If you’re in the process of choosing a marketing partner, you’re probably weighing a few different options. Maybe you’ve talked to a larger agency. Maybe you’re considering hiring a contractor. Or maybe you’re wondering if it’s time to bring marketing in-house.
On the surface, a lot of these options can look similar. But how they work, and what you actually get day to day, can be very different.
Here’s how we help clients think through that decision.
Option #1: Hiring In-House or Bringing on a CMO
Having someone in-house can be amazing. They know your business, live it day-to-day, and can make quick decisions. A full-time marketer or CMO brings strategy, alignment, and leadership to the table.
But here’s the catch. One person can’t do everything. SEO, content, paid ads, email, analytics…it adds up fast. Most in-house leaders still end up managing contractors or agencies to get it all done.
This is where teams often bring us in. We act as an extension of your team, giving you senior-level strategy and hands-on execution across channels like SEO, content marketing, and email marketing, without hiring an entire department.
Option #2: Big Agencies
Big agencies can be great if you need scale, structure, and lots of moving parts handled for you. They have processes, layers, and often impressive case studies.
However, the reality is that you pitch to a senior leader, then day-to-day work gets executed by junior teams. Changes take time. Communication can get messy.
We do things differently.
We’re small, agile, and all senior-level. The people you meet are the ones reviewing performance, refining strategy, and making decisions.
You won’t get any internal management layers with us. We’re scrappy, we get the job done, and focus on work that helps move the needle.
Curious how we work? Check out our story here.
Option #3: Contractors or Freelancers
Contractors are great for specific tasks, like design, copywriting, or a one-off campaign. They’re flexible, affordable, and often very skilled.
The problem comes when marketing needs to work as a system. SEO in one corner, paid ads somewhere else, content over there…without anyone connecting the dots, your campaigns can plateau.
We take a holistic marketing approach. SEO supports content. Content feeds email marketing. Paid ads amplify what’s already performing. And everything ties back to conversions.
This approach works especially well for businesses with seasonal demand. We’ve seen firsthand how focusing on strategy, testing, and SEO in slower months sets up stronger performance during peak months. (We’ve written more about that in our blog on off-season marketing for local businesses.)
What It’s Like Working with Digital Hot Sauce
Here’s what clients notice when they work with us:
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You get senior-level expertise without the full-time hire.
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We’re a small, tight-knit team that works like an extension of yours.
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We communicate clearly, remove the jargon, and keep things fun while getting results.
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We share what’s working, and what isn’t, so you can make decisions with confidence.
We care about your business. Really. That shows in the work we do, the extra mile we take, and how invested we are in your results.
Choosing how to run your marketing is about fit, transparency, and results.
If you’re comparing options and want an honest conversation about what would actually work for your business, and how we can help, we’d be happy to chat (get in touch here).
Even if we’re not the right fit, we’ll help you ask the right questions. But if you want a team that thinks like part of your business, executes with skill, and tells it like it is…well, that’s usually where we shine.
