The Value of Partnering with a Marketing Agency
When you're running a small business or startup—especially in fast-growing industries like e-learning—building the right team is critical. Marketing, in particular, is the backbone of growth, enabling you to reach potential customers, refine your messaging, and ultimately scale. But here's the big question every business owner faces: Do you hire an in-house marketing team or partner with a marketing agency?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but when weighing the costs and benefits, working with an agency can provide a surprising edge. From saving on expenses like vacation time and benefits to gaining access to an entire team of experts for a fraction of the cost, agencies can offer unmatched value. Here’s how partnering with an agency stacks up against hiring in-house.
1. Mistake Hires are Expensive
Hiring in-house can be a gamble. Making the wrong hire isn’t just frustrating—it can cost your company dearly. According to a 2017 CareerBuilder survey, nearly 75% of employers reported bad hires, and managers estimated a single hiring mistake could cost an average of $14,900.
For small businesses or startups with limited budgets, that’s a hefty expense. And it’s not just about money—it’s about what goes undone while you’re filling the new vacancy. Replacing an employee takes an average of 42 days (according to SHRM), disrupting productivity in the meantime.
Partnering with an agency sidesteps this risk entirely. Agencies undergo rigorous hiring for their teams, employing top-tier talent ready to hit the ground running. With an agency, you’re not just avoiding costly mistakes—you’re gaining peace of mind.
2. Agencies Don’t Take Time Off
Ever calculated how much vacation time costs your company? It adds up. The average US employee gets 10 days of paid vacation per year, plus public holidays. This means over 5% of their annual salary essentially goes toward time that isn’t spent working. Now multiply this by a full in-house marketing team, and it’s clear how quickly the costs escalate.
On the other hand, agencies are always “on.” They have teams working around the clock to ensure your projects meet deadlines, regardless of vacation schedules. While individual agency team members take time off, the agency ensures your work continues seamlessly—with no drop in productivity.
3. Agencies Don’t Require Benefits
Hiring full-time employees comes with more than just salary costs. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that benefits account for approximately 31% of total compensation costs for employers. This includes health insurance, retirement contributions, and other perks—all of which can easily add $10,000 or more per employee annually.
Agencies remove that expense entirely. You only pay for the services provided—no health plans, no 401(k) matches, and no overhead. That’s a significant savings opportunity for growing businesses, allowing you to redirect your budget toward high-impact initiatives.
4. Agencies Require No Oversight or Management
When you hire in-house, managing employees becomes part of the equation. From onboarding and training to ongoing supervision, you’ll need to invest significant time to get your team up to speed. And unless you already have marketing expertise, you may not know how to guide them or evaluate performance effectively.
Agencies eliminate this burden by assigning a dedicated account manager or team lead as your point of contact. They manage their internal processes, timelines, and outputs, ensuring you get results without the micromanagement. This allows you to focus on running your business while leaving the marketing to the pros.
5. Minimal Reviews & Approvals Required
Agencies are incentivized to deliver high-quality work quickly. Their reputation depends on it. With clear direction at the start of a project, agencies often require fewer revisions or approvals than in-house teams, saving you time and energy. Rather than earmarking hours for back-and-forth edits, you can trust that the agency will get it right the first time—or swiftly correct course if needed.
6. Multiple Brains for a Fraction of the Price
Here’s the kicker: when you hire an agency, you’re not just hiring one person—you’re hiring a team of specialists. Most agencies provide access to a crew of experts, including strategists, writers, designers, analysts, and social media whizzes. And yes, at least one of them will likely be a senior-level marketer with years of experience under their belt.
Compare this to the cost of hiring equivalent roles in-house. A senior-level strategist alone could demand a six-figure salary, while adding entry- or mid-level support would rack up additional expenses. Partnering with an agency gives you access to the same level of expertise—without the associated costs.
Quantifying the Savings
How much can you save by hiring an agency over building an in-house team? Here’s a rough breakdown:
While in-house hires can easily cost your business $100,000+ per year (per employee), an agency partnership often comes at a fraction of the price. Plus, you gain a breadth of expertise that would otherwise require multiple in-house hires.
Unlock Your Business's Marketing Potential
If you’re debating between hiring in-house and working with an agency, think about more than just immediate costs. Agencies don’t just save you money—they save you time, mitigate risk, and give you access to specialized talent that can elevate your brand.
At Paralian Marketing, we’ve worked with startups, small businesses, and e-learning platforms just like yours to craft results-driven marketing campaigns. Whether you need help with social media, email marketing, content strategy, or all of the above, we’re ready to help.
Want to see what’s possible with an expert agency in your corner? Review our services or book a complimentary consultation today. Together, we’ll take your business to the next level.
