--- title: You + Inbound Marketing = <3 description: Well, it’s Valentine’s Day, and the whole courting process involved with finding someone special ties in ever so nicely with the inbound marketing process. image: http://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hubfs/Blog_Photos/brian_blog/brian_ashley_valentines.png --- [![Trending Up - Logo - Horizontal - Color - Inverted copy](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Trending%20Up%20-%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal%20-%20Color%20-%20Inverted%20copy.png?width=210&height=70&name=Trending%20Up%20-%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal%20-%20Color%20-%20Inverted%20copy.png "Trending Up - Logo - Horizontal - Color - Inverted copy")](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/) - [SALES-READY WEBSITES](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/automated-sales-machine) - [SALES & MARKETING STRATEGY](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/marketing-strategy-for-specialty-manufacturers) - RESOURCES - [BLOG](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/manufacturing-blog) - [FREE RESOURCES](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/manufacturing-marketing-resource-center) - [MARKETING ROI CALCULATOR](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/roi-calculator) - [CASE STUDY](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/conveyor-system-manufacturer-case-study) - CONTACT - [CONTACT US](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/contact) - [CAREER CENTER](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/career-center) - [FREE MARKETING ANALYSIS](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/personalized-marketing-analysis-video) ## Smarketing Blog ## You + Inbound Marketing = <3 by [Brian Bzdawka](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/blog/author/brian-bzdawka)![](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/44179875_10156868119424595_6988195911268564992_n.jpg?width=35&name=44179875_10156868119424595_6988195911268564992_n.jpg) February 14, 2017 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![two_hearts.jpg](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Photos/two_hearts.jpg?width=150&name=two_hearts.jpg "two_hearts.jpg")Well, today is the day.  The day that you, hopefully, got your act together and got that special someone in your life one of the typical, disgusting, pink and red, plush or chocolate presents.  If you haven’t gotten it already, then get your ass in gear and get to the closest drug or grocery store so you can stand in the card aisle with the rest of the assholes who forgot to pick something up and field the comments from every big-mouth person in the store, all containing the words “last” and “minute”. As you can probably tell, I’m not a huge fan of today and what the Hallmarks of the world have made it out to be, but I have learned throughout my life that it is much better for the well-being of myself and my relationship if I just suck it up and pick something… anything up, write a nice little note inside of a card, and give it to my wife. I can still remember the day that I met my wife.  I was bartending at the time and she came in to have a few drinks with her friends.  I thought she was gorgeous and wanted to ask her out.  So, I paused for a sec while making a drink for someone and asked her intentionally-coyly… **ME:** Would like to go and get some ice cream with me sometime? (*She looked at me with instant confusion… which faded slowly into a smile*) **MY NOW WIFE:** Sure. **ME:** Awesome (*I went back to making drinks.  A few minutes later I went up to her again*.) **![valentines_day_ice_cream.jpg](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Photos/valentines_day_ice_cream.jpg?width=500&height=334&name=valentines_day_ice_cream.jpg)ME:** So, what is your favorite flavor of ice cream? **MY NOW WIFE:** Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.  What’s yours? **ME:**  Butter Pecan. **MY NOW WIFE:** Really?  That’s my grandma’s favorite. (*I reached over the bar and placed my hand on hers.*) ME: We are going to be so happy together. (I know that some of you are thinking that it sounds totally lame or possibly even creepy – but the point was to try to sound like the opposite of all the other guys in a bar scenario.  Plus, if you knew me you would understand that it wasn’t creepy… and, it worked, so, eat crow.) So, why do I bring all of this up?  Well, it’s Valentine’s Day… but also, the whole courting process involved with finding someone special ties in ever so nicely with the inbound marketing process. You don’t normally want to jump in with both feet and talk about how you are going to be together with someone for the rest of your life.  You want to take things one step at a time, get to know the person, build a relationship based off of trust and eventually “close the deal”.  (That wasn’t a sex reference, I meant marriage – or, the sale, in terms of your business). [Inbound marketing](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/inbound-marketing) works in a very similar way. ## First, offer solutions. Buyers today start with research online. You know this, because you do it, too. Whether you’re buying a home or car, finding a contractor to finish work on your basement, or finding commercial solutions for your job, you start with researching potential solutions - matches, if you will - that meet your needs and make good partners. (See what I did there?) ## Next, build trust. Just like in a relationship between people (or dogs, because, let’s face it, your dog just might be your soulmate, too), you need to build trust with potential buyers on your site. By educating, informing, and overall adding value to their purchase experience, you build up trust and visitors are more likely to become partners in the future. ## Finally, close the deal. Once the buyer has determined that you’re a good match for their needs based on value, education, and budget, it’s time to close the deal. The buyer is already invested in your relationship at this point - you’ve put in the content, lead nurturing, and sales communication, and they’re ready to say yes to the proverbial dress. Sounds great, right? Well, if your website isn’t currently courting your online visitors this way, it’s time. You need an [online strategy](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/content-marketers-blueprint-strategy-creation) that will help. You also need to get started, like, yesterday. [We can help you there.](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/request-strategy-consultation) On a final note, good luck to you - no matter where you are in your courting process. And, Happy Fucking Valentine’s Day everyone! ![brian_ashley_valentines.png](http://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Photos/brian_blog/brian_ashley_valentines.png?width=750&height=426&name=brian_ashley_valentines.png) Topics: [Inbound Marketing](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/blog/topic/inbound-marketing) [Marketing Strategy](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/blog/topic/marketing-strategy) ### About the Author: ### [Brian Bzdawka](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/blog/author/brian-bzdawka) ![](https://www.trendingupstrategy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/44179875_10156868119424595_6988195911268564992_n.jpg?width=100&name=44179875_10156868119424595_6988195911268564992_n.jpg) Brian is the Creative Director at Trending Up. He has a smokin' hot wife and three awesome kids. When he's not designing graphics, creating videos and working on marketing strategies, Brian enjoys drawing, breakfast food and being nice. [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/brian.bzdawka) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bzdawka-5582a66) [Website](http://www.briandrawsmovies.com/) ## Something Powerful ### Tell The Reader More The headline and subheader tells us what you're offering, and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great it's worth filling out a form for. Remember: - Bullets are great - For spelling out benefits and - Turning visitors into leads. ### About The Trending Up Blog On our blog, we'll share our passion and energy for strategy, inbound marketing, selling, and growing businesses. We hope you'll do the same! Here's what to expect from our blog: - The best ways to accomplish your growth goals - News & updates on the digital industry and what it means for you - How to keep *trending up*. 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