The Rise in External Marketing
Traditionally, most organisations have a marketing department – an entire team dedicated to campaigns, content creation, market research, and more. This is the case for many companies, but with complex market factors such as remote working, specialised talent, and tight budgets, a more cost-effective and flexible alternative is emerging.
The Government reports that at the beginning of 2023, there were 5.6 million SMEs in the UK. Compared to the previous year, this marked an increase of 0.8%, or 46,000 new businesses. Many of these new companies may lack the funds to invest months in the recruitment process, especially when filling multiple roles. This diverts time, energy, and resources from projects vital for generating revenue and sustaining the business. As a result, traditional marketing teams are evolving. Statista reveals that in a 2024 survey of 3,000 UK marketers, 46% of organisations stated that they outsourced elements of their marketing – a trend that may continue to grow.
The Key Benefits of Working with an External Marketing Firm
So, why are more organisations moving away from in-house marketing? Here are key reasons why working with an external marketing team could be a better fit for growing businesses.
Long-Term Expenses
It can be difficult to gauge exactly what your marketing team needs. You may only have a few projects, then find yourself unsure of how to keep your marketers engaged with enough work to justify a full-time role. With external resources, you can scale your team up or down as needed – hiring during busy months and scaling back during quieter times. This approach means you’re only paying for marketing support on a short-term basis, compared to the ongoing costs of a permanent hire. Rising industry-standard salaries can also make this a cost-saving choice in the long term. Furthermore, companies are increasingly assessing headcounts for operational efficiency. Some are reducing their workforce while still needing extra team members during busy periods. This makes flexible marketing support a cost-effective solution.
Training
Do you have enough time to train and onboard every new hire? For a new business just starting out, hiring an experienced marketing specialist may not be financially feasible. Entry-level hires, however, require essential training, which can be time-consuming and costly – especially if funding training courses or programmes is required. Working with a marketing firm gives you access to qualified specialists with the expertise to start projects immediately, saving time and resources.
Agility
Sometimes, despite a great deal of time and energy invested in hiring, a new employee may not work out as expected. Legal and contractual obligations can make termination and rehiring challenging. External marketing firms offer flexibility, allowing you to have the right talent on your team without the need for long-term contracts.
How Can MiStone Help You?
MiStone is a marketing organisation based in the heart of Bath, specialising in helping SMEs implement effective marketing strategies. Acting as an extension of your marketing team, we provide executives who can manage your campaigns on a weekly basis. With expertise in campaign management, marketing automation, and content creation, we have a proven track record of delivering results for clients across various industries. Why not find out more today? Contact us to discover how we can make your marketing ideas a reality.
