Just as many companies today outsource their accounting or IT services, more and more firms are taking a look at outsourcing their marketing. In addition, hybrid marketing strategies – where businesses combine in-house and outsourced marketing – are becoming more common.
There are many reasons businesses choose to outsource some or all of their marketing – but is it right for your company? Here are 4 signs that you could benefit from outsourcing:
- Your in-house marketing team is overworked or overwhelmed. Today’s marketing teams are expected to do a lot. Generating leads and promoting a brand involves everything from social media and email campaigns to Google AdWords, graphic design, content writing and more. A small in-house team can struggle to keep up with all of the changes and handle the demands placed on them. Deadlines may be missed, skills training can fall by the wayside and overall strategy plans may get pushed aside in the rush to get day-to-day tasks completed.An outside marketing agency can give your in-house team the time and resources they need to plan, assist in putting together new ideas, take over some of the tasks that are getting pushed aside and help get things back on track.
- Your marketing is limited. Like all of us, marketers tend to be strong in some areas and not in others, and small teams usually put their focus where their strengths lie. This means that your company may use the same marketing channels again and again – such as print ads or the same old email campaigns – without trying new options.Top marketing firms have a wide range of expertise and team members who have new and different skills, so they can share options for new channels in place of or in addition to your current strategies.
- You have no idea about what’s working and what’s not. How’s your website working for you? Is it bringing in enough traffic? What were the results of your last email campaign, promotion or offer? If you or your team can’t provide numbers and explain the ROI for your major marketing efforts, you have a problem.A good marketing firm will be able to show you reports that detail what’s being spent where. In addition, they’ll provide insight into how your marketing is affecting your bottom line.
- You have to cut costs. We are not suggesting that you downsize your in-house marketing team! However, if you’ve been forced to cut staff due to downsizing – or if you can’t afford to hire additional staff right now – you may benefit from outsourcing. By contracting outside marketing experts, you avoid the benefits costs and equipment expenses that come with hiring a new employee while gaining the top-notch talent and skills you need.
Think outsourcing might be a good choice for your business? Contact us to discuss how we can help.