Why you should hire a marketing agency

By Cap Puckhaber | Black Diamond Marketing Solutions

When I first started working with small businesses after two decades at Amazon, I was shocked at how many entrepreneurs were doing everything themselves—especially their marketing. This often led me to suggest they hire a marketing agency to handle their promotional needs.

I get it. You launched your business to solve a problem, to serve your community, maybe even to escape corporate life. But then somewhere along the way, you found yourself also managing Facebook ads, fiddling with your website’s SEO, writing email newsletters, and wondering whether TikTok is worth it.

Here’s the kicker: you’re not alone—but you might be falling behind.

Recent data shows that only 61% of small businesses work with a marketing agency or outside expert. That means nearly 4 out of 10 are still trying to go it alone.

Let’s talk about what that actually means—and what it could be costing you.

The Stats That Should Make You Rethink DIY Marketing

According to multiple industry reports, about 37% of small businesses outsource at least one business process. That might be accounting, payroll, or IT. But when it comes to digital marketing? Just 34% hand it off to experts.

Interestingly, another survey found that 61% of businesses are using agency support for marketing. That leaves a solid 39%—millions of small businesses—still flying solo.

You might be thinking, “So what? I know my business better than anyone. I’ve got Canva, Mailchimp, and ChatGPT—I can handle this.”

Sure, you can. But the better question is: should you?

Here’s What Happens When You Do Everything Yourself

You spend hours each week trying to learn Instagram Reels, testing Google Ads, or tweaking your website copy—and still feel unsure whether it’s working. That nagging doubt isn’t just in your head. Studies show that 37% of marketing spend is wasted when businesses don’t have a clear strategy, proper tracking, or the bandwidth to optimize campaigns consistently.

To be blunt: you’re pouring effort into marketing that might never pay off.

Now, compare that to working with a team that eats, sleeps, and breathes marketing. When you bring in an agency with the right tools and experience, that waste drops significantly. Some reports estimate it’s closer to 15–20%. That’s a massive improvement in ROI—especially if your budget is tight.

Here’s the reality: you can’t afford inefficient marketing in today’s economy.

Why Do So Many Business Owners Avoid Agencies?

Let’s be honest for a minute. Most of the business owners I work with weren’t anti-agency—they were just nervous. Some had tried working with an agency years ago and felt burned. Others assumed it was too expensive. A few were worried about losing control of their brand voice.

All fair concerns. But things have changed.

There’s a new wave of boutique agencies, freelancers, and marketing consultants who specialize in small businesses. They’re not charging Fortune 500 retainers. They’re often former in-house pros (like me) who genuinely want to help small companies win.

More importantly, these partnerships aren’t about giving up control—they’re about getting time and focus back.

Picture This: A Tale of Two Businesses

Let’s take a simple example. Imagine two coffee shop owners—Jessica and Mike.

Jessica handles everything herself. She built her website with a template, runs ads when she remembers, and posts on social media whenever she gets a free moment. She’s smart and hardworking, but always stretched thin.

Mike, on the other hand, hires a small marketing agency to help with SEO, weekly email campaigns, and managing online reviews. He still reviews everything and gives input—but he doesn’t do the legwork.

Fast forward six months. Mike is showing up higher on Google, getting more foot traffic, and has time to launch a seasonal event series that drives even more customers.

Jessica is still spinning plates.

See the difference?

So What’s the Catch?

Working with an agency isn’t magic. It requires onboarding, communication, and trust. You’ll need to be clear about your goals and stay engaged—but the heavy lifting? That’s no longer on your plate.

Cost is also a factor. But consider this: hiring a full-time junior marketer could run you $50–70K/year. Most small businesses can find agency support for a fraction of that—often with better results.

Of course, not every agency is a good fit. Some are built for eCommerce. Others focus on local service businesses. Some charge flat monthly retainers, others work on project basis or ad spend percentage.

The key is finding one that understands your business, your budget, and your goals.

A Balanced Strategy: Don’t Fire Yourself—Just Get Help

Some of my most successful clients take a hybrid approach. They keep certain tasks in-house—like responding to customer DMs or capturing real-time stories—and outsource things like paid ads, SEO, email campaigns, or branding.

This allows them to stay authentic while gaining back time, increasing their marketing velocity, and improving overall results.

Think of it like this: you don’t do your own taxes anymore (right?). Why treat marketing differently?

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been hesitant to partner with a marketing agency, now’s the time to reconsider. The data is clear: businesses that get expert help grow faster, waste less, and stress less.

That 39% of businesses doing it all themselves? Many are stuck. Overworked, under-optimized, and missing out on simple wins that an outside partner could deliver in half the time.

So ask yourself: Am I marketing smart—or just marketing hard?

If you’re not sure, it might be time to talk to someone who can help.

Let’s Talk

At Black Diamond Marketing Solutions, I work with small business owners like you to simplify, streamline, and scale your marketing. No fluff. Just real results—and a partner who cares.

Book a free 30-minute consult. No pressure. No jargon. Just honest insight from someone who’s been there.

About the Author
Cap Puckhaber is the founder of Black Diamond Marketing Solutions and former Head of Growth for Audible and Amazon’s digital media division. Now he helps small businesses cut through the noise and build marketing that works. Read more at BlackDiamondMarketingSolutions.com.

Why 39% of Small Businesses Avoid Marketing Agencies — And the Smart Reasons You Shouldn’t