Building your in-house marketing team vs working with an agency: the best approach for growth
Wondering whether bringing in a marketing agency or building your in-house team is the best way to achieve growth? You’re not alone. Here we explore common misconceptions about working with agencies, share how they can complement your in-house expertise and provide tips for getting the most from your agency partnership.
The growth dilemma: DIY or team up for growth
If you’re growing your business, stepping up your marketing efforts is likely to be at the top of your to-do list.
Your first instinct might be to invest more in your in-house marketing team. Makes sense – after all, who knows your business better than the people who live and breathe it every day?
But here’s the thing: while an in-house marketing team brings invaluable product, customer and operational knowledge, partnering with a creative agency is often the magic ingredient that could help you cut through the clutter.
Still, we get it. There are worries - about cost, control, or whether an agency will really “get” your brand. So let’s tackle those head-on.
Misconception 1: “An agency won’t understand our business as well as we do.”
It’s true: no-one knows your business quite like your own team. But it’s also true that being too close to things can limit your view. An agency partnership can bring fresh eyes, creativity that comes from working across a range of industries and an ability to spot opportunities that might be missed by an in-house team immersed in the day-to-day.
Good agencies will invest time listening, questioning and getting under the skin of your brand, bringing external expertise and perspective while your team provides inside knowledge.
Misconception 2: “Agencies are expensive - we can do it cheaper ourselves.”
At first glance, an agency might look like the pricier option. But partnering with one gives you access to a full team of specialists – strategists, creatives, social experts and PR professionals.
No recruitment hassle. No overheads. Just an extension of your team that brings specialist skills when and where you need them.
And if you can’t justify a large marketing team, an agency partnership is a cost-effective way of extending your in-house capacity and skillset.
Misconception 3: “We’ll lose control if we outsource our marketing.”
Good agencies don’t take over - they collaborate. You can stay in the driver’s seat, setting priorities and approving work, while your agency brings creativity, extra bandwidth and vital momentum.
Misconception 4: “We’ll lose momentum if we outsource.”
In fact, far from losing control, many businesses find working with an agency gives them more focus. Why? Because marketing projects don’t grind to a halt when in-house teams are pulled onto urgent tasks, or when internal capacity is stretched due to holidays or sickness.
Getting the best from an agency partnership
Let’s be clear: working with an agency doesn’t automatically guarantee results. The benefits can only be realised if the right ways of working are in place. They include:
• Clarity is king: Be clear on your objectives - lead generation, brand awareness or entering a new market. Agencies work best when they know what success looks like.
• Talk like teammates: Treat your agency as an extension of your team, sharing plans, insights and feedback openly.
• Be open to challenge: Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. The value of an agency lies partly in its ability to push your thinking. Be prepared to hear their ideas, even if they don’t always match your instincts.
The takeaway
At the end of the day, it doesn’t have to be “us vs them.” You can have the best of both worlds.
Done right, it’s about adding the magic that helps your team shine.
Ready to see what a powerful agency partnership could do for you?
Let’s talk.
Call us on +44 1482 332255 or email hello@pacecomms.co.uk.
