desk. Meeting with clients, visiting their businesses, and building real relationships gives me a deeper understanding of who they are and what makes their brands unique. Those face-to-face interactions help me create authentic content that reflects each client's personality , values, and story. Can AI Really Tell Your Brand's Story? Every business has a story worth telling . While AI can help organize information, brainstorm ideas, and improve efficiency, it can't experience a company's culture, observe customer interactions, or hear the passion behind why a business was started. That’s why every interaction matters. Whether we’re on a call, exchanging emails, meeting in person, capturing photos and videos, or simply talking through new ideas, each touchpoint helps us better understand the businesses we support. These conversations allow us to see how a brand operates, hear the stories behind the work, and uncover the details that make it unique. Those real insights often become the foundation for stronger content because they reveal perspectives that AI simply can’t generate. How Do Client Conversations Lead to Better Content Marketing? The more time I spend with the businesses we support, the better I can represent their brand. Photoshoots are one way those connections happen, but many of my strongest content ideas come from everyday conversations, planning calls, emails, meetings, and moments when a client shares something we would not have known otherwise. Those small details often become the difference between content that feels generic and content that feels true to the brand. Whether we're discussing a new project, talking through their day-to-day operations, or simply catching up, those conversations give me the context I need to write content that's accurate, authentic, and true to their voice. Instead of relying on assumptions, I can pull directly from their experiences, expertise, and personality . That's what transforms content from informative to meaningful.