If you want to take your business digital, you may be trying to decide between a full-service digital marketing agency, hiring a freelancer, or doing it all yourself (DIY). While there are benefits to each option, it all boils down to whether the end justifies the means.
The One-Person Show
On the surface, hiring a one-person show to help you with your digital marketing may seem like the cheapest and most efficient option. After all, why pay for an entire team when one person can do the job?
With the recent prevalence of digital marketing, there has been a surge in the number of people (freelancers) offering their services independently. At a glance, it seems like a great option; you’re working with someone who claims to be an expert and can do everything from website design to SEO to social media marketing — that sounds like a steal, huh?
The reality is that while there are some benefits to working with (or as) a one-person show for your business, it may not be the best option if you’re serious about enhancing your digital footprint. Here’s why:
You’re limited to one person’s skill set.
When you work with a one-person show, you’re limited to that person’s skills and knowledge. While most freelancers are specialists in one area, they’re likely not as well-rounded as a team of experts. Therefore, letting a single person can limit the effectiveness of your digital marketing campaigns.
The limited work capacity of the one-person show is another potential drawback. One person can only do so much, so if you have a large project or campaign (which typically requires a variety of roles to fill in), it may take them longer to complete it – which could cost you more in the long run.
Reliability can become an issue.
Since you’re working with just one person, they’re more likely to get sick, go on vacation, or take on too many clients and get overwhelmed. These scenarios can lead to project delays and a lack of communication.
Unexpected accidents and emergencies happen all the time, but if something happens to that person you depend on with everything, you’ll be left in a tough spot. With a one-person show, you are constantly at risk of having to start your search for a new digital marketing partner from scratch and go through the onboarding process again. In addition, building a working relationship with a freelancer may create more of a challenge than is worth for your project schedule.
You’ll likely pay more in the long run.
Hiring a freelancer can save you money if you have a small project requiring specific expertise. On the other hand, for bigger projects or marketing initiatives that need multiple disciplines, working with several freelancers may actually end up costing more than if you had hired an agency from the outset.
While one-person shows may claim to have a lot of experience, they don’t have the same amount of expertise that a full-service digital marketing agency can offer. The chances of you having to perform things repeatedly or hire someone else to repair their mistakes are very high — there’s a reason why some of us digital agencies are called “clean-up crews” (*winks).
A full-service digital marketing agency has a trained team of professionals with years of combined experience. They know what works and what doesn’t, avoiding costly errors. In addition, some one-person shows may charge more to cover their overhead costs.
DIYs don’t cut it, either.
You may wonder why we didn’t include so much about DIYs — it’s simple! If you’re serious about your business and want to succeed in the digital world, doing it all yourself is not an option. You’re better off focusing on running your business, as trying to do everything on your own will spread you too thin and cost you the most precious resource: time.
It’s important to understand that digital marketing covers various activities and strategies, including website design and development, SEO, social media marketing, etc. To be successful, you need to have a deep understanding of how all these pieces work together.
And unless you’re a digital marketing expert yourself, chances are you won’t be able to do it all on your own (and even if you could, would you really want to?). It’s essential to have a team of experts in your corner who can help you navigate the ever-changing digital marketing landscape.
What It Means To Work With A Full-Service Digital Marketing Agency
A full-service digital marketing agency provides a comprehensive suite of services that cover all aspects of online marketing. The services include everything from website design and development to SEO, PPC, social media, email marketing, and more.
Working with a digital marketing agency gives you immediate access to an entire team of specialists. Each team member has their focused region of expertise that they bring to the table for every project, meaning your company can explore every possible angle of digital marketing and execute every campaign to its fullest extent.
Tasks like website building, design, and maintenance, as well as Search Engine Optimization, marketing, and social media engagements, need a lot of attention to achieve positive outcomes. These activities usually take months of continuous effort before you can see real-world results.
Another advantage is that a full-service agency has the resources to invest in your campaign to produce high-quality content, run effective ads, track your progress over time, and present monthly reports for transparency! You can also expect exact deadlines on projects and follow-throughs without worrying about sick days!
A great marketing agency will provide ongoing support and guidance even after a project has been completed. This helps to ensure that their work continues to produce results and that your company is always up-to-date on the latest digital marketing trends.
In reality, not one person can handle all these without compromising quality, accuracy, and speed. Online marketing is especially vulnerable to fading into the background if you don’t stay ahead of the curve.
At AD-IOS Digital Marketing Co., you’ll get access to a team of experts who can help you create an effective online presence, reach your target audience, and achieve your business goals. We provide a wide range of services and content to ensure you get your message across all platforms, including graphic design, web development, digital marketing, and full-stack — we have you fully covered!
Contact us today if you’re ready to invest in a full-service digital marketing agency. We’d be happy to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you reach your business goals.
