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