DIY or Don’t? When to Handle Marketing In-House, and When to Go with a Pro
For small businesses, startups, and local nonprofits looking to grow their brand, time and money are precious resources – and how to allocate these resources is a question of critical importance. So, when it comes to your marketing efforts, you may ask, is it better to work with an agency? Or is going in-house the right call?
Well, if you’ve got the aptitude, and you’re willing to put in the time to get it right, there are certain facets of marketing where DIY solutions can in fact save you money – but for best results, you probably won’t want to handle everything in-house. Let’s take a look at some aspects of design and marketing where the DIY approach can pay off, and others that are better left to an experienced pro…
Web Design
Today, a polished web presence is vital for brands of all sizes – and if you need a big, complex site that’s set up for long-term growth, we strongly recommend going with a professional web designer. But if you’ve got a bit of design sense and your needs are more modest, DIY site-builders like GoDaddy Website Builder might be just what you’re looking for, giving you a streamlined, inexpensive way to get a basic website up and running.
Social Media
You’ll need to familiarize yourself with best practices for various platforms to project a professional image, and when it comes to the more technical aspects of social media marketing, you may find it useful to lean on a marketing pro. But overall, if you’re looking to dip your toes into DIY marketing, social media is a great place to start, offering a user-friendly way to engage with customers and providing a terrific platform for DIY photography and video, too.
Content Writing
From webpage copy to blog posts and email newsletters, high-impact copywriting is key to your brand’s marketing efforts. Obviously, you know your own business – so, if you’ve got the chops, or you’ve got the talent in-house, why not take charge of your own content writing? Just take care not to underestimate the time you may need to invest to get the results you want, and be sure to follow best practices for readability and SEO.
Logos and Graphic Design
Visual branding is often striking in its simplicity, but don’t be fooled – building a standout visual identity is anything but simple, so this is one aspect of marketing you’ll definitely want to leave to a design pro. A skilled designer will work with your ideas about how to represent your brand’s character and values, while bringing to the table their own experience and design acumen to help build a polished, professional brand identity.
Depending on your situation, DIY marketing just might be the perfect fit – but keep in mind that there are some aspects of design and marketing where you’ll be much better served by working with a marketing professional.
Want to learn more? Contact Rosie’s Creative. We’ll give you straight talk about what you can and can’t handle in-house, and work with you to tie everything together into a coherent and comprehensive strategy – helping you build a cohesive brand identity, keeping you on track with a marketing calendar, and making sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
So, if you’re ready to get started, contact Rosie’s Creative today – and remember, with us, your first consultation is always free!