Should I Train a Marketing Team or Hire an Agency?
Reading Time: ~4 Mins | Written By: Rachel Dill
Deciding whether you should train and build your own marketing team or hire an outside agency to handle the strategy, content, and campaigns is one of the biggest decisions a growing business faces. Both routes can take you far, but the right answer really comes down to your goals, your resources, and where your business sits right now.
Let’s break down both options so you can make the call that feels right for your marketing.
Option 1: Training Your Own Marketing Team
Think of building an in-house team like starting your own garden. It takes patience and work, but when things start to grow, the results stick around and really become part of your company’s roots.
When you train your own team, you’re investing in people who already get your brand, your customers, and the way you work. Over time, these employees turn into true brand champions. Every campaign, every post, and every email is created by your team to make sure it all looks and sounds like you.
Pros:
Deep brand knowledge: No one will ever know your business as well as your own employees.
Long-term investment: Training builds internal expertise that strengthens over time.
Agility: Your team can pivot quickly without waiting for external approvals.
Cultural alignment: In-house teams can collaborate closely with sales, operations, and leadership, creating seamless communication.
Cons:
Time and cost: Hiring, onboarding, and training require a significant investment.
Skill gaps: Marketing evolves quickly. Without ongoing education, your team may struggle to keep up with new tools or algorithms.
Limited capacity: Smaller teams can be stretched thin when juggling multiple channels or large campaigns.
Where to Train Your Team
Structured bootcamps and online courses are an effective way to build marketing expertise within your team. Programs like our Digital Marketing Bootcamp provide hands-on, practical training in social media, SEO, email marketing, Google Ads, and growth strategy, letting your team work on real-world projects that apply directly to your business. In addition, we can provide dedicated training on specific topics and skill sets with your team through our customized corporate training. Other options include HubSpot Academy for inbound marketing and certifications, Coursera for flexible, skill-focused marketing courses, and platform-specific programs like Google Skillshop and Meta Blueprint for ads and social media management. These training options ensure your team stays current with marketing trends, gains practical skills, and applies them directly to your brand, turning learning into tangible business results.
Option 2: Hiring a Marketing Agency
If training a team feels like too much, hiring an agency can be like flipping on a light switch. You instantly gain access to an experienced crew with specialized skills across design, strategy, analytics, and advertising.
Agencies often bring the creative spark and technical know-how needed to elevate your brand quickly. They also come equipped with the tools, systems, and experience to hit the ground running with no onboarding required.
Pros:
Instant expertise: Tap into a team of specialists who know what works (and what doesn’t).
Fresh perspective: Agencies bring outside creativity and objective insights that can re-energize your brand.
Scalability: Whether you need a full-scale campaign or short-term support, agencies can adjust resources to fit your needs.
Efficiency: Agencies already have established workflows, saving your business time and effort.
Cons:
Less control: You’ll need to trust your agency to represent your brand accurately.
Potential disconnect: It can take time for external partners to fully understand your tone, customers, and culture.
Ongoing cost: Monthly retainers or project fees can add up, especially for smaller businesses.
Where to Look For An Agency
When searching for the right marketing agency, it’s important to verify both their work quality and their workplace culture:
Reviews from past clients: Check platforms like Clutch, UpCity, or Google Reviews to see feedback on their services, results, and professionalism.
Reviews from current and past employees: Sites like Glassdoor can reveal what it’s like to work at the agency. Satisfied employees often indicate a well-run agency capable of delivering high-quality work.
Doing your research upfront helps ensure you partner with an agency that not only meets your marketing needs but also aligns with your values and expectations.
So… Which Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick way to think about it:
If you value deep brand consistency and long-term growth, training your team might be your best move.
If you need immediate expertise and diverse skill sets, an agency can deliver results faster.
If you want the best of both worlds, consider a hybrid approach. Train your internal team for everyday marketing needs and partner with an agency for specialized projects, like large ad campaigns or website redesigns.
Many successful businesses do exactly that. They build strong in-house foundations through training, then collaborate with agencies to fill skill gaps and spark innovation.
No matter which path you choose, remember that marketing is an investment in understanding your audience and building connections that last. Whether you’re growing talent internally or leaning on expert partners, knowledge is the key to sustainable success.
✨ Ready to upskill your team?
Explore Jelly Academy’s Digital Marketing Bootcamp to help your team build real-world marketing skills and confidence!