When running a small business, resources are often limited and allocated only to the most important aspects of the business. Managing digital marketing in-house is often out of the question.
This is how the concept of a fractional marketing team was conceived. Outsourcing lets small—to mid-sized businesses tap into the expertise and knowledge of a full team of marketing experts. It levels the playing field with businesses with large marketing budgets—and at just a fraction of the cost.
How to outsource your digital marketing for a small business? Let's discuss this topic today.
Key Takeaways
Outsourcing digital marketing offers small businesses access to a Fractional Marketing Team, allowing them to tap into specialized expertise without the overhead of an in-house team.
Businesses should focus on outsourcing tasks like SEO, social media management, and content creation while keeping strategic decision-making and customer relationship management in-house.
Finding the right outsourcing partner involves defining clear goals, evaluating industry experience, and ensuring good communication to align with your business's digital marketing goals.
Why Consider Outsourcing?
Outsourcing digital marketing offers various benefits beyond what an in-house team can provide. We mentioned before that outsourcing can level the playing field with big businesses that have their in-house teams or a large marketing budget, but let's explore how.
It's cost-effective.
Hiring full-time marketing staff comes with significant overhead. Not only do you have to budget for staff salaries, but you also have to budget for the cost of tools and training.
Outsourcing, however, gives you access to comprehensive digital marketing services without the financial burden of maintaining an in-house marketing team. Digital marketing agencies offering outsourcing services often bundle expertise and tools into their packages, so you save money in the long run.
It's your gateway to marketing expertise.
External agencies bring specialized knowledge in various areas, from SEO services and social media marketing to content marketing and PPC ads. With a team of professionals, you can be confident that you're employing the latest strategies tailored to your business goals.
These experts are always up-to-date with digital marketing trends, so your business benefits from cutting-edge techniques across all areas of a comprehensive marketing strategy.
It's flexible and adapts to your needs.
As your business grows, so do your marketing needs. Outsourcing provides you the flexibility to scale your digital marketing campaigns without the hassle of hiring more staff.
Say you need to boost your presence on social media platforms, launch new advertising campaigns, or enhance your SEO strategy. An outsourced team can adjust your marketing efforts based on your business needs. This scalability makes it easier to manage fluctuating demands cost-effectively.
What Marketing Tasks Should You Outsource?
By now, you may seriously be considering hiring a marketing agency for your tasks. But what can you delegate? Here are the core marketing tasks you may want to consider outsourcing:
SEO (Search engine optimization)
SEO is an important aspect of any digital marketing strategy but requires constant attention to the latest algorithm changes and keyword trends. Outsourcing technical SEO to a digital marketing agency ensures that professionals optimize your website.
Experts can improve your search engine rankings, increase the organic traffic to your site, and make your business more visible to potential customers. Outsourcing SEO to specialists saves time and guarantees that your website stays competitive.
Social media management
Managing social media effectively requires consistent posting, audience engagement, and tailored content for different platforms. Outsourcing your social media management tasks can ensure your business actively engages with its target audience on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
A social media manager from an external agency will create a content calendar for you, monitor analytics, and help increase brand awareness without adding extra work for your internal team.
Content creation
Outsourcing content marketing allows you to tap into a pool of skilled writers, designers, and videographers who can produce high-quality blogs, graphics, and videos.
Professionals in outsourcing content marketing understand how to craft content that resonates with people, especially your target audience. They know how to support your SEO goals and strengthen your overall marketing message. This can also include email marketing and social media advertising to align all your content with your business goals.
Website development & maintenance
Your website is your company's digital face, and it is vital to keep it user-friendly, fast, and functional. Outsourcing website development and maintenance optimizes your site's user experience without requiring you to have the necessary technical knowledge.
Experts can manage everything from site updates to performance improvements to make sure your site operates smoothly, ranks well, and delivers excellent customer experiences.
What You Should Keep In-House
While outsourcing digital marketing activities can streamline your operations and save time, a certain task should always remain in-house. This function is crucial for maintaining the authenticity and direction of your business.
While outsourcing execution—like digital marketing campaigns or content marketing—can ease the workload, your overall strategy should be guided internally. Strategic planning involves setting business goals, understanding your unique value propositions, and defining the direction of your marketing efforts.
An in-house team or the business owner is best positioned to oversee these high-level decisions because they have intimate knowledge of the company's mission, market, and long-term vision.
Managing strategic decisions in-house allows for alignment across all marketing activities, ensuring that marketing efforts support core business objectives.
How to Find Your Outsourcing Partner
After you have listed the tasks you want help with, the next step is finding the right partner to outsource them to. Here's how you can approach this process:
Make your goals clear.
Before contacting any digital marketing agency, clarifying what you're trying to achieve is important. Is your focus brand awareness, lead generation, or improving your SEO rankings? Having clear objectives will help you find a partner with the relevant expertise.
This step ensures that both your internal team and the outsourcing partner are on the same page, streamlining the execution of marketing strategies tailored to your needs.
Evaluate skills, knowledge, and industry experience.
Not all agencies are created equal. Look for digital marketing agencies that understand the challenges faced by small businesses and have experience working within your industry.
The right partner will have the specialized expertise to handle your specific marketing needs, whether it's social media marketing, email marketing, or managing online advertising campaigns. Agencies with a proven record in your industry can better target your business operations and target audience.
See their case studies and testimonials.
A good agency should have a portfolio of successful projects. Look for case studies, testimonials, and anything that demonstrates their ability to achieve results for businesses like yours. These examples will give you insight into their past performance.
Reviews from other small business owners can also offer an honest perspective on the agency's work ethic and customer service.
Assess their communication skills.
Effective collaboration is key to any successful partnership. Your outsourcing partner must be responsive, communicate clearly, and integrate well with your in-house team. The ability to work seamlessly with your internal staff and adjust their approach based on feedback is crucial for achieving your marketing goals.
Look for a marketing partner that offers open communication channels and has a collaborative mindset, allowing for smooth execution of digital marketing strategies.
Common Mistake When Outsourcing
Miscommunication can derail even the best marketing plans. When you outsource digital marketing, set clear expectations from the start. Be specific about your KPIs, timelines, and deliverables.
Without clarity, your marketing efforts may miss the mark, wasting resources and creating frustration. Your marketing team and the digital marketing agency must understand your goals, such as increasing traffic or improving lead generation, to avoid missteps.
Focus on What Matters. Outsource Your Marketing Now
LeaseMyMarketing provides outsourced digital marketing services tailored to your unique business needs. From SEO and social media management to website design and content creation, we handle the heavy lifting for you. Let our experts craft the perfect strategy to boost your brand and drive results.
Contact us today to learn how outsourcing your digital marketing can give you the edge you've been looking for!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to outsource digital marketing?
To outsource digital marketing, start by identifying which areas of marketing you need help with—such as SEO, social media marketing, or content creation. Once you've defined your goals, research digital marketing agencies or freelancers with relevant industry expertise.
Be clear about your marketing tactics, budget, and expected outcomes to ensure both your in-house team and the outsourcing partner are aligned.
How much does it cost to outsource digital marketing?
The cost to outsource digital marketing varies. Most digital marketing agencies offer a range of packages, with small businesses typically spending anywhere from $2,500 to $12,000 per month on services like SEO, content marketing, and social media management.
Some agencies also provide customized options based on specific digital marketing goals, which can either be more affordable or higher depending on the level of specialized expertise and tools required.
How can small businesses use digital marketing?
Small businesses can utilize digital marketing by focusing on cost-effective strategies like SEO, social media marketing, and email marketing. With these tactics, they can reach a broader market, increase brand visibility, and generate leads.
Investing in online advertising, such as PPC ads, can also drive immediate traffic. Small businesses should monitor their marketing analytics to track campaign performance and refine their approach based on what resonates most with their audience.
Outsourcing digital marketing services is the best way for small businesses without the budget or time to compete against bigger brands in the same industry.
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