The in-house marketing team vs agency debate has raged on for years. But what’s really best for your business?
Projections show that global e-commerce sales are going to reach $4.8 trillion in 2021. Going online is no longer a nice-to-have for your business, it’s a must-have. But it’s a decision that can have serious consequences for your bottom line.
Keep reading to discover why you should hire a Michigan marketing agency for your business.
1. Gain Years of Experience
When you hire a marketing agency you instantly unlock years of hard-earned experience. Agency employees hone their craft by working with clients from a range of industries and backgrounds. They’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
As a result, you don’t have to waste time and money making rookie mistakes that your agency wouldn’t dream of. You can be confident in an agency strategy because it’s based on tried and tested methods.
As a business owner, your main focus is growing your business. Your marketing agency’s focus is to be the best marketers in the business. Let them show you what to do.
2. A New Perspective
Even if you have an in-house marketing manager, it’s always a good idea to get a fresh perspective. Particularly if they’ve been in the role for a few years.
A marketing agency can take a fresh look at your marketing strategy and website. They’ll be more objective than your in-house team and as they don’t have years of experience with your product, can mirror a consumer viewpoint.
What’s more, the staff at your marketing agency will be keeping up with the latest trends and tech. They’re more likely to discover successful campaign ideas from outside your industry and help you give it a try yourself.
Social media is a prime example of this. It’s easy to get stuck with the same formats and style for your posts, which can bore your followers. Your marketing agency can quickly create beautiful assets to diversify your feed and get your brand the engagement it deserves.
3. It’s Cost-Effective
It may surprise you, but hiring a marketing agency will actually save you money, compared to hiring an in-house executive.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a marketing manager in the US is $129,380. This doesn’t include other costs associated with hiring a new employee, such as training, healthcare, and social insurance.
In contrast, most marketing agencies charge a simple monthly retainer in the range of $1,000 and $3,000. It’s significantly less than hiring a full-time marketing executive and you benefit from having a whole team at your disposal, rather than just a single team member.
4. They Understand a Local Audience
If you run a local business, like a retail store in small-town Michigan or a thriving restaurant, you should contact a Michigan based marketing agency. They’ll understand the demographic you want to attract, know your competitors and have the local lingo down to add a local feel to your marketing plan.
Connecting with a local marketing service also simplifies collaboration. Whilst remote working is having a moment, sometimes there’s nothing better than a face-to-face brainstorming session. Stay local to enjoy the best of both!
5. Agencies Support In-House Staff
Working with an agency doesn’t mean you have to hand over control of your marketing. Get great results by retaining an agency to assist your in-house team with your strategy.
After all, your in-house marketing manager is probably rushed off their feet, managing your social channels, planning events, and handling your website. They don’t have time to research the latest trends and channels that could benefit your business.
Help your in-house staff look at the bigger picture, create a strategy for moving forward, and boost their skills with agency support.
6. Access the Latest Technology
Does your in-house marketing team have access to all the technology they want? It’s unlikely. With so many departments stretching your budget, prioritizing marketing might not be possible.
Agencies solve this problem by utilizing the latest tools on your behalf.
Whether you need SEO optimization, PPC ads, social media management, or email automation software, they’ll have a solution available. Many even have bespoke custom made platforms that simplify reporting and data analysis, which are the most time-consuming aspects of building a marketing strategy.
7. Quickly Scale High Performing Activities
When you rely on an in-house marketing team, the only way to increase your output is to hire more employees. But due to budget constraints, that’s not always an option.
An agency, on the other hand, has plenty of resources on hand that can be called upon in times of need. It might be as simple as needing extra help with a campaign launch or working on a website revamp. Or perhaps you start out utilizing an agency for SEO and then decide to invest in an influencer marketing campaign.
Agencies have the experience to help you scale faster. If you want to try a new tactic for the first time, you won’t need to pay for one of your employees to take an online course or hire a contractor. Your agency can adapt to your needs and help you as you grow.
Hire a Michigan Marketing Agency for Expert Local Support
Introducing an external party to your business can be daunting. But once you bring an agency on board you won’t look back! A Michigan marketing agency will introduce fresh new ideas to your business and it’s more affordable than hiring an in-house team member.
If this post has improved your understanding of marketing agencies and the value they provide, check out the rest of our blog for more marketing articles and inspiration.