Creative Agency vs Hiring In-House
The Pros and Cons of Inhouse or hiring an external Marketing Agency like Façon Creative
When deciding between in-house marketing and agency services, companies must decide on the benefits and drawbacks of each approach, hiring someone in-house or looking at a contract with an external marketing company.
In-House marketing offers several advantages. Firstly, having an owned talent base ensures that team members are 100% dedicated to the company’s goals and projects, providing a high level of focus and commitment. Additionally, an in-house team is deeply integrated into the company’s culture, which helps in crafting marketing strategies that are closely aligned with the brand’s values and objectives. Furthermore, in-house teams have the potential to develop and own valuable brand and marketing intellectual property (IP), which can be a significant asset.
However, there are notable challenges with in-house marketing as well. One major issue is the difficulty in finding and retaining top talent, which can lead to gaps in expertise and hinder overall performance. In-house teams might also face limitations in specialisation, as they may not have the breadth of skills needed for all marketing channels. For example some aspects of paid marketing, such as Google ads, require a very set expertise and this is better to be outsourced as it is a very particular knowledge required. This lack of thorough knowledge can work against the effectiveness of these types of campaigns.
But we also believe a key point around contracting externally is also a way to add to an in-house team in a way of support!
On the other hand, agency marketing brings a different set of benefits. Agencies offer a wealth of experience and specialisation, having worked with various clients and industries, which provides valuable insights and expertise across multiple channels. They also provide scalability, allowing companies to adjust their marketing efforts quickly and efficiently based on changing needs. Agencies often have access to better training and support from major marketing platforms, ensuring they stay updated with the latest practices. A “brains trust“ of sorts is what is of a huge advantage to clients, particularly in a boutique sized agency such as Façon Creative.
Nonetheless, working with an agency has its drawbacks. Cultural alignment can be a challenge, as agencies may struggle to fully integrate with a company’s specific values and brand message. Additionally, there can be issues with transparency, as it might be unclear how agencies handle their processes and campaigns.
Ultimately, choosing between in-house and agency marketing depends on factors such as budget, required expertise, and the need for cultural alignment and scalability.
Credit: Paul Dear