In the dynamic world of culinary competitors, developing an effective marketing strategy is necessary for success in the restaurant business.
However, when it comes to deciding how to execute your marketing plan, you face a critical choice: an in-house marketing manager or a restaurant marketing agency.
Each option presents its own set of advantages and considerations, and the ideal choice often hinges on the unique needs and goals of your restaurant.
This blog is more than just a collection of numbers. It’s a comprehensive guide designed to satisfy your curiosity and give you knowledge and insight to enable you to make informed decisions on the marketing strategy of your business.
In-House Restaurant Marketing Manager
Salary
An in-house restaurant marketing manager’s salary typically falls within the range of $30,000 to $60,000 per year, contingent on experience and location. It’s important to note that if the in-house manager lacks skills in areas such as email marketing, website maintenance, video editing, or other necessary competencies, additional hiring may be required, potentially increasing overall costs for a comprehensive marketing team.
Benefits
You will also need to account for the cost of benefits like paid time off, superannuation, retirement contributions, and health insurance in addition to your monthly salary.
Recruitment and Training
Recruiting and training an internal marketing manager can be expensive and time-consuming, especially when you don’t have prior expertise in hiring and onboarding staff.
Jack of All Trades
While an in-house marketing manager is well-versed in marketing concepts, the demands of their position frequently prevent them from having specialised knowledge in fields like social media, SEO, or website design. Having too many things going on at once can make it difficult for them to stay focused intently on one thing, which makes partnerships or outside assistance necessary to perform at their best in specialised fields.
Limited Resources
An in-house marketing manager may face resource constraints, including limited access to software, tools, and industry data. These restrictions can influence the effectiveness and scope of their marketing strategies, highlighting the importance of allocating resources carefully for optimal outcomes.
Project Management Responsibilities
The in-house marketing manager shoulders project management responsibilities, encompassing tasks like scheduling, budgeting, and reporting. They are responsible for coordinating these necessary components to guarantee efficient and successful marketing campaigns.
Restaurant Owner Involvement
The restaurant owner may find themselves allocating extra time to project management, diverting attention from their primary duties. It is difficult to juggle the demands of managing projects with the necessary day-to-day chores, which stresses the value of excellent time management or potential outsourcing to preserve overall operational effectiveness.
Scalability
An in-house marketing manager may not be able to scale quickly enough to meet the changing marketing demands of your growing restaurant.
While agencies can typically be terminated at any time based on the agreement, dismissing employees may involve additional costs. It’s essential to understand the terms of your agreements and weigh the financial implications associated with employee termination, fostering informed decision-making in managing your workforce.
Restaurant Marketing Agency
Agency Fees
Agency fees vary depending on the size and scope of your project, but typically range from $2890 to $5890 per month.
No Additional Costs
You won’t have to worry about spending money on hiring and training staff or providing benefits.
Specialised Experts
Marketing agencies boast teams of specialised experts in diverse marketing disciplines, guaranteeing optimal results for every aspect of your campaign. With a collective pool of expertise, these teams collaborate effectively to deliver comprehensive solutions, leveraging the distinct skills of each member to enhance the effectiveness and impact of your marketing campaigns.
Access to Resources
Marketing agencies possess access to an extensive array of resources, encompassing software, tools and industry data. This wide range of resources equips them to craft highly effective marketing strategies tailored to the unique needs and personalities of their customers. Leveraging these resources enables agencies to stay at the forefront of industry trends, optimise campaigns, and deliver impactful results in the marketing landscape.
Dedicated Project Manager
An agency commits to a smooth project experience by assigning a dedicated project manager to your account. This guarantees that your campaigns move forward without delay and remain on course. The appointed project manager serves as a point of contract, overseeing the coordination of tasks, timelines, and communication and promoting an organised and effective execution of your project.
Reduced Burden on Restaurant Owner
Entrusting project management to the agency frees the restaurant owner to concentrate on core business operations. The agency’s coordination and oversight of marketing campaigns frees up the owner’s valuable time and resources to focus on important aspects of restaurant management, improving overall productivity and business performance.
Flexibility
With an agency, you have greater freedom to modify your marketing strategies in accordance with your needs and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let's discuss a few frequently asked questions restaurant owners may have regarding the cost distinctions between hiring an in-house manager and hiring a restaurant marketing agency.
Conclusion
We hope that this blog has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of the cost comparison between hiring an in-house marketing manager and hiring a restaurant marketing agency.
As a restaurant owner, you’re passionate about creating culinary experiences that delight your customers. However, successful restaurant marketing calls for a different set of skills.
Take a moment to reflect on the current state of your restaurant’s marketing campaigns. Are you satisfied with the results you’re achieving? Do you have the time and resources to manage your marketing in-house?
If not, consider scheduling a consultation with a marketing agency to discuss how they can help your restaurant reach new heights.
“Begin your success journey with the valued support our clients trust.”
You’ll get the same guidance and support that we give to our clients.
Charo Mel Peters is a content specialist who specialises in creating thought-provoking blogs about restaurant marketing. Her main objective is to provide thorough answers and strategic insights to the pressing problems that restaurant owners frequently face.
Contact
- charo(at)restaurantsmarketing(dot)com(dot)au