Whether your business is looking for a brand refresh, trying to launch an unforgettable campaign or just needs an extra hand with socials, you’ll need to make the crucial decision about how to do it. This means choosing between hiring an internal marketing team or an external marketing agency.
This decision definitely shouldn’t be taken lightly; and you should look into the benefits and potential drawbacks of each before you make this decision.
How does In-House Marketing differ from Agency Marketing?
Employing an in-house team offers better control for more involved business owners and potentially better integration with other departments, resulting in tighter cross-functional collaboration.
On the other hand, marketing agencies come in all different forms, from full-service agencies to niche ones that specialise in a specific area, such as digital marketing. Working with an agency offers the full package of capabilities without making full time hires, and an experienced team you can rely on.
Pros of In-House Marketing
This approach can have many benefits, and specifically suits businesses that value oversight and granular control over marketing operations.
Faster Communication and Execution: When your whole team is on the same site and working in a well established workflow, it means that they are fully integrated, so you avoid delays from back-and-forth emails or having to schedule meetings with external partners.
Greater Control: With an in-house team, you have greater visibility over strategy, execution and performance. This means it is easier to pivot direction or test new ideas without renegotiating contracts.
Cons of In-House Marketing?
Higher Fixed Costs: Maintaining an in-house team is a big investment in employee salaries, benefits, ongoing training and any technical equipment needed. Even during slow periods, you must pay your team, which can be more costly compared to outsourcing.
Limited Skill Set: An in-house team may lack specialised expertise in areas like PPC or technical SEO. Whereas agencies bring a diverse, niche team that would be impractical to replicate by hiring individually.
Risk of Creative Stagnation: In-house teams can get too close to the brand and fall into routine thinking. Getting stuck in their comfort zone when it comes to creativity. Agencies can provide bolder ideas that bring an external perspective.
Pros of a Marketing Agency?
Hiring a marketing agency allows your business to leverage the skillsets, knowledge, and experience of seasoned marketing professionals.
Access to specialised Expertise: Agencies employ experts in their field, from copywriters and data analysts, to SEO and web specialists. Instead of relying on a small team, you can benefit from a wider cross section of focused specialists who are up to date with all the current trends.
Lower Risk and Cost Efficient: Hiring a full in-house team is a big commitment and investment, whilst agencies give you a way to test marketing channels and strategies before scaling. You also won’t have to worry about paying for salaries, benefits, or office space.
Measurable Results: Agencies use data to track the performance of all their campaigns, and measure results to provide clients with insights on what’s working that an in-house team would have to guess at.
Cons of a Marketing Agency?
We might be a little biased, but there are generally fewer risks if you take the time to choose an agency that fits your needs. But here’s some potential pitfalls to watch out for when hiring an agency:
Requires Patience and Time: Hiring a marketing agency requires a shift in your mindset. Agency marketing requires building a relationship with long-term benefits, and you can’t always expect success overnight if your agency has to learn all your strange habits and in-house preferences first.
You’re not their only client: Agencies manage multiple clients, so while they aim to be responsive and communicate as much as possible, they might not be available as immediately as an in-house employee. This is why it’s essential to set standards and boundaries at the start of your contract, so you both know exactly what each other needs.
With access to a wide range of specialists, professional tools, and industry insights, agencies can deliver faster execution, fresh creative perspectives, and measurable results. For companies seeking agility, innovation, and scalability, especially in competitive or rapidly changing markets, partnering with a marketing agency often provides a smarter and more efficient path to success than in-house marketing.
Discover everything a marketing agency can offer your business today. Contact TFA to discover how we can help you.