6 min read  | HubSpot

Marketing Agency vs Internal Hire: Which Is Best For Your Business?

You may be weighing up the pro’s and con’s of hiring an internal staff member or working with a marketing agency. Both options offer advantages and disadvantages, but which is the best fit for your business?

We may be slightly biased towards working with an agency, but we'll do our best to compare the two unbiasedly. 

So, let's dive in to help you make the best decision for your business.

Cost-Effectiveness

When it comes to cost-effectiveness, working with a marketing agency can seem more expensive up-front. However, while hiring internally may seem like the cheaper option when directly comparing monthly payments, additional costs often exist, such as recruitment fees, employee benefits, superannuation, office space, equipment and software, and training expenses. 

On the other hand, marketing agencies offer flexible pricing options based on the needs and budget of your business. Often, the agency model allows you to leverage the expertise of an entire team for the price of one mid-level in-house employee. Plus, agencies come equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technology to save your business additional costs in the long run.

Access to a Diverse Skill Set

Having a team with diverse skills and backgrounds will help you develop innovative ideas and strategies for your marketing campaigns. However, hiring a well-rounded marketing team in-house can be challenging and expensive. For example, you may need SEO services occasionally, but not enough to justify hiring someone full or part-time. 

Marketing agencies typically have a team of professionals with expertise in various marketing disciplines, including content creation, social media management, graphic design, SEO, and more. This ensures you can access resources on demand and that your marketing efforts are well-rounded and effectively executed. Additionally, agencies often invest in the professional development of their employees, so you can trust that their skills are up-to-date with the latest industry trends.

Flexibility and Scalability

When working with an internal team, scalability can be a significant challenge. If your business experiences rapid growth or needs to scale back, adjusting your in-house marketing team accordingly can be challenging. This can lead to additional costs, wasted resources, and employee turnover.

By partnering with a marketing agency, you can quickly scale your marketing efforts up or down as needed. In addition, agencies have the resources to accommodate fluctuations in your business and can adapt your marketing strategy accordingly. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for small businesses or startups navigating the unpredictable nature of growth.

Lower Risk

The risk of making a bad hire can have significant consequences for your business. When an employee is not the right fit for their role, it can lead to reduced productivity, lowered morale among the team, and increased costs associated with training and potential rehiring. 

Furthermore, letting go of an underperforming employee can be a complicated and time-consuming process, depending on your region's legal protections and regulations. 

This is another reason why partnering with a marketing agency can be advantageous. By working with an agency, you avoid the risks of hiring full-time employees while benefiting from a diverse pool of talent and expertise tailored to your business needs. And if you don't feel the partnership is working out, ending the relationship is usually relatively straightforward.

Time and Resource Management

Managing an internal marketing team can be time-consuming, especially regarding recruitment, training, and overseeing daily tasks. This can take valuable time away from focusing on other essential aspects of your business. 

Working with a marketing agency means you can delegate these tasks to experienced professionals, freeing up your time to concentrate on what you do best. Additionally, marketing agencies often have well-established processes and systems, ensuring your marketing campaigns run smoothly and efficiently.

Staying Ahead of the Competition

The digital marketing landscape continues to change at a rapid pace. With the adoption of AI, new social channels, and Account-Based Marketing, it can be hard to stay ahead of the competition - hurting the success of your business. 

Marketing agencies constantly research and implement new strategies, techniques, and technologies to help their clients stay ahead.

While dedicated and knowledgeable, an internal team may not always have the time or resources to stay current with the latest industry developments. This can lead to outdated strategies and a potential loss of competitive edge.

A marketing agency, however, is constantly staying up-to-date with the latest trends and tactics, ensuring that your business remains ahead of the competition. By working with an agency, you can ensure that you're always prepared to seize the next ample opportunity.

External Perspective

Sometimes, being too close to your business can make it difficult to see the bigger picture or identify areas for improvement. For example, an internal marketing team may become too entrenched in your company culture, making it challenging to think outside the box.

Working with a marketing agency gives you access to an external perspective, allowing for unbiased analysis and creative solutions. In addition, an agency can help identify gaps in your marketing strategy and provide fresh ideas to elevate your campaigns.

But - what are the risks?

While working with a marketing agency has its advantages, it's important to consider potential drawbacks of outsourcing:

  • Control: Outsourcing your marketing efforts to an agency may mean giving up a certain level of control over your campaigns. While agencies are experts in their field, they may not have an in-depth understanding of your company culture or long-term goals, which could lead to misaligned strategies or expectations.
  • Communication: While it’s less of an issue in modern times with more and more employees working remotely, working with an agency can present some communication challenges. For example, a marketing agency typically won’t be based in the same office as your company, and there may be time zone differences or language barriers if working internationally. 
  • Flexibility: Agencies often have multiple clients and may not be able to respond quickly to your requests or adapt their strategies as readily as an in-house team. This can be particularly challenging if your business operates in a rapidly changing industry or requires frequent pivots in marketing strategy.
  • In-house expertise: Relying on an external agency may limit opportunities for your internal team members to develop their marketing skills and expertise. And if you decide to leave the agency, you need to leave all the skills and knowledge acquired by them as well. However, the same risk applies to an internal staff member who may leave the business at any time. 

Despite these potential negatives, partnering with a marketing agency can still provide immense value for many businesses. It's crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully and choose an agency that aligns well with your company's goals, values, and budget.

In Summary

While both internal hires and marketing agencies offer their own unique advantages, it's important to carefully consider your business's needs and objectives before making a decision. Overall, working with a marketing agency can provide cost-effectiveness, access to diverse skill sets, flexibility, time and resource management, a competitive edge, and an external perspective that can prove invaluable to your business's growth and success.

Ultimately, the choice between a marketing agency and an internal hire will depend on your specific situation and preferences. However, by partnering with a marketing agency like Aamplify you can trust that you're in the hands of seasoned professionals who are committed to helping your business reach its full potential.

Need advice on scaling up your marketing efforts? Contact Aamplify today for a friendly, unbiased, no-obligation chat about how to propel your business forward.