Cold Calling v Inbound Marketing. Is either worth the cost?

Many believe that with all the new software based on content marketing and inbound marketing, that cold calling is a thing of the past. The real questions are:  Can either bring down the cost of acquiring a qualified lead?  Are the leads better using one method or the other, as  measured by the close rate by the same set of salespeople?  Can the cost of either be justified based on the worth of a new client and the cost to get and work the lead generated?  Finding the definitive answer to this will go a long way in determining which of these techniques a company should adopt.  

Austin-based company Software Advice is hosting a new Google+ Debate titled, "Does Cold Calling Still Work?" The debate will focus on whether it’s better to go out and find your customers, or if it’s better to create great content that brings customers to you.

While the debate will focus on the effectiveness of cold calling, panelists will also discuss how inbound marketing techniques like PPC and SEO fit into the modern sales/marketing arsenal. The debate panelists include:

• Mike Volpe, CMO at HubSpot
• Ken Krogue, President at InsideSales.com
• Anneke Seley, CEO at Reality Works Group.

Each expert will get a chance to answer three questions from the debate’s moderator, Derek Singleton, with time to offer a rebuttal. After all the scripted questions are answered, viewers will be able to ask their own questions by posting a comment to the Google+ event. The best questions will be picked for experts to answer.

To watch the debate--and participate--just visit Singleton’s Google+ page this Wednesday, January 30th at 1pm Central Standard Time. You can add the event to your Google Calendar here. For more information about signing on, visit the B2B Marketing Mentor blog.