Startups, Can you really outsource marketing?

I usually am in favor of outsourcing because it ensures quality and timely completion of the outsourced need (obviously keeping in mind that the outsourcing company is trustworthy). Therefore, I completely agree with Mr. Bhave and Ms. Gupta that marketing too can be outsourced.

Though a core function, every business requires a specific kind of marketing and hence, it should be left to the experts. I agree it can be costly but this is where the priorities can be set with external consulting and help. Once this is done, and once your initial goal is achieved (say, your product developed) then you can focus on marketing yourself!

I agree with you Veena. Effective marketing requires time, energy and focus. Most of the times marketing technics are time consuming and labor intensive.  So finding a market,preparing brochure,design and update of website etc is time consuming. Time is valuable for the start-ups. Hiring an outsource marketing company ,allows business owners to focus on many other priorities.

Initially, for start ups outsourcing Marketing functionality is definitely a good idea. In fact this is where the Consultants come into play big time!!

Because of the nature of atart ups, being funded, the epenses are closely watched and controlled! The ROI is calculated on virtually a monthly basis. The investors are definitely bothered if not worried regarding their investments. Marketing is not a very affordable department of such ventures and they definitely afford a retained agency (advertising, keeping in mind the nature of products and the brand key) on a monthly basis.

Outsourcing Marketing gives the strat ups options of keeping the Consultant engaged on a much lesser cost as the overheads of an agency would not afford the retainer a Consultant can. Also, the Consultants can be engaged on various stages on project adbancement basis hence saving humongous costs!! I feel that its a brilliant idea!