Should I Outsource My Marketing?

A common misconception amongst business owners is that your marketing team must be internal to be effective. Why should you consider outsourcing marketing? There is a variety of benefits to partnering with an external marketing agency, including:

Outsourcing marketing reduces overhead expenses.

From salaries to vacation time and benefits, it can be expensive to hire a full in-house marketing team. Let’s break down the costs based on the S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ numbers:

• • Marketing Manager: $66,000 - $175,000 annual salary
  • Digital Marketing Strategist: $50,000 - $79,000 annual salary
  • Social Media Manager: $40,000 - $108,000 annual salary
  • Copy Writer: $23,000 - $100,000 annual salary
  • Graphic Designer: $40,000 - $89,000 annual salary

Many companies try to cut down on costs by hiring a marketing specialist. However, this one person most likely won't have every marketing skillset. They may have a knack for social media management. But what about graphic design, photography or website design? Even if the person is a jack of all trades, they will not have enough time to do it all. That is where Cork Tree Creative comes in. Our creative team can work hand in hand with your marketing coordinator to get the job done. When you partner with us, you are receiving a full creative team. We have website designers, photographers, graphic designers, etc. This can be much more affordable than the costs of salaried employees. (Plus, you don’t have to worry about employee turnover.)

Outsourcing marketing saves time.

The cliché is true, time is money. When you outsource your marketing, you are saving your team a lot of time. For example, let’s say your company specializes in construction. Then, chances are you are not an expert in managing a marketing team. Rather, it will take you away from what you are good at: running your business. If you partner with an outside marketing firm, you don’t have to worry about training or employee turnover. At Cork Tree, many of our clients have been with us from the very start in 2009. We support their missions and enjoy working with them. As their organizations grow, we grow with them.

Provides insight on your business from an outside perspective.

We have found that a lot of our clients appreciate the fresh, new insight we can provide for their business. As a CEO, you are working on your business day in and day out. Therefore, it can be hard to think big picture. Digital marketing agencies can provide unbiased opinions about your company’s marketing efforts. Plus, they aren’t afraid to think outside-of-the-box. At Cork Tree, we go to school on our clients’ businesses. We study industry trends and consumer behaviors. Our team uses market research technology to provide powerful data about competitors. Then, we leverage that knowledge to create innovative marketing campaigns.

Outsourcing marketing ensures consistency in marketing efforts.

If you hire an external marketing team, then you are guaranteeing that your marketing won’t be thrown to the wayside. When marketing is done internally, it is easy for it to move to the back burner. This could happen due to budget cuts, or lack of time. However, full-service marketing agencies hold their clients accountable. They ensure marketing efforts are continuous and proactive. Say goodbye to the days of a stagnant website or blank Facebook page. Our project managers will move your marketing forward.

Allows you to work with experts in the marketing industry.

When you join forces with a digital marketing agency, you receive the most current marketing tricks. Marketing specialists bring invaluable experience to the table. They can provide recommendations on what works and what doesn’t. They not only develop marketing campaigns, but also provide reporting to determine ROI. Also, they are well-versed in the latest marketing software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Moz, etc. If you choose to have marketing done internally, you will have to invest in these programs yourself. Also, many advertising agencies specialize in certain industries so you can find the perfect fit for your business. For example, Cork Tree Creative’s core specialties include legal marketing, healthcare marketing and marketing for financial industries.

At Cork Tree Creative, we sweat the small stuff, so you don’t have to. Our goal is to solve your marketing problems and grow your business. Are you interested in reaping the benefits of outsourcing marketing? Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

What scares people about marketing?

Working at a marketing agency, we have heard our fair share of reasons why business owners are hesitant (or terrified) to invest in marketing. “Marketing is too complicated.” “I don’t have the time to market my business.” “I am not tech-savvy, so how can I possibly market my business online?” Just to name a few. In honor of spooky season, let’s get these urban legends de-bunked and find out what scares people most about marketing:

1. Marketing is ever-changing. Do you remember the days when Vine was the hot new social media app? Now, TikTok is all the rage. In a few months, a new platform will hit the app store. Marketing can truly change in an instant. Google is constantly altering its algorithm and recently just launched Google Analytics 4. LinkedIn just got a facelift and Facebook Ads Manager updates often. There is so much to learn and try and it all could change tomorrow. Business owners tend to be intimated by this and it causes them to stray away from marketing altogether. However, as professional digital marketers, it is our job to stay up to date and knowledgeable of the current marketing trends and what is around the corner. At Cork Tree, we are constantly evolving and adapting our marketing strategies to fit our clients’ needs. While change can often be scary, we embrace it in the marketing agency world, and it is what gets us out of bed every morning.
2. Marketing is “too expensive”. It is not uncommon for marketing to be one of the first things to be cut in companies’ annual budget meetings. Why? Because marketing is often viewed as a non-essential cost to execs and management. However, we disagree and as the COVID-19 pandemic has proven, a company’s online presence is now more important than ever. At Cork Tree, we work with a variety of clients with different sized budgets. We help small businesses realize that just because they do not have a massive budget doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a marketing plan in place. Our marketing strategists create campaigns that are innovative and cost-effective, helping clients get the most bang for their buck. For example, a client may not be able to afford to advertise on a billboard in downtown St. Louis or purchase a TV commercial, but that doesn’t mean they can’t afford a Google Ads campaign. The idea that all marketing is expensive is an outdated way of thinking that often holds businesses back from truly engaging with their customers.
3. People dislike ads. Have you ever said “Man, I just love receiving advertisements”? Probably not. But, have you ever wanted a specific item, such as a pair of boots and then seen an ad on Facebook for that exact pair? Probably. The truth is people may not like the idea of advertisements, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work. The days of the Internet being filled with tacky pop-up ads are over. Digital advertising has matured and is now a more sophisticated, seamless experience for online consumers. For example, influencer marketing has completely changed the social media landscape. Influencers’ aesthetic Instagram posts allow brands to market their products in a way that does not feel salesy, but rather feels fun and personable. With Google Ads and digital retargeting ads, companies can be much more specific in their marketing efforts, targeting people who truly care about their product or service rather than shouting to the masses. According to Statista.com, 70% of people are more likely to convert on a website once they have been served retargeting ads. The fear that people hate ads is no longer a valid excuse to stay out of the online advertising game. At Cork Tree, our copywriters, graphic designers and web developers work hand in hand when launching a digital advertising campaign for a client. They draft punchy, engaging copy, design beautiful ads that align with the brand, and create landing pages that convert.

With Cork Tree’s comprehensive services and experienced team, marketing doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, many of our clients say we make it easy (and even fun). Contact us today to learn what we can do for you. Happy Halloween!