When to Outsource Your Marketing vs. Hire In-house (The Hidden Costs Revealed)

As a small business owner, you’re constantly juggling priorities—sales, operations, customer service, and yes, marketing. But when should you handle marketing in-house, and when does it make more sense to outsource?

The truth? Many businesses underestimate the hidden costs of hiring in-house marketers—salaries, benefits, training, software subscriptions, and the opportunity cost of diverting focus from core business functions. On the other hand, outsourcing marketing to a specialized agency (like Twenty32) can provide expertise, scalability, and cost-efficiency—without the long-term commitment.

Let’s break it down.

The Real Cost of Hiring an In-House Marketing Team

1. Salaries & Benefits Add Up Quickly

Hiring a full-time marketing specialist in Canada can cost $60,000–$100,000+ per year (depending on experience). Add benefits (healthcare, retirement, bonuses), and you’re looking at a six-figure investment—before they even start running campaigns.

Scenario: Imagine you own a mid-sized accounting firm. You hire a marketing manager at $75,000/year. After benefits and taxes, that’s closer to $90,000. Could that money be better spent on lead generation, automation tools, or even outsourced experts who deliver measurable ROI?

2. Training & Turnover Are Expensive

Marketing trends change fast. If your in-house hire isn’t upskilling constantly, your strategies become outdated. And if they leave? You’re back to square one—spending time and money re-hiring and re-training.

Scenario: Your e-commerce store’s social media manager quits after six months. Now you’re scrambling to find a replacement while engagement drops. An agency, however, has a team of specialists—no single point of failure.

3. Software & Tools Drain Your Budget

Marketing requires tools—email platforms (Mailchimp, HubSpot), SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush), design software (Canva, Adobe), and analytics (Google Analytics, Meta Ads). Individually, these cost $50–$500/month each. An agency already has these tools and spreads the cost across clients.

Scenario: You spend $300/month on marketing software. Over a year, that’s $3,600—just for access. An agency includes these in their service fee.

Why Outsourcing Marketing Makes More Sense for SMEs

1. Access to a Full Team of Experts (For Less Than One Salary)

Agencies like Twenty32 provide strategists, designers, copywriters, and ad specialists—all for a fraction of the cost of a single full-time employee.

Forbes Agency Council notes:

"Outsourcing gives businesses access to top-tier talent without the overhead of full-time hires."

2. Scalability Without the Headaches

Need a seasonal campaign? Scaling up for Black Friday? An agency can ramp up efforts instantly. Hiring internally means recruitment delays or paying someone year-round for seasonal work.

3. Proven Strategies That Work

Agencies live and breathe marketing. They’ve tested what works across industries and can avoid costly trial-and-error that drains your budget.

As Ketchup Marketing highlights:

"Outsourcing ensures you’re not reinventing the wheel—agencies bring tested frameworks that drive results."

4. Focus on What You Do Best

Your strength is running your business—not mastering Google Ads or SEO. Outsourcing lets you focus on growth while experts handle lead generation.

When Does In-House Marketing Make Sense?

There are cases where in-house marketing works:

• Large corporations with massive, ongoing campaigns.

• Businesses with very niche needs requiring full-time oversight.

• Companies with deep budgets to hire (and retain) top talent.

But for most SMEs? Outsourcing is the smarter play.

How Twenty32 Can Help (Beyond Just Marketing)

At Twenty32, we don’t just handle marketing—we help SMEs streamline operations, improve bookkeeping, and scale efficiently.

Why Partner With Us?

Cost-effective marketing (no six-figure salaries)

Full-service expertise (SEO, ads, content, social media)

Transparent reporting (know exactly where your money goes)

Accounting & financial insights (so you can reinvest wisely)

The Bottom Line: If you’re spending more time managing marketing than growing your business, it’s time to outsource.

The Smart Business Owner’s Choice

Hiring in-house seems safe—until you see the real costs. Outsourcing gives you flexibility, expertise, and measurable growth—without the long-term risks.

Ready to stop wasting money on ineffective marketing? Let’s talk.