By Lisa March, President & Founder, Partner in Publishing
Why choose an agency? In the expanding world of EdTech, the race for visibility and market dominance is more competitive than ever. For EdTech companies grappling with the challenge of staying ahead without overextending their budgets, the solution often lies in forming a strategic alliance with a specialized agency, such as Partner in Publishing (PIP). As the president of a leading digital marketing agency, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of expertly crafted digital marketing and branding strategies. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits for EdTech companies in choosing an agency partner versus a freelancer or full-time employee.
Agency vs. Freelancer
The allure of hiring freelancers, often perceived as a budget-friendly shortcut, masks underlying risks. Freelancers, while skilled, typically operate solo and may lack the comprehensive resources and multidisciplinary expertise that an agency brings to the table. This limitation can manifest in challenges with project management, quality control, and accountability. There also lies the issue of having to juggle multiple freelancers for various tasks, which can quickly become an administrative headache.
Contrast this with the cohesive force of an agency – a team of experienced professionals with diverse skill sets who are able to work together seamlessly. This ensures that the project is completed efficiently and to a high standard, without any bottlenecks or communication breakdowns.
Beyond just the execution, agencies provide strategic insights across a spectrum of areas including market research, SEO, and content strategy – areas where a solo freelancer might struggle to deliver scalable solutions. PIP stands as a testament to this comprehensive approach, offering a one-stop solution for all marketing and business development needs in the EdTech sector.
Agency vs. Full-Time Employee
Another option EdTech companies might consider is hiring a dedicated full-time employee to lead their digital marketing and branding strategies. However, this can be a costly and time-consuming process, especially when considering recruitment, training, and ongoing management costs. Additionally, a single employee may not have the breadth of knowledge and experience that a team of specialists can provide.
On the other hand, partnering with an agency allows companies to leverage a wide range of expertise without the burden of managing and overhead costs associated with a full-time employee. PIP’s team approach means EdTech companies can benefit from the knowledge, experience, and dedication of several experts from different disciplines, without having to pay benefits and other costs you would have with full-time employees. It’s no secret that fractional employment is becoming increasingly popular, especially during times of layoffs. In addition, the ability to tap into PIP’s wider network of contacts, resources, and technology can prove to be invaluable in terms of ROI, growth potential, and innovation.
Think Smarter, Not Harder
The dilemma of choosing the right team for your digital marketing efforts boils down to one key question: How can you maximize efficiency and innovation while keeping costs in check?
While there are several options when it comes to building a team to handle digital marketing and branding strategies for your EdTech company, partnering with an agency offers a range of benefits that freelancers and individual employees cannot deliver. PIP has the depth of experience and resources to help EdTech companies stay competitive and successful at an affordable cost.
As EdTech companies ponder their digital marketing strategies, the choice is clear: partnering with an experienced agency like PIP is not just a smart move, it’s a strategic imperative for sustainable growth and competitiveness.
About the Author
Lisa March, Founder and President of Partner In Publishing, is a well-known leader and innovator within the education, EdTech, and commercial consultancy space. She has grown PIP from a one-woman shop to a large team of managing partners, project managers, and associates. Lisa prides herself on her pioneering work with many of the world’s top brands in the K-12, higher education, and enterprise marketplaces. She works very closely with CEOs of EdTech startups and has been instrumental in helping our clients increase revenues and grow their brands.
