When it comes to marketing your business, deciding whether to hire an agency or handle everything in-house can be a difficult and lengthy decision. As someone who has worked both; in-house and within an agency, I have seen all the pros and cons of both. In this blog post, we'll compare in-house and agency marketing and help you decide which one is right for your business.
Cost:
Let's talk money. Talking about money can be a considered an uncomfortable topic but it doesn’t always have to be! Especially when it comes to the well-being of your business. When deciding whether to build an in-house marketing team or hire an external agency, the cost will be a big determining factor. If you are thinking of going for the in-house route, a big cost to think about is your employees' salaries. For example, the average Marketing Specialist salary in Reno, NV is $76,131 as of May 01, 2023, but the range typically falls between $64,971 and $87,311. That’s in salary only. Then add on benefits, office space, paying for advertising, and purchasing tools and services your in-house marketers will need. When it comes to the costs of an external digital marketing agency, costs are typically lower than those of an in-house team as the agency will take care of their employees while you, the business owner, pay a monthly fee or retainer.
Quality of Work:
Another factor to consider when debating between in-house marketing and an agency is the quality of the work. In-house marketing teams do tend to have an upper hand in being intimately familiar with your brand and your customers as they are solely dedicated to your company and its success. However, the downside of in-house marketing is that your team may not have the experience and expertise that you would get from a marketing agency. Marketing agencies work with a wide variety of clients across many industries. This can help them offer fresh insights and perspectives on your marketing strategy. Agencies also have access to a wider range of marketing tools and resources that may not be available in-house.
Time:
The last thing I want you to consider when comparing which option is right for your business is time. When you are building up an in-house marketing team you’ll have to take the time to train them and create a cohesive marketing strategy. Ask yourself this, “if I am looking for help with my marketing strategy, do I even know all the ropes myself?” It’s 100% okay if you answer that question with no. As a business owner, you have so many other contributing factors to work through besides marketing when running your business. That’s why agencies are a great alternative as typically they’re already established and can jump right into implementing a strategy for your business.
Conclusion:
So, after examining the pros and cons of both in-house and agency marketing, which one is right for your business? Your answer is going to depend on several factors such as the size of your business, the nature of your industry, and your overall marketing budget. There is no right or wrong answer as with the right approach, either option can help your business achieve its marketing goals and reach new heights of success. Which ultimately, is what anyone would want for their business!
If you're interested in hiring an agency to handle your Social Media Marketing, contact us to learn more about our Social Media Management packages and how we can help you!
Well said Ashley! There's definitely pros and cons to each. It truly depends on the organization and goal for social media! -Sarah B.