Picture This…
You’re at a crossroads in your business journey. Your marketing needs are growing, and you’re faced with a crucial decision that could shape your company’s future. Should you hire an in-house marketing expert or partner with an agency like Marketer on the Run?
Let’s break this down with a story of two business owners:
Meet Sarah and Mike
Sarah and Mike both run successful SaaS startups, but they took different paths with their marketing strategies. Sarah went the in-house route, while Mike chose to partner with an agency. Their experiences reveal some interesting insights…
The In-House Route (Sarah’s Story):
• Complete brand immersion (her marketer lives and breathes the company culture)
• Direct control over priorities and timelines
• Real-time communication and quick pivots
• But… she faced challenges with:
- Limited skill diversity (one person can’t master everything)
- Higher long-term costs (salary, benefits, training)
- Productivity gaps during vacation or sick days
The Agency Partnership (Mike’s Story):
• Access to diverse expertise and specialized tools
• Flexible scaling of services
• Fresh, outside perspective on strategies
• His challenges included:
- Initial adjustment period
- Sharing attention with other clients
- Less direct control over day-to-day execution
The Solution? Think Hybrid
Here’s where it gets interesting – the most successful businesses often find a sweet spot between these options. Consider this approach:
- Start with your core needs:
- What’s your monthly marketing budget?
- Do you need specialized expertise or general marketing support?
- How much direct control do you want over daily operations?
- Consider your growth stage:
- Early-stage: An agency can provide comprehensive support without the overhead
- Growth phase: Mix agency expertise with in-house coordination
- Enterprise level: Blend in-house team with agency specialists
- Evaluate your resources:
- Time available for management
- Budget flexibility
- Internal expertise gaps
The Actionable Takeaway
For businesses spending $500-$1500 monthly on marketing, starting with an agency partnership often provides the best value.
Why? You get:
• Diverse expertise without the full-time salary commitment
• Scalable services that grow with your business
• Professional guidance in strategy development
• Access to premium tools and resources
Remember: The goal isn’t just to fill a marketing position – it’s to create a sustainable growth engine for your business.
If you’re ready to start a conversation about whether or not we’re the right team to help you on your business journey, contact us today and let’s assess whether our agency can suit your goals.