From DIY to Team Power: How to Know if It’s Time to Work with a Marketing Team
If you're part of a small business or team with one go-to marketing person wearing all the hats, this might sound familiar: They're juggling social posts, editing the website, brainstorming campaign ideas, sending newsletters, checking SEO, and designing graphics, all while trying to keep it cohesive. Sometimes, that same person is also expected to be the strategist! And sometimes, that person...is you.
And we totally get it. Because sometimes, when your business is just getting off the ground and budgets are tight, keeping it simple is what makes the most sense.
But what happens when the business grows? What happens when you're no longer just trying to get visibility and traction, but you're ready to take things to the next level?
This is where many small teams hit a familiar roadblock. The growth feels exciting, but the workload becomes overwhelming. And if your marketing to-do list is starting to drain more energy than it creates, it might be time to explore what it could look like to bring in outside support from a specialized team.
Not because you and your team can't do it all. But because maybe you shouldn't.
The Signs You Might Be Outgrowing the DIY Approach
You don't need a complete rebrand or a six-figure budget to know it's time to shift. Here are a few telltale signs your current in-house approach may be maxed out:
You're always behind on marketing tasks. Your social posts are inconsistent. Your email list is quiet. You have half-finished blogs sitting in Google Docs.
You're doing things just to get them done. Instead of asking what works best, you're defaulting to what's fastest or most familiar. Strategy takes a backseat to survival.
You're avoiding updates that could help you grow. You know your website needs a refresh. You know your content doesn't reflect who you are anymore. But you keep pushing it off because you don't have the time (or brain space).
You're stuck in a loop of reaction, not intention. You post only when you have something to sell. You email your list when you remember. Your messaging changes depending on your mood or how busy you are.
You feel burnt out by your own brand. This one hits hard. If your business doesn't feel like you anymore, or if it's just become another obligation, that's your cue.
Why an Outside Team Might Be the Solution
Working with an outside marketing team doesn't mean giving up control or losing your brand identity. It doesn't mean your in-house marketing approach is failing, either. What it can mean is building the kind of support system that lets you and your team do what they do best, without being stretched so thin that nothing gets done the way it should.
We're talking about the kind of support that comes from people who specialize in specific areas—and can give it the time, energy, and insight that you no longer have the capacity for. The kind of support from those who can see opportunities you may not even realize you're missing.
Here are a few of the biggest benefits:
You get actual specialists. Instead of being "just okay" at everything, you get people who are really good at their one thing, such as content strategy, social media, email marketing, or brand design.
You can scale with intention. A team helps you make strategic decisions based on your goals, not just your capacity.
You regain your energy. When you're not constantly doing things outside your zone of genius, you get to focus on what lights you up again.
You build consistency across channels. Whether it's messaging, visuals, or tone, a team can help your brand feel cohesive everywhere.
You stop reacting and start planning. Strategy becomes the norm, not a luxury. You get to think ahead.
Keeping it 100%: There Are Mindset Shifts Involved.
But we're going to keep it honest with you (because we know from experience): Hiring a team or even working with an agency isn't just a logistical move. It's an emotional one, too. If you've built your business from the ground up, letting others touch your brand can feel scary.
You might wonder:
Will they get it?
Will they change too much?
Will it still feel like me?
And these are all valid questions. But here's the truth:
A good marketing team isn't trying to change you. They're trying to amplify you: your voice, your mission, and your value, with more clarity and consistency. And if your business is evolving (as it should be), your brand will evolve too. That's not a loss of identity. Its growth.
So... Is It Time to Bring in a Team?
If you're not sure, ask yourself:
What would it feel like to not carry the whole marketing load in-house?
What could we create with more time and less stress?
What part of our marketing feels like a chore, and who could take that off our plate?
Are there opportunities we're not pursuing simply because we don't have the capacity?
If you're still on the fence, there's nothing wrong with starting small. You don't need to hire a full team overnight. Maybe it's bringing in a strategist to audit your content, or a designer to refresh your brand visuals. Maybe it's outsourcing just your social media captions or newsletters.
And if it gives you everything that you didn't know you were missing? Then you build from there.
A Few Action Steps to Help You Decide
If you're ready to get clear on what support you need, here are a few things you can do this week:
List all the marketing tasks you and your team are currently handling. Be honest. Include everything from scheduling Instagram posts to editing blogs to creating Canva graphics.
Note what you enjoy, what you're good at, and what drains you. This will help you see where your internal strengths lie, and where you might want to bring in outside help.
Revisit your current business goals. What kind of visibility or marketing output would help get you there faster?
Think about capacity, not just cost. Ask yourself: Is trying to save money costing us growth?
Talk to someone who's made the shift. Whether it's another business owner or a small team like ours, hearing real stories can help ease the uncertainty.
The Grit and Glimmer Takeaway
You don't have to be everywhere, do everything, or figure it all out on your own. At some point, growth means letting go of the idea that doing everything in-house is always the best (or most sustainable) option.
It doesn't make you less capable. It makes you a more strategic team.
And if you're ready to explore what working with a small but mighty marketing team could look like, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how collaborative, empowering, and energizing it can really be.
Your brand deserves the kind of support that not only gets you noticed but also gives you space to lead, dream, and grow.
So the next time you and your team find yourself juggling 10 marketing hats, maybe ask: What could change if we only wore the ones that truly fit?
