Managed marketing services

The problem with managed marketing services

If you are considering working with a marketing agency, you should also know the potential challenges this decision could bring. While we are an agency, and believe in the advantages of this approach, we know it isn’t right for every business.

In this article, we outline the common drawbacks of managed marketing and the problems you might face when working with an agency. If you are wondering which type of marketing is the most suitable solution for you, keep reading to find out what managed marketing is, and the pros and cons you should know. 

What is managed marketing?

Unlike traditional marketing, managed marketing is when a business outsources its marketing to a team of external marketing professionals. This most commonly involves working with an agency, which provides the business with a comprehensive range of services that can be customised to meet their specific goals. 

The business will commit to this agency on a retainer basis, with the agency developing a strategic content plan and delivering assets as needed. Rather than offering a standard package of services, managed marketing services take into account the unique needs of each business. 

Furthermore, the business can reach out to the agency for support at any time, resolving any issues quickly and taking on campaign opportunities as they arise. This allows you to focus on running your business without worrying about the complexities of your marketing efforts.

Pros of managed marketing

For most businesses, the benefits of managed marketing are well worth making the switch from traditional methods. If your team is time-poor or struggling to see results from your current marketing campaigns, enlisting the help of a specialised agency could be a wise next step. The key advantages of managed marketing include:

  • A marketing strategy aligned with your business goals
  • Increased flexibility
  • Effective use of resources
  • Enhanced progress tracking
  • Access to expertise and the latest marketing tools
  • More consistent workflows and scope

Cons of managed marketing

While managed marketing services bring a range of benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. To help you decide if this is the right approach for your business, we’ve outlined the key challenges below:

Not suited to small budgets

Since managed marketing services are managed on a retainer basis, managed marketing services may not be the most cost-effective option for startups and small businesses. In this case, paying per project could be more attainable. When your business expands and workflows become more consistent, managed marketing will be a more natural fit. 

An initial learning curve

As with any new partnership, there may be a learning curve as your internal team learns to collaborate with the external agency. This can result in some initial confusion but your agency will take steps to streamline this process. Unlike hiring contractors on a per-project basis, working with the same agency consistently means the adjustment period is a one-off. 

The agency may not understand the nuances of your business

To connect with your target audience and convert more customers, you need your marketing team to fully understand the nuances of your business and industry. If you work with an agency, these details can sometimes be overlooked. 

In saying that, most agencies will cover these details during their onboarding process and keep notes of anything you raise during the partnership. If you notice something has been missed, simply let them know and they can make adjustments. 

Reduces your role in the marketing process

The idea of managed marketing is to delegate tasks and save you time, while still generating high-quality marketing content. The agency will still need input from your internal team, but most of the responsibilities will be done for you.

While this is a benefit for most businesses, others prefer to maintain an in-house marketing team instead. This can help ensure consistency across content as it is produced by those with a deeper understanding of your business.

Limited flexibility

Managed marketing services often come with a fixed monthly scope or predefined packages. For established businesses, this is a helpful way to track progress and plan ahead but it can restrict the flexibility of your marketing strategy. 

If you prefer to work on one project at a time, consider speaking to your managed marketing agency about your options. At Vanguard 86, we offer several services without locking you into a long-term contract, such as HubSpot onboarding, strategy days, or website development. Contact us today to find out how this could work for you.

Less room for additional activities 

Unless pre-agreed, ad-hoc activities may be outside the scope of your managed marketing service. If an opportunity arises that your business wants to take advantage of, your agency may not have the capacity to deliver it. 

However, most managed marketing agencies are conscious that market conditions are constantly evolving and will account for this in your overarching marketing plans. If you want to reorganise your content to fit something else in, discuss this with your agency as soon as possible. 

Managed marketing tailored to your business goals

At Vanguard 86 we offer full-service digital marketing management on the HubSpot platform to help you achieve your business goals. If you need more time to focus on running your company, why not enlist the help of marketing experts? We can take care of everything so you get the results you’re looking for. 

Each month, our team of specialists completes the following: 

  • Develop strategic overarching marketing plans every three months
  • Develop strategic monthly marketing plans detailing assets and goals
  • Create assets to attract and convert leads into customers. 
  • Manage your social media content, blog, and email marketing
  • Monitor your website traffic, conversion rates, and search engine rankings
  • Produce monthly reports on campaign results

Looking for marketing support you can rely on? Contact us to find out how we can help.  

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Why you should use managed marketing services