When you're running a small business with no official marketing team, marketing can be a daunting task.
The downside is always burnout, a stagnant pool of ideas, time and money wasted, and leadership who have to wear too many hats to succeed. Hiring an agency will leave marketing to the professionals, so you and your team can focus on your business.
Gain Cost Efficiency
Going with the consulting option will save an incredible amount of money.
Most agencies charge flat fees or regular rates, meaning you can influence how much to spend and specify the goals you’re paying to reach. If you were to develop your own in-house marketing team, you would be paying the salaries of at least one to two marketing specialists.
If you were to recreate the full quality of a consulting firm, you would have to hire a graphic designer, a content writer, and a digital media manager, not to mention the additional expertise of SEO marketers and social media managers.
Lead with Expertise
Marketing consulting agencies employ people who understand marketing – how to implement a marketing strategy and how to get results.
Most of them have pursued higher education to get where they are, with impressive portfolios and years of experience. They are up-to-date on the latest trends and avoid marketing pitfalls that a less experience person might fall into.
Choosing the in-house option will cost you in money or quality and will burnout employees who already have other responsibilities.
Get Access to Cutting-Edge Technology
Marketing agencies have access to and experience with the best and most current marketing technologies.
In an increasingly digital world, there are technologies that address all aspects of the selling and buying process, including tools that give you insight into your customer’s buying behavior.
Marketing consulting agencies also have experience with tools that can provide information about your website’s search engine optimization.
Besides the experience with tools, it’s important to also consider the cost of using these tools, a benefit that is typically rolled into your agreement with the agency.
Bring in a Third-Party Perspective
One of the greatest benefits to hiring a marketing consultant instead of using in-house resources is the fresh perspective a third party can bring. When you’ve been in the weeds of your business it can lead to tunnel vision.
Bringing in a marketing consultant or marketing agency can not only add expertise and fresh perspective, but also creativity and new ideas.