How much does outsourced marketing cost?
There’s no single price tag for outsourced marketing. And honestly, that’s a good thing. Your marketing shouldn’t be built around a fixed list of services you don’t need. The cost should really depend on what your business is trying to achieve, the expertise that calls for, and how much marketing support you actually need.
The better question is “What capability can I get for my investment?”
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What affects the cost of outsourced marketing?
Of course, the cost of an outsourced marketing partnership really depends on your unique situation.
You want to consider the number of services you need, to start. You might need strategic direction and content, or you might need a team covering SEO, paid campaigns, social media, email and reporting too.
Your business goals matter as well. A business looking to generate more qualified leads will need a different approach from one that’s, say, focused on building brand awareness, or entering a new market.
The level of expertise required also has a big impact on what your investment should be. Senior strategic input and specialist skills come at a different level to simply outsourcing individual tasks.
Finally, the amount and complexity of ongoing support will influence what you might pay. The more responsibility your outsourced team takes on, the more involved the partnership becomes.
The good news is, you’re not paying to employ every specialist yourself. Who would want to do that, right?
So, here’s the deal. Outsourced marketing can be structured in several ways.
- Monthly retainers are common when you need ongoing strategic and practical support. You pay an agreed monthly fee for an ongoing marketing function.
- Project-based pricing can work when you have a defined campaign or specific piece of work with a clear beginning and end.
- Day or hourly rates may suit businesses that need occasional specialist input rather than continuous support.
- There’s also fractional marketing support, where you bring in senior marketing expertise for a set amount of time. This can be useful when you need leadership but not a full marketing function.
For businesses looking for consistent growth, an ongoing outsourced partnership can provide the greatest breadth of capability.
Is outsourced marketing worth the cost?
This is where the comparison with in-house marketing gets interesting.
Building a capable internal team means paying salaries, recruitment costs, employer overheads, software, training and everything else that comes with maintaining multiple roles.
Outsourcing gives you access to a wider pool of marketers and specialists without having to employ every person individually.
That can mean more capability per pound spent.
And it isn’t only about replacing an in-house team. If you already have marketers internally, an outsourced team can fill specialist skills gaps, provide strategic direction and give your people extra capacity when you need it.
When it’s all said and done, the value comes from having the right people focused on the right marketing, and making that marketing contribute to your commercial goals.
So, how much should you spend?
There’s no magic number. The right investment really does depend on your goals, your existing team, and the level of support your business needs.
Rather than choosing the cheapest option, look for the partner that can give you the right capability, expertise and ownership for your budget.
That’s when outsourced marketing starts becoming an investment in your brand’s growth.
To invest in yours, contact us today.