Marketing is the lifeblood of any business. It’s how you attract customers, build your brand, and ultimately drive sales. But for many entrepreneurs and small business owners, the big question is: What marketing tasks should I handle myself, and which ones should I outsource?
The answer depends on factors like your skill set, budget, and available time. However, there are certain tasks that you can learn how to do yourself, or they are simple enough that you could pick up with minimal training or knowledge, while there are others that are just best left to the professionals for the best results. Let’s explore a practical guide to help you decide.
Marketing Tasks to Handle Yourself
Managing certain marketing tasks in-house can save costs, give you direct control, and allow for a more authentic connection with your audience. Some of the tasks you might be able to do yourself include:
- Social Media Engagement
Interacting with your audience on social platforms is something you can manage yourself, especially in the early stages. Responding to comments, answering questions, and sharing behind-the-scenes updates can build trust and authenticity. Tools like Hootsuite or Buffer can help streamline this process.
- Content Ideation
Who knows your business better than you? Generating ideas for blog posts, videos, or social media content ensures the message stays aligned with your brand voice. You can refine these ideas later with professional help if needed.
- Networking and Partnerships
Building relationships with local businesses, influencers, or complementary brands often works best when done personally. These connections are based on trust and mutual goals, which require your direct involvement.
- Email Marketing Campaigns
Platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact make it easy to create and send newsletters, promotional offers, or announcements. If you keep your lists segmented and campaigns simple, you can manage this effectively in-house.
- Analytics and Strategy Adjustment
Using tools like Google Analytics or social media insights, you can monitor the performance of your campaigns. While interpreting data may seem technical, learning the basics empowers you to make informed decisions.
Marketing Tasks to Outsource
The above five areas of marketing are all possible to do yourself, but certain aspects of marketing demand expertise, consistent effort, or significant time investment, making them ideal for outsourcing. This includes:
- Graphic Design and Branding
High-quality visuals are critical for a professional image. Logos, promotional materials, and website design should be entrusted to skilled designers. Their expertise ensures your brand stands out and maintains consistency. Particularly for brands using Amazon to sell their goods, having a high-end storefront is going to make a massive difference in securing more sales and growing the business. Experts like Nuanced Media can tell your brand’s story and help drive those sales because of their development techniques.
- Website Development and SEO
Your website is the cornerstone of your online presence. Hiring a developer to create a fast, user-friendly, and mobile-optimized site is worth the investment. Similarly, search engine optimization (SEO) is a complex field that is best left to professionals who can enhance your site’s visibility.
- Paid Advertising
Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and other paid campaigns require technical knowledge to maximize ROI. An experienced marketer can target your audience effectively and manage the campaigns for optimal results.
- Long-Form Content Creation
Blog writing, whitepapers, and eBooks can be time-intensive. Outsourcing these tasks to professional writers or agencies ensures high-quality, engaging content while freeing up your time.
- Video Production
Videos are powerful marketing tools, but producing professional-grade videos requires technical skills and equipment. Hiring a production team for advertisements, tutorials, or explainer videos is often the best choice.
Advice for Balancing In-House and Outsourced Marketing
First, you need to assess your strengths. Focus on tasks that align with your skills or can be learned quickly. If they can’t be learned quickly or you don’t have the skills, outsourcing is for the best. Even if you can expand your knowledge or know how to do something, there may come a day when it is impossible for you to manage. The advice here is to take on manageable tasks first and outsource complex activities as your business grows.
Another thing to consider is your budget. Do you have enough in your marketing budget to outsource everything? If not, prioritize the areas with the highest potential ROI. Finally, to ensure your outsourcing efforts are rewarded, you need to research and vet marketing agencies, freelancers, or contractors to ensure they align with your goals and values.
Conclusion
Knowing what marketing to do yourself and what to outsource is about playing to your strengths and recognizing when to delegate. By striking the right balance, you can save time, enhance your brand, and achieve greater success. Remember, outsourcing isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a strategic investment in your business’s growth.
