Should You Hire a Marketing Agency or Run Ads Yourself?

If you run a service business and want more enquiries, you have likely asked this question:

Should I hire a marketing agency, or should I just run ads myself?

On the surface, doing it yourself seems cheaper. In reality, the decision usually comes down to time, consistency, and risk.

In this guide, we break down the real differences between hiring a marketing agency and running ads yourself, so you can make the right call for your business.

Why many service business owners try to do it themselves

Most business owners start with DIY marketing for understandable reasons.

Common motivations include:

• Saving money

• Wanting control

• Believing ads are simple to set up

Platforms like Facebook and Google make advertising look easy. A few clicks, a budget, and you are live.

What they do not show is everything that happens after the ad is turned on.

What running ads yourself actually involves

Running ads is not just about launching a campaign.

To do it properly, you need to:

• Choose the right platform

• Write effective ad copy

• Create strong creatives

• Build or manage landing pages

• Track conversions correctly

• Follow up with every lead

• Optimise campaigns regularly

For service businesses, this work sits on top of:

• Delivering jobs

• Managing staff

• Answering calls

• Running day to day operations

This is where DIY often breaks down.

The hidden cost of doing it yourself

The biggest cost of DIY marketing is rarely ad spend. It is time and lost opportunities.

Common issues include:

• Ads running but not converting

• Leads coming in with no follow up

• Wasted spend from poor targeting

• Giving up too early due to frustration

Many business owners stop ads not because they do not work, but because they never had a system behind them.

What a marketing agency actually does differently

A good marketing agency does more than manage ads.

For service businesses, a proper agency provides:

• Strategy, not just campaigns

• Systems for lead capture and follow up

• Ongoing optimisation

• Clear reporting and accountability

Instead of guessing, decisions are based on data.

When running ads yourself can make sense

DIY marketing can work in some situations.

It may be a good option if:

• You have plenty of spare time

• You enjoy learning marketing

• You are comfortable testing and failing

• Lead volume is not critical

For early-stage businesses with low pressure, this can be acceptable.

When hiring a marketing agency makes sense

Hiring an agency is usually the better choice when:

• You want predictable enquiries

• Your time is better spent delivering work

• Missed leads cost you real money

• You want systems, not experiments

For busy service business owners, outsourcing marketing often creates a better return, even if it looks more expensive upfront.

The difference between an ad manager and a growth partner

Not all agencies are the same.

Some agencies:

• Only manage ads

• Do not handle follow up

• Leave conversion to chance

A growth-focused partner looks at the whole system:

• Ads

• Landing pages

• CRM automation

• Missed calls

• Appointment booking

This is where real results come from.

Why systems matter more than who runs the ads

Whether you run ads yourself or hire an agency, the system matters more than the person.

Without:

• Proper landing pages

• Fast follow up

• Lead tracking

ads struggle no matter who is running them.

With systems in place, even modest budgets can perform well.

How to decide what is right for your business

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to learn marketing or run my business?

• How much does a missed enquiry cost me?

• Do I want predictable growth or occasional wins?

• Am I confident I can manage this consistently?

Your answers usually make the decision clear.

Want an honest opinion on what makes sense for you?

If you are unsure whether to hire a marketing agency or keep things in house, a Growth Plan Call will give you clarity.

We look at:

• Your business model

• Your goals

• Your current lead flow

If it makes sense to work together, we will explain how. If not, we will tell you that too.

No pressure. Just straight answers.

Book a Growth Plan Call and make the right growth decision for your business.