Which is Best for Growing Your Business?

If your business has grown primarily through word of mouth and referrals, you’ve likely reached a point where you need a structured marketing strategy to scale further. But should you hire an in-house marketing team or work with an agency?

Many business owners struggle with this decision. Hiring in-house gives you more control, but early-stage hires are often junior and lack the strategic expertise to drive significant growth. On the other hand, hiring an agency provides access to an experienced team with a diverse skill set, often at a similar or even lower cost.

In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each option so you can make the best decision for your business.

The Benefits of Hiring In-House

Bringing marketing in-house allows for full control over strategy, branding, and execution. However, there are challenges that come with building a team from the ground up.

Pros of Hiring In-House:

• Full Control Over Marketing – You oversee your team’s priorities and can align marketing closely with your business goals.
• Deep Understanding of Your Brand – In-house marketers live and breathe your brand every day.
• Long-Term Investment in Talent – Over time, an internal team can become a valuable asset for sustained growth.
• Quicker Communication & Execution – Direct access to your team can speed up decision-making and implementation.

Cons of Hiring In-House:

• Higher Costs for Experienced Talent – A senior marketer with the skills to create a growth strategy is expensive, often costing six figures. See salary insights for marketing roles.
• Junior Hires Lack Strategy Skills – The budget may only allow for a junior marketer who has limited experience and skill in scaling a business.
• Limited Skill Set – One person can’t do everything. You may need multiple hires to cover strategy, content, paid media, and more.
• Recruitment and Training Costs – Finding the right talent takes time and effort, and there’s always a learning curve. Check out this guide on hiring marketers.

The Benefits of Hiring an Agency

Hiring an agency gives you immediate access to experienced professionals across multiple marketing disciplines without the overhead of an in-house team.

Pros of Hiring an Agency:

• Access to a Team of Experts – Agencies bring specialists in strategy, paid media, content, email marketing, and more.
• Cost-Effective Compared to a Full In-House Team – The cost of an agency is often similar to or lower than hiring even one senior marketer.
• Proven Strategies & Frameworks – Agencies have experience scaling businesses and bring tried-and-tested methods. Read this case study on successful agency partnerships.
• Faster Implementation – With an established team, agencies can hit the ground running and start delivering results quickly.
• Flexible & Scalable – You can adjust the level of service based on your needs without the challenges of hiring or firing employees.

Cons of Hiring an Agency:

• Less Control – You rely on an external team, which may require extra effort in communication and alignment.
• Requires Strong Collaboration – Success depends on clear communication and a strong partnership.
• Not as Deeply Embedded in Your Business – Agencies work with multiple clients, so they won’t be as immersed in your brand as an in-house team.

The Best Approach: Start with an Agency, Then Build In-House

For most businesses just starting with structured marketing, the best approach is to work with an agency first. A fractional CMO-led agency can help you:

• Develop a marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting structures.
• Implement initial campaigns and growth strategies.
• Lay the foundation for an in-house marketing team.

Once your business reaches a point where bringing marketing in-house makes financial and operational sense, you can transition to an internal team. By then, you’ll have the strategy, structure, and data needed to hire the right talent and ensure success.

So what then?

If you’re just beginning to invest in marketing, hiring an agency is often the smartest first step. It provides expertise, speed, and flexibility at a cost-effective rate, allowing you to grow efficiently without the challenges of hiring and training an in-house team too early.

However, as your business scales, transitioning to an internal marketing team can provide long-term control and deeper brand integration. The key is to make this shift strategically, using an agency to establish the right marketing foundation first.

Need Help Developing Your Marketing Strategy?

If you’re ready to scale beyond word of mouth but unsure where to start, Round 2 It Marketing specializes in helping businesses like yours build a marketing foundation that drives real growth. Contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can support your journey.