This option is out of reach for many SMBs and unless you have experience managing a marketer, it can come with serious headaches, and generally costs more than is feasible.

Pros

• • Can build a deep understanding of your business
  • Quick decision-making with faster internal communication
  • Easier to integrate inter-departmental input and feedback

Cons

• • Higher costs from salary through to training
  • May lack diverse skills and experience
  • Potential for stagnated perspectives and ideas

This is where most SMBs will sit. Outsourcing your sales and marketing tactics, like any other service, means you can choose an experienced marketer to strategically manage your marketing, and professionally manage freelancers for the most effective creative outcomes.

Pros

• • Scalability of services and ability to deliver on fluctuating project needs
  • Fresh perspectives from inter-industry experience and strategies
  • Cost effective strategic marketing management gets you more bang for your buck

Cons

• • Less control over day-to-day operations and strategy
  • Potential for communication gaps due to lack of industry knowledge when working with generalist agencies that hire junior marketers
  • Competing with multiple clients that may lead to divided attention

While having experience will help you work with freelancers, unlike an internal hire, working with freelancers means flexibility and the option of hiring various skilled specialists, rather than relying on one marketer to know everything.

Pros

• • Generally more cost effective up-front
  • Flexible working arrangements for specific projects or ongoing deliverables
  • Potential for faster project turnaround as you are managing each project independently

Cons

• • Do not provide true strategic services when compared to an employee or external marketer
  • Much harder to integrate your company culture and voice-of-customer insights
  • High dependency risk where you are relying on individual freelancers to deliver project milestones