Marketing – Should you DIY or Hire an Expert?

| October 12, 2015

Marketing – Should you DIY or Hire an Expert?

When you run a business, you want customers to know of your existence. You want people to purchase your products and to see that they’re on par, if not better, than your competitors. However, getting your name out there isn’t as easy as it sounds. We live in an era of intense competition and almost all areas of business are overcrowded. So how do you stand out?

Smart, targeted marketing is the only way. There are two ways to go about it. You can handle all your marketing yourself or hire a marketer. Both options have their merits but which one is right for you? Consider the following points:

How comfortable are you with marketing?

If you’re considering DIY marketing, you’ve already looked into the various practices in use today. You need to be skilled in SEO, SMM, Content Marketing, Video Marketing, PPC, CPC, PLA etc. If you are very interested in these concepts and are fascinated by how they work, you’ll most likely learn how to market your products eventually.

However, if they baffle you, irritate you, or go over your head, you should consider hiring a professional. If you’re not comfortable with marketing, don’t force yourself to do it just to save some money. You’ll end up making mistakes that would only lead to loss of money.

Do you understand the market?

Do you understand the market and your target audience? Are you aware of their habits, of the latest trends in your industry? Do you have enough knowledge to seek out the most effective keywords for your content? You need to ask yourself these questions. If you’re willing to put in the effort and try, you’ll eventually learn how to efficiently implement the modern marketing techniques.

However, if you’re a complete novice in the field, you’ll be better off hiring a professional and observing how they handle your marketing first. You can learn from observation and eventually take over the process.

Do you have the time?

One of the worst habits of new entrepreneurs and business owners is to take on too many duties. If you’re already handling product development or working on a project, you need to focus on that. An entrepreneur should always focus on the product or the service their business provides first. No amount of marketing would make up for poor quality product or service.

If you don’t have the time, let professionals handle the marketing while you focus on more important aspects of your business.

Are you comfortable with all the technology involved?

Digital marketing requires a surprising amount of IT knowledge. It’s not strict coding or programming, but you do have to deal with things like AdWords, Merchant Centre, Comparison Search Engines, etc. These aspects of marketing tend to intimidate business owners.

If you have the understanding, skill, and patience to handle marketing, DIY might be for you. However, if you don’t, it’s a good idea to invest in a professional. Start looking by browsing through the Hotfrog UK Marketer page if you want to hire a marketer. You’re sure to find someone that addresses your needs.