The Marketing Industry, with special emphasis on the digital marketing sect — which only continues to develop momentum, is an ever-changing field; playing an increasingly intricate role in the success and longevity of a brand. And, in today’s market, there are two things that weigh heavily on a brand’s marketing efforts over time: In the best case scenario, (1) the business grows too fast that that the administrative team simply cannot keep up with the day-to-day efforts. Or, (2) the business falls so far behind the curve that there is no understanding what the process and procedure for attracting today’s audience should be.

No matter what way you slice it, businesses today need help; lots of it.

There are a variety of ways in which an organization can deal with either of the above scenarios. You can hire in-house talent, either full- or part-time, or you can opt for outside assistance by way of freelancer or agency. It’s the business owner’s choice to decide which is best. Though, navigating that decision can be time consuming and, without proper leadership, the end result could do more harm than good.

Here are five reasons you might want to look into help from an agency to grow your marketing efforts…

Outsourcing undeniably saves you money in the long-run: Typical monthly marketing and communication spends (for agency work) start at $3K to $5K per-month, depending on the scope of work. Those numbers over the twelve month calendar year come to a “total spend” of $36K to $60K, annually. Now, let’s compare them to the cost of in-house talent: Marketing Manager roles, in the United States, average $73K in annual salary earnings (before benefits) according to Glassdoor, and they usually don’t come with the design skills. Graphic Designers and Web Developers, in the United States, command an average salary of $53K per-year (again, before benefits). So, the question becomes $120K+ for two people, or $60K for a whole team?

Agency partnerships require a little more structure: If you feel your organization is lacking necessary structural elements (process, business development documents, etc.), an agency can get that ball rolling – because their success is reliant on it. Meeting transcripts with listed deliverables, annual/semi-annual marketing and communications strategy, social media content schedules, and the like are all just some of the documents that’ll establish your new bank of information, tracking business growth.

Outside help equates to an outside perspective: Marketing operations are incredibly reliant on a creative approach to thinking. The phrase, “we’ve always done it that way,” is a Yellow Brick Road to stagnation and gradual decay; whether evolving social media strategy or just generating new web / blog content, it can prove best to not have someone so ingrained in the day-to-day.

Larger teams mean more experience; for better strategy, content, and implementation: The age-old saying, “two heads are better than one,” echos a little louder when considering whether or not to welcome in outside help; especially from an agency. Where the average Marketing Manager has 3-to-5 years of experience, the agency team spearheading your efforts likely has (collectively) anywhere from 20 (on the smaller end) to upwards of 50 years experience. (Ours? I typically serve the average client with two or three additional associates, for an collective average of 25-35 years of experience.)

Distance makes the heart grow fonder: Take it with a grain of salt when we say third-party help tends to have a better mood than the average in-house employee. That’s because they’re not so ingrained in the day-to-day operations of the business. (Again, grain of salt.) Agency team members serve as more of a “partner” role than a traditional employee; valuing and respecting that one-on-one time with their client even more deeply. And you, theirs.

Now, for three {of the many} reasons why you should hire me to carry your message…

This is not your typical freelance relationship, I’m running a new-age agency. Fueled by a decade-long history in freelancing for small- to large-size organizations, my processes and implementation tactics are scalable and “made-to-order” for a unique and unprecedented approach. “My Team” is made up of 5-to-10 creative professionals across the United States and activated “as needed” on a case-by-case basis; this not only gives us a bi-coastal footprint but also, and probably most importantly, reduces client overhead.

I’m your lead point of contact on all operations, always. You’re never pawned off on an intern or other associate. Ever. I handle all inquiries, issue all proposals, accept all responsibilities — and the consequences that come along with them.  (And, P.S.: I haven’t taken a formal vacation in over 10 years!) It’s me and you, in this together.

The “no bullsh*t” law that governs all of my relationships. From my clients to strategic partners, the team behind me, and all those that collaborate with us — I don’t bullshit. There’s value in the lost art of honesty; radical candor and total transparency are what enrich my relationships, and ultimately amplify the end results. I have no room for ego.

THE TIME I SPEND consulting with clients is the most rewarding and deeply personal commitment I could ever make to someone. There is nothing I love more than establishing that partnership, building and perpetuating the success of these brands and businesses.