Outsource marketing or hire a team? How to decide
When should you outsource your marketing vs. hiring a team in-house?
This is a question I’ve been asked for years, and I’ve seen others discuss it online continuously.
The obvious answer is it depends on your stage and goals — but there are several considerations. Based on my experience working in different capacities for over 15 years, from freelancer to in-house to agency and consultant, I’ve outlined a few here.
Investing in an agency or consultant early on to set the strategy can get you on the right track, sooner. This experience from working with countless other businesses like yours can save you tons of time and experimentation, and get you a solid strategy.
Once the strategy is set, you can hire a junior team member to execute the plan. This way, you get the best of both worlds – expert strategy and cost-effective execution.
If you have a marketing system that’s working, it might be time to scale up. You can outsource to an agency to execute at scale, and/or bring someone on board to manage it.
Think about how comfortable you are with marketing and all that it entails (from content to social to branding to funnels to CRM and so much more). If it’s not your strong suit, having an agency or consultant can be a game-changer to take aspects of this off of your plate entirely, and advise along the way.
Leading an in-house team can be tough, but sometimes an external expert can provide the direction you and your team need.
It comes down to what works best for your organization, the stage your business is at, and your expertise. The right combo of leadership paired with external and internal resources can help you win now and in the long-run.
What's been your experience hiring team members or hiring agencies and consultants?
Let me know what you think.
I help organizations and leaders to tell their story and build their brands to make more impact through marketing advising, brand strategy, and training and facilitation.
Explore how we can work together here.
