Starting a Business: Should You Handle Digital Marketing Yourself or Outsource?

In a recent episode of the Launching Pros Podcast, the hosts explored a key challenge for entrepreneurs starting their businesses: deciding whether to handle digital marketing themselves or outsource it. This decision can significantly impact how effectively and efficiently you grow your business.

Below is a detailed summary of the discussion, along with actionable insights for new business owners.

The Key Factors: Time, Desire, and Bandwidth

When starting a business, the hosts emphasized that three critical factors should guide your decision to manage digital marketing yourself or outsource it:

Time:

Do you have enough time to dedicate to learning and implementing digital marketing strategies? Tasks like SEO, social media management, and email marketing require consistent effort and attention.

Desire:

Are you genuinely interested in learning digital marketing? If it feels like a chore or something you dread, it might not be the best use of your energy.

Bandwidth:

Beyond time, do you have the mental and emotional capacity to take on another major responsibility while managing other aspects of your business? If not, outsourcing could help you avoid burnout.

If you lack any of these three—time, desire, or bandwidth—it may make sense to explore outsourcing options so that you can focus on other areas of your business where you add the most value.

Outsourcing When Revenue Is Limited

For many startups, budget constraints can make outsourcing seem out of reach. However, the podcast hosts shared creative solutions for this challenge:

Profit Sharing Agreements:

Instead of paying upfront for services like website design or SEO, you could negotiate a profit-sharing arrangement with freelancers or agencies. This means they get a percentage of your revenue in exchange for their work.

Ownership Structures:

Another option is offering equity in your business as compensation. For example, a web designer or marketer might agree to work in exchange for partial ownership in your company.

These alternatives can be appealing for startups that don’t yet have sufficient cash flow but need expert help to grow. However, the hosts strongly advised consulting with a licensed business attorney before entering into any profit-sharing or ownership agreements. Such arrangements come with both advantages and disadvantages that need to be carefully considered.

Learning Digital Marketing vs. Outsourcing

The hosts also discussed the pros and cons of learning digital marketing yourself versus outsourcing:

Learning It Yourself:

If you have the time and desire, learning digital marketing can save money and give you greater control over your brand.

However, it requires significant effort to stay updated on trends like AI-driven tools and evolving algorithms.

Outsourcing:

If time is limited or digital marketing isn’t your passion, outsourcing allows you to focus on what you do best.

Start small by outsourcing specific tasks (e.g., social media management) rather than committing to a full-service agency right away.

Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs

To help entrepreneurs make informed decisions about handling digital marketing, the hosts provided these actionable tips:

Assess Your Resources:

Take an honest inventory of your time, desire, and bandwidth before deciding whether to manage digital marketing yourself.

Start Small:

If outsourcing feels overwhelming or expensive, begin by delegating one task at a time (e.g., hiring someone to optimize your website).

Be Creative with Compensation:

Consider profit-sharing or equity-based agreements if cash flow is tight—but always consult with a legal professional first.

Focus on ROI:

Whether you’re doing it yourself or outsourcing, prioritize strategies that deliver measurable results for your business.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business requires juggling multiple responsibilities, and deciding how to handle digital marketing is one of the most important early decisions you’ll face. By evaluating your time, desire, and bandwidth—and exploring creative compensation options—you can find an approach that works best for your unique situation. Whether you choose to learn digital marketing yourself or outsource it, remember that the ultimate goal is to position your business for sustainable growth while managing resources wisely.

Important Disclaimer

This discussion is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Before entering into any profit-sharing or ownership agreements—or making significant financial decisions—consult with a licensed business attorney to fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of these structures.