In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking ways to effectively market their products and services online. A key decision that business owners face is whether to hire a digital marketing company or bring on a full-time employee to handle their marketing needs. Both options come with distinct advantages and associated costs. In this blog, we’ll break down the financial and operational considerations of each to help you make the best decision for your business.
1. Upfront Costs
- Hiring a Full-Time Employee: When you hire a full-time employee, you’ll need to account for salary, benefits, and possibly training costs. The average salary for a digital marketing specialist in the U.S. is around $50,000-$70,000 annually, depending on experience and location. In addition to the salary, you’ll need to cover other costs like healthcare benefits, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, and employment taxes, which can increase the overall cost by 20%-30%.
- Hiring a Digital Marketing Company: Digital marketing agencies typically charge based on the services they provide. Monthly retainers can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the scope of work and the agency’s expertise. These agencies usually come fully equipped with a team of specialists, tools, and technologies, which means you won’t have to invest in additional training or software.
2. Expertise and Skills
- Full-Time Employee: A single employee may be proficient in certain areas of digital marketing, such as SEO or content creation, but it’s rare to find someone who is a jack-of-all-trades. To fill gaps in skills, you may need to hire additional employees or invest in training programs. While a dedicated full-time marketer can provide consistent, focused attention on your business, their range of expertise may be limited.
- Digital Marketing Company: Agencies often have a team of experts in various fields, including SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing, email marketing, and analytics. By working with an agency, you gain access to a wide array of skill sets and experience levels without having to hire multiple employees. This can be particularly valuable for businesses that need comprehensive marketing solutions but don’t want to manage a large in-house team.
3. Flexibility
- Full-Time Employee: When you hire a full-time employee, you’re committing to their salary and benefits long-term. If your business experiences seasonal fluctuations or unexpected changes in demand, you’ll still be paying the same fixed costs, even if marketing activities decrease. On the flip side, having an in-house marketer allows you to quickly pivot and make adjustments based on the business’s needs.
- Digital Marketing Company: Agencies often offer more flexibility in their contracts. You can scale up or down based on your marketing needs, whether it’s increasing your budget for a large campaign or cutting back during quieter months. Some agencies also offer project-based work or short-term contracts, which is helpful if you’re unsure about long-term commitments. This flexibility can save you money in the long run.
4. Time and Management
- Full-Time Employee: While an in-house employee is dedicated to your business, they’ll need to be managed, trained, and provided with resources. As a business owner, this means you’ll need to invest time in overseeing their work, offering feedback, and ensuring they stay updated with the latest trends in digital marketing. The cost here isn’t always financial—it’s also about the time commitment.
- Digital Marketing Company: With an agency, you’re essentially outsourcing the management and execution of your marketing campaigns. They are often experienced in working with businesses like yours and can hit the ground running with minimal oversight. This frees up time for you and your team to focus on other areas of your business. However, it’s important to note that communication is key, and regular check-ins are necessary to ensure your goals align.
5. Technology and Tools
- Full-Time Employee: To be effective, your in-house marketer will need access to a range of digital marketing tools—think Google Analytics, social media management platforms, email marketing software, and SEO tools. These tools can add up to thousands of dollars per year in subscriptions and licensing fees. Additionally, you may need to invest in training to ensure your employee is proficient with these tools.
- Digital Marketing Company: Agencies come equipped with advanced marketing tools as part of their service. You won’t need to invest in purchasing or maintaining these tools yourself. Many agencies use industry-leading platforms, providing you with access to cutting-edge technology without the upfront investment.
6. Results and ROI
- Full-Time Employee: The success of your marketing efforts with an in-house employee will largely depend on their skills, experience, and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Over time, they will develop a deep understanding of your business and its audience, which can help in crafting more personalized marketing strategies. However, the learning curve can be steep, and immediate results are not guaranteed.
- Digital Marketing Company: Agencies are often held accountable for delivering results quickly because they work on performance-based contracts. Their wide-ranging expertise and access to data-driven insights often enable them to drive faster results and optimize campaigns more effectively. However, because they work with multiple clients, the attention to your specific business needs might not be as focused as with an in-house employee.
Conclusion
Deciding between hiring a full-time employee and working with a digital marketing company depends on your business’s unique needs, budget, and long-term goals. If you have a consistent need for specialized marketing skills and the budget to support it, an agency may offer more flexibility, access to advanced tools, and quicker results. However, if you want someone who can provide dedicated attention and gradually build a deep understanding of your brand, investing in a full-time employee might be the right choice.
At Curtis Corporation, we help businesses like yours navigate these decisions by offering tailored marketing solutions that fit your budget and goals. Whether you choose to hire an in-house team or partner with a digital marketing company, we’re here to support your growth.