Work with an advertising agency

When it comes to choosing between hiring an advertising agency or an in-house marketing employee to deliver your advertising efforts, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages and understanding the differences between hiring an advertising agency or an in-house employee is important so you can make an informed decision.

There are many factors to consider such as costs, the needs of your business and the ability to hire the right person, but you should base your decision on your marketing goals.

Cost and resources

Hiring in-house employees means you’ll have recruitment, salary and training costs whereas working with an advertising agency normally involves a fixed contract with a set budget.

Advertising agencies also have access to cost-efficient tools and resources that you might otherwise have to invest in. They also often have established relationships with media outlets, which can be helpful in securing discounts for traditional advertising efforts.

Skills and expertise

Having in-house employees can be beneficial as they’ll be more familiar with your brand and will understand what you're trying to achieve in your marketing strategy from the beginning of your employment. 

Marketing professionals who work in-house typically have a good understanding of multiple areas of marketing, but an advertising agency will have a team of experts within each field. Advertising agencies have many years of experience in campaign management and industry insights from working with different businesses which can bring a fresh approach to your advertising outputs.

Creative control and outputs

Working with an in-house marketing employee means you’ve greater control over your advertising materials compared to working with an advertising agency. The agency may offer you various creative ideas since you’ve paid for their expertise, but these options may not match your brand's image, leading to delays and disappointment.

If you have the budget, you could hire an advertising agency to work with your in-house marketing team. By viewing the agency as a part of your business rather than a supplier, you can build a strong working relationship focused on a common goal.