Hiring a Marketing Consultant vs. Doing It Yourself: Which Is Better for 2025?
Your business is so much more than just a business. It’s how you provide for your family, an extension of your passion and talent, and an opportunity to do something meaningful. That’s why, to you, it’s about more than just numbers. It’s about making choices that ensure your business (and everyone connected to it) prospers well into the future.
One of the biggest choices that can alter the trajectory of your business? Whether or not you market it yourself or hire a professional.
I get it—there’s a lot to consider. You’ve been hands-on with your business from the start, and the idea of stepping back to let someone else take the reins can feel daunting. Or maybe you’re weighing the risk, wondering if you’ll see the return on your investment. It’s not that you don’t see the value of working with an experienced marketing consultant—you just want to be sure it’s the right move at the right time. And that makes perfect sense.
To make your decision easier, I’m laying out everything you need to know about choosing between working with a marketing consultant vs DIY. This blog covers all the key considerations and reveals why 2025 might just be the ideal moment to invest in expert help.
Let’s dive in.
Hiring a Marketing Consultant: Pros and Cons
There’s one question you’ve probably been wrestling with: Are marketing consultants worth it? You want to know the benefits will outweigh the cost so you can move forward feeling confident about achieving the results you're after.
Here are the biggest advantages of hiring a marketing consultant:
PROS
Expertise on demand. You get access to top-tier knowledge whenever you need it! No more guessing or relying on trial and error—just proven strategies and fresh insights, all without the overhead of hiring a full-time team.
Scalable solutions. As you grow, a marketing consultant will adjust your strategies to keep pace, ensuring you never outgrow your marketing. This ensures you’re always working with tactics that align with your current goals, allowing you to focus on what matters—driving growth without hitting a plateau.
Advanced tools and technologies. You get all the high-tech resources you need to optimize your strategy, track results, and stay ahead of the competition—without the upfront costs, software licenses, or ongoing maintenance.
Strategic budget allocation. Marketing consultants make sure every dollar works harder for you! By identifying high-impact areas and cutting unnecessary spend, they maximize your ROI.
Better gap recognition. They’re quick to spot areas for improvement in your marketing strategy, helping you eliminate tactics that are slow to drive growth and better optimize the ones that work.
CONS
Now let’s explore the biggest hesitations business owners have about hiring a marketing consultant:
Difficulty delegating. Handing over marketing to a professional can feel like losing control. You might worry they won’t understand your vision or handle it the way you would.
Higher (upfront) cost. Hiring a pro is an expense (there’s no denying that), and when you’re used to doing things yourself, it can feel like a big commitment.
Onboarding process. You’re already busy, and the thought of a learning curve with a new consultant feels like more work. You might worry it’ll slow things down or take too long for them to truly understand your business.
DIY Marketing: Pros and Cons
You’ve got a clearer picture of what makes a marketing consultant valuable. Let’s shift gears and explore the upsides and challenges of DIY marketing.
PROS
Skill development. You’ll dive into everything from creating content to checking your analytics, giving you a real sense of what makes your business tick. It’ll take some time, but the skills you pick up will help you feel more confident in the decisions you make down the road.
Lower (upfront) costs. Doing your marketing definitely costs less upfront—you’re saving on consultant fees. But don’t forget, it takes time to learn the ropes and handle everything on your own. If you’re short on time or want faster, more effective results, hiring a consultant is the smarter investment that will pay off in the long run.
Complete control. You get to call the shots, set the strategy, and ensure everything aligns with your vision.
CONS
Lack of objectivity. As the owner of your business, you’re extremely close to your brand. It’s like homeowners trying to decorate their own house to sell—they’re emotionally attached and can’t always see what buyers will actually respond to. An outside perspective from a consultant brings clarity and fresh insights.
Time drains. Juggling marketing while managing daily operations can feel like you’re constantly pulled in a million directions. You’re already wearing so many hats, and marketing requires time, focus, and creativity. It’s easy to neglect one for the other, and that’s when things start slipping.
Missed optimization opportunities. It’s easier to overlook ways to improve your strategy without advanced skills or training (like SEO analysis or lead generation frameworks). Only a pro can bring that specialized knowledge.
Outdated tactics. What was the best marketing approach five years ago likely won’t be the best approach today, but without the expertise or time to monitor marketing trends, you may not be aware a change is necessary—causing you to spend valuable dollars on methods that no longer work.
Burnout. You’re already juggling countless tasks—keeping operations running, handling customers, managing finances—and marketing adds even more pressure, putting you at risk for overwhelm.
Why Hire a Marketing Consultant in 2025?
We’ve covered the pros and cons of hiring a marketing consultant versus doing it yourself, but there’s more to think about than just the results. The marketing landscape is shifting fast, and 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point for strategy. It’s crucial to factor in these changes as you plan your next steps.
Here are the most pressing reasons to hire a pro for marketing success in 2025 and beyond:
1. TO COMBAT THE IMPACT OF INFLATED PRICING
89% of businesses have raised the price of their products or services due to inflation. If you’ve had to raise prices to stay competitive, your marketing strategy is now more important than ever. The right approach can help communicate the value behind those increases, reassuring your target audience and keeping customer loyalty strong. It’s all about showing them why your brand is worth every penny.
2. TO AVOID ENTREPRENEURIAL BURNOUT
42% of business owners have experienced burnout in the past month. Partnering with a trusted professional to offload marketing from your plate won’t just free up your time to focus on running your business—it’ll also allow you to step into your role as a leader with full focus. After all, you’re far more valuable driving operational excellence than getting bogged down in marketing tasks someone else can handle.
3. TO GENERATE MORE LEADS
60% of small businesses say acquiring new customers is their top marketing challenge. A marketing consultant can bring subject matter expertise in this area, creating a lead generation framework that attracts qualified leads and guides them seamlessly through your sales cycle. The best part? You don’t have to be hands-on. All you need to do is review the strategy and watch the results roll in!
4. TO SUCCESSFULLY PROMOTE NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
More than 50% of businesses expect to launch new products or services this year. If you plan to do the same, your strategy will need to be backed by data-driven decision-making. Otherwise, getting noticed in a crowded marketplace will be a steep uphill battle. A marketing consultant can craft a tailored strategy to boost your brand’s online visibility and showcase your products or services in a way that truly sticks with your audience.
5. TO ACHIEVE YOUR MARKETING OBJECTIVES (AND THEN SOME)
More than half of business owners say their marketing strategy struggles because it lacks clear and measurable goals. It makes sense—setting realistic, attainable marketing goals is tricky when you’re not entirely sure what it takes to reach them or how to measure success effectively. A marketing consultant can help you set and prioritize goals that align with your bigger vision for your business. Plus, they’ll implement the right tools and systems to track progress, so you’re never left guessing how things are performing.
Set Your Business Up For Marketing Success in 2025
It’s time to make a decision that will brighten your future.
Don’t leave your 2025 marketing goals to chance. By bringing a marketing consultant on board now, you give yourself the best opportunity to look back on the year with pride.
Let’s chat about working together to make your marketing shine.