Effective team building is crucial for the success of any organization, especially in the marketing department, which requires creativity, collaboration, and strategic thinking. In today’s world, companies have various options to build their marketing team, including in-house employees, freelancers, and marketing agencies. Each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one depends on the situation and specific needs of the company. In this article, we will compare and contrast these three options, analyze real-life situations, and provide practical recommendations.
In-house Employee
An in-house employee is a person who is hired by the company on a full-time or part-time basis to work exclusively for the company.
One of the significant advantages of having an in-house employee is that they are committed to the company’s mission and values, which helps them align their work with the company’s goals. They also have a better understanding of the company’s culture, which helps them work better with other departments.
Another advantage of having an in-house employee is that they are available on-site, which makes communication and collaboration easier. They can attend meetings, brainstorming sessions, and other activities that require their physical presence. Moreover, they are more accessible to the company’s resources, such as the company’s marketing tools and software.
However, one of the disadvantages of having an in-house employee is that it can be costly. The company has to pay for their salary, benefits, and other expenses such as office space and equipment. Additionally, if the company does not have enough work to keep them occupied, they may end up being idle, which is a waste of resources.
TOP-3 functions that I always delegate to in-house employees:
- Strategic marketing. The marketer analyzes competitors, clients, and the company. They know the business goals, adjust the strategy, and develop a monthly, quarterly, and annual marketing plan.
- Project management. This is the connecting link between all the performers. The employee formulates technical tasks, controls quality, cost, and deadlines.
- Social Media Marketing. This employee communicates a lot with clients and answers their questions. They also interact with colleagues to obtain new material for content publication. Most often, this employee works with several copywriters, from whom they order texts. All these tasks require good product knowledge and full-time presence at work.
In all my projects, I always performed the first two functions independently. This helped me make strategically correct decisions during operational management.
Freelancer
A freelancer is a person who works on a project-by-project basis and is not an employee of the company. They are usually hired for a specific task or project and are paid for their services.
One of the advantages of hiring a freelancer is that it can be cost-effective. The company does not have to pay for their salary, benefits, or other expenses.
Another advantage of hiring a freelancer is that they are flexible. They can work remotely, which saves the company office space and other overhead costs. Moreover, they can be hired on a project-by-project basis, which means that the company can hire them only when they need them, which is more cost-effective.
Another advantage of hiring a freelancer is that they are flexible. They can work remotely, which saves the company office space and other overhead costs. Moreover, they can be hired on a project-by-project basis, which means that the company can hire them only when they need them, which is more cost-effective.
However, one of the disadvantages of hiring a freelancer is that they may not be as committed to the company’s mission and values as an in-house employee. They may not have a good understanding of the company’s culture, which may affect their work quality. Moreover, communication and collaboration can be challenging, especially if the freelancer is working remotely.
TOP-3 functions that I always delegate to freelancers:
- Copywriting. The most challenging part is finding a suitable specialist, but it always pays off. Once this happens, you’ll need a few months to train them. During this period, a technical specialist checks all their texts and provides detailed feedback. The most important rule: making mistakes is not scary, but repeating them is.
- Web design. Direct communication with the designer speeds up the work, and you can be sure that the specialist truly understands you. I recommend periodically searching for new designers – this will improve the quality of work. And always pay extra to get the original file where the design is editable. In the future, you won’t have to pay to change an image or text.
- An outsider’s perspective. Periodically, I pay external experts who analyze my website, advertising, search engine optimization, or something else. Their reports are necessary for identifying weak areas and growth points. After that, I formulate technical tasks and make the company’s marketing even better.
Marketing Agency
A marketing agency is a company that specializes in providing marketing services to other companies. They have a team of experts in various marketing fields such as branding, advertising, social media, and digital marketing.
One of the advantages of hiring a marketing agency is that they have a pool of experts who have experience working with various companies and industries. They can provide the company with a broader perspective on marketing strategies and tactics.
Another advantage of hiring a marketing agency is that they are fully equipped with the latest marketing tools and software. They have access to resources that a small marketing team may not have access to. Moreover, they are committed to delivering quality work to the client, which helps them build a long-term relationship.
However, one of the disadvantages of hiring a marketing agency is that it can be expensive. The company has to pay for their services, which can be costly, especially for small companies. Moreover, the agency may not have a good understanding of the company’s culture and may not align their work with the company’s goals.
TOP-3 functions that I always delegate to marketing agencies:
- Web development. This is due to the large number of highly specialized employees working on the task, as well as their oversight. Typically, a marketing agency has a project manager who is knowledgeable in web development and capable of checking the specialists’ work.
- Setting up and managing advertising (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and others). The most valuable aspect here is their experience, as the agency works with a multitude of businesses. And you can delegate complex tasks without worrying about the details of execution.
- Online Reputation Management. Usually, carrying out this function involves using a large number of tools to monitor the internet, register on various platforms, and create a positive information background around the company.
In conclusion, the right marketing team-building option depends on the company’s needs. In-house employees excel in functions requiring deep understanding of company culture, while freelancers and agencies suit project-based tasks. Optimizing the marketing department occurs after developing a strategy and plan, enabling an optimal balance of employees, freelancers, and agencies.
Remember, building a strong team is an ongoing process, requiring dedication, communication, and collaboration. Foster a positive team culture, set clear goals, and provide support. With the right approach, you can build a motivated, productive, and successful team.
Feel free to reach out for guidance on team building. Just send me an email, and I’ll be happy to help and provide additional insights.