Outbound Marketing: Does It Still Work for Ilorin Businesses?

Marketing takes many forms. From flyers handed out at Post Office to WhatsApp broadcasts sent to entire groups.

Entrepreneurs have long relied on direct methods to get their message across. This traditional push style is known as outbound marketing, a strategy where businesses reach out to customers first, instead of waiting for them to show interest.

Today, many entrepreneurs assume outbound marketing has to only take the traditional forms. But the reality is different: outbound marketing can always take a different form, especially in the world of digital media. It has simply evolved.

When used smartly, it remains one of the fastest ways for businesses in Ilorin to build awareness, attract attention, and compete effectively.

What is Outbound Marketing?

Outbound marketing refers to any method where businesses push their message to customers, rather than waiting for customers to discover them.

Think of it as knocking on doors instead of waiting for visitors, in this case,your customers.

Traditional outbound marketing methods include:

Flyers, posters, and billboards

Radio and TV jingles

Cold calls and SMS messages

WhatsApp broadcasts

Modern outbound marketing, on the other hand, has gone digital.

Examples include:

Paid search ads on Google

Sponsored posts on Instagram or Facebook

Cold emails sent to potential clients

Display banner ads on websites

The goal is the same: to capture attention quickly, whether offline or online.

Why Outbound Marketing Still Matters in Ilorin

Outbound marketing remains powerful because it gives entrepreneurs what they need most: visibility.

Here’s why it still matters for Ilorin businesses:

1. Reach Offline Audience

Not everyone in Ilorin is active online. Market traders in Ipata or Mandate may never see your Instagram ad, but they will see a flyer or listen to your radio jingles.

2. Quick Awareness

Outbound channels spread information fast. A new restaurant in Tanke can share flyers in student hostels today and have queues tomorrow.

3. Trust Factor

In Ilorin, people often trust businesses they’ve heard about on radio or seen advertised on a billboard. Outbound makes you look established.

4. Push Effect

Sometimes customers don’t know they need a service until you push it to them. Outbound creates that spark of interest.

The Challenges of Outbound Marketing
Despite its strengths, outbound marketing has weaknesses that every entrepreneur must consider:

1. High Cost

Printing flyers, running radio jingles, or paying for Facebook ads can quickly add up.

2. Low Targeting

Outbound often reaches everyone, even people uninterested in your product.

3. Message Fatigue

Customers get tired of constant adverts. Think of WhatsApp broadcasts that people ignore after the second time.

4. Harder to Measure

Unlike inbound methods, it’s often difficult to know exactly how many sales a flyer or jingle generated.

Blending Offline and Online Outbound Marketing

The smartest Ilorin entrepreneurs do not rely on one side alone. They blend offline and online outbound tactics to maximise results.

1. Combine Flyers with Social Media

Add a QR code or Instagram handle on your flyer so offline customers can connect with you online.

2. Use Radio and Facebook Together

Announce your business on Unilorin FM or Sobi FM then retarget the same audience with a sponsored Facebook ad.

3. WhatsApp Broadcasts with Email

While WhatsApp BCs are common, pair them with cold emails for professionals and organisations who prefer formal communication.

4. Billboards and Search Ads

If you advertise with a roadside banner in Gaa Akanbi, support it with Google Ads so curious customers can find you online instantly.

This blended approach ensures you reach customers wherever they are — on the street, on radio, or on their phones.

How Ilorin Entrepreneurs Can Maximise Outbound Marketing

To avoid wasting resources, outbound marketing must be strategic. Here’s how to get it right:

1. Identify your target audience clearly

Don’t hand flyers everywhere. If you sell affordable food, focus on student hostels. If you run a fashion line, target youth-dominated areas like Tanke or Challenge.

2. Craft a bold, simple message

Whether on a poster or an Instagram ad, focus on one key benefit. “Affordable Shawarma in Tanke” is more effective than a long slogan.

3. Budget wisely

Start small, test results, and scale. Instead of buying a billboard outright, try posters and online sponsored ads first.

4. Track responses

Always ask new customers how they heard about you. Is it through flyers, radio, WhatsApp, or online ads? That way, you know what works and reinvest.

5. Blend with inbound marketing

Outbound creates awareness, but inbound (like useful content and storytelling) keeps customers engaged. A mix of both is the real growth strategy.

Conclusion

Outbound marketing may look old-fashioned to some, but for Ilorin entrepreneurs, it should not be neglected.

Whether through a flyer on the streets of Tanke, a jingle on radio, or a Facebook sponsored post, outbound marketing gives your business the visibility it needs.

The secret is not to abandon it, but to use it wisely and blend it with modern online tools. When you do that, you create the perfect balance of reach, trust, and growth.

Related Post: Inbound Marketing: Attracting Customers the Smart Way