How to Successfully Outsource Your Marketing

Is it time to outsource your marketing?

Many small business owners struggle to stay consistent with their marketing efforts because they simply run out of time.  When that becomes the case, I often suggest outsourcing all or portions of your marketing.Sounds easy right?  Not so fast.  Outsourcing your marketing can be a great weight off your back if you're prepared for it.  Here are 5 things you need to do to successfully outsource your marketing.

1. Choose Your Marketing Team Wisely

If you've read my posts before you know I am believer that not everyone can be "your people."  There may be some marketing providers out there that aren't a good fit for your business.  Before you decide who you are going to work with, talk to people!  Talk with several marketing providers.  Talk with your colleagues and see who they work with.  In order to successfully outsource your marketing, you need to like your team, believe in their abilities and trust they'll do what you need them to do.

2. Get a Marketing Plan in Place

Outsourcing your marketing will go much smoother if you have a plan in place.  Having a plan will keep everyone on the same page and accountable.  I suggest you work with the marketing person you plan to outsource with to come up with a plan that he or she can help you implement.

3. Assign Responsibilities

Once you have a plan in place, make sure it is clear who is responsible for what.  Go through your plan, month by month and decide who is going to handle specific tasks.

4. Be Prepared to Communicate

It's very difficult to be successful at outsourcing your marketing if you don't communicate with the person you're outsourcing to.  You need to be prepared to provide them with information.  You need to be prepared to respond to requests in a timely manner.  And you need to be prepared to initiate communication from time to time.  Outsourcing will not be successful if the marketer does not have the information they need to effective market your company.

5. Evaluate Regularly

Again this goes back to communication.  Review your efforts regularly and communicate with your marketing team if things aren't working.  They are only as good as the information they have.If you'd like to talk with Small Talk about outsourcing your marketing, contact us here.