Many small businesses handle marketing internally, often by inexperienced and unqualified staff to try to save the expense of outsourcing to a digital marketing expert or agency. This approach might work for a while, you will eventually need to up your marketing game.
As your business grows, new marketing strategies and opportunities can help generate more or better quality sales leads and boost brand awareness.
In business, it’s clear that having a marketing strategy is an important part of growing a business successfully. But the question is, should you do it yourself or hire an agency?
It’s not always obvious when you should get an expert to help with your marketing plan, so we’ve created a helpful list of signs to look out for.
1. Your current efforts are inconsistent
One of the most obvious signs that you need to up your marketing game is when you're not consistent. Maybe you've been running ads, posting lots one week and not much the next or sending a flurry of emails, but you're not seeing the leads or sales that you had hoped for. Or maybe your website traffic is stagnant, and no one seems to be engaging with your content.
If this is the case, it's time to bring in the professionals, it's most likely that you don’t have a clear strategy in place as well as the time to do a great job. A marketing agency has the expertise to analyse your current efforts, identify areas for improvement, and create a plan so that it’s easy to be consistent. Ginger provides regular reports so we can track your progress and adjust your strategy as needed.
2. You aren’t bringing in the sales
As a small business owner, we know you wear many hats. And while marketing is important, it's likely not to be your only priority. If you're short on time, it might be difficult to give your marketing the attention it deserves.
That's when a marketing agency can be a lifesaver. They'll take on the responsibility of creating and executing your marketing strategy, freeing up your time to focus on other areas of your business. Plus, they'll likely be able to move faster than you would on your own, since they have a team of experts at their disposal. At Ginger we also use our vast network of connections to form partnerships and collaborations to create quality leads and opportunities.
3. You don’t know much about marketing
Marketing has become increasingly complex, with new trends and technologies emerging all the time. If you don't have the right expertise in-house, it can be difficult to keep up. That’s our job!
Of course, you can have success handling your digital marketing in-house with the right knowledge and skills on your team. However, at some point, every business should consider whether an agency would help generate more leads and be more cost-effective.
We have a team of experts who specialise in different areas of marketing. From social media to SEO to email marketing, we can create a comprehensive strategy that targets all the crucial areas of your business. Ginger ensures we have a deep understanding of your target audience, and how to reach them effectively.
Digital marketing has become the dominant force in modern-day marketing strategies. The skills required for an effective digital marketing strategy are unique and require expertise in things like:
Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Social media and the various platforms
Graphic design
Web design and development
Metric analytics
Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
Digital advertising
And this is not an exhaustive list. If you or your team lack some of these skills, that’s ok. That’s why we exist, and it’s the first sign that it’s time to start working with one!
4. You don’t know how to define your brand
Don't underestimate the significance of your business's branding. While it may appear that your brand is composed solely of logos and colours, it encompasses much more. In fact, your brand represents the entire identity and essence of your business. It is what breathes life into your organisation, giving it a unique personality that resonates with your audience.
When it comes to defining your business brand, a marketing agency will help get your business seen. Ginger understands the importance of brand awareness, we can elevate your brand to new heights. From crafting visually captivating elements to developing a compelling brand narrative, we ensure your message resonates with your target audience. Harnessing the power of influencers and forming strategic partnerships, Ginger amplifies your brand's reach, creating meaningful connections and driving impactful results.
We can also advise you as to which events to be seen at and create innovative campaigns to make a lasting impression.
5. You don’t have a marketing budget
We know that managing no or a very limited budget can make it incredibly challenging for you to grow your business, but by partnering with a marketing agency, you'll have the resources and all expertise you need to scale your marketing efforts effectively. Perhaps you’ve spent money on sponsorship, branding and design work, or dabbled in ads it's not paid off. You might feel stuck and want to take your business to the next level, then you’re going to have to invest. And we're not just saying that, but if you think it's expensive to hire the professionals to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur. The time and mess can be a costly mistake.
Don’t lose hope, not only does Ginger create and implement one off marketing tasks but you can spread the cost throughout the year and implement multiple marketing tasks, saving you time and helping bring some long-term consistency to your business. And consistency in marketing plays a crucial role in establishing a strong and impactful brand presence, building trust and getting sales.
If any of these signs sound familiar, it's time to start considering a marketing agency like Ginger. By partnering with an agency, you'll be able to take your marketing to the next level, and generate the results you need to grow your business.