Chelsea Jarred
In today’s challenging economic climate, many brands are tempted to bring social media management in-house, believing it will cut costs. But is this a short-term gain that will ultimately lead to long-term losses?
As the economic landscape shifts, brands are feeling the pressure to tighten budgets and optimise resources. In this environment, the allure of handling social media management in-house is strong.
However, while the immediate savings may seem appealing, this decision often overlooks the significant long-term implications.
Social media is not just a channel for communication; it’s a vital component of brand strategy that requires expertise, scale, and foresight.
While internal teams may be adept at engaging a handful of influencers, an agency brings a different level of reach.
For example, where an in-house team may only have the bandwidth to manage relationships with 10-15 influencers, agencies can scale these efforts to reach hundreds.
And, when factoring in the time required for outreach, vetting, and managing these relationships, does your team truly have the capacity without experiencing burnout or losing focus on other important tasks?
The ability to efficiently manage influencer relationships at scale is where agencies shine, especially when you need quick, meaningful results.
Just because a brand’s social media channels are performing well doesn’t mean there isn’t untapped potential.
Agencies are deeply immersed in the latest data, trends, and best practices, providing the kind of insights that internal teams may not always have the time or resources to explore.
While in-house teams can handle day-to-day posting, agencies help ensure your brand's voice stays sharp and engaging, even when internal workloads increase. And when it comes to reaching new audiences or seizing timely opportunities, agencies have the agility and expertise to drive even greater results.
Tightening marketing budgets in tough times can feel like the only option, but history has shown that brands who invest during downturns often emerge stronger.
When the economy rebounds, who will be better positioned to scale and grow: the brand that maintained consistent, strategic communication, or the one that cut corners to save costs? The long-term cost of missing these opportunities could be far greater than any short-term savings.
Chelsea Jarred is the founder and director of full-service agency Grapevine.