MSP Marketing: DIY Marketing Your MSP

Are you considering bringing the marketing of your MSP in-house? Before you do, take a moment to examine the pros and cons of handling everything from your website, to your social media accounts, and your content yourself.

Still on the Fence About Marketing Your MSP?

Hopefully by now, you have realized the need to market your MSP if you want your business to grow. The next logical step is to decide how to start. Marketing your MSP, like all business decisions, requires determining whether or not to do it yourself, or work with a partner. Here are some pros and cons of bringing your marketing in-house.

Advantages of Bringing Your MSP Marketing In-House

No One Knows Your Business Better Than You
When you develop your marketing plan, you can be sure that your marketing “gets you” and reflects your brand. Many marketing agencies operate under the belief that all products are the same, and if you market one, you can market them all. The most effective marketing plan will have the best chance of success if you understand the product you are promoting. No agency will have the same passion and knowledge of your business as you.  

Communication is Key
Like you, most marketing agencies will have other clients and commitments. This means that what may be urgent to you could be placed into a queue, the same as in your business. Unfortunately, ASAP can have different meanings of urgency between the client and agency, which can lead to conflict. Intra-departmental communications ensure that important tasks and decisions can get the attention they need on your schedule, not the agency’s.

Team Buy-in and Control
One of the most important things a business can have is control of: its destiny. By nature, when you outsource any aspect of your business, you will have to expect to give up some measure of control. Keeping your marketing in-house ensures your message and priorities will always be front and center.

Disadvantages of Bringing Your MSP Marketing In-House

Lack of Marketing Experience:
Marketing is more than a website. If you want to market your MSP services successfully, then you need to be able to attract and engage an audience, and a website alone won’t be enough. Marketing is a multi-step process that requires a plan. 

Modern marketing depends on being able to connect with leads in a variety of methods, requiring you to…

• Manage your social media presence
• Consider Pay-Per-Click, or PPC
• Create content
• Invest in SEO
• Focus on web design and development
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Invest in a graphic designer to make everything look pretty

So, the question you need to ask yourself is who in your office can perform these tasks? Moreover, do you have the resources, time, and manpower to invest? Once again, consider what you tell customers who believe they can manage their IT. The mantra of managed services is, “Let us worry about your IT.” The same can and does apply to your marketing. Instead of worrying about your marketing, focus on closing sales, and let your agency get you in front of an audience.

Unfamiliarity with Modern Marketing Tactics
While familiarity with your brand is a positive thing, it can be a double-edged sword, as you or your team could be unwilling to “think outside the box” and try new methods to communicate with potential customers. For example, while you may feel that social media or YouTube is a waste of time, the reality is that the average person spends about 145 minutes on social media every day, 74% of adults in America use YouTube, and most importantly, your competitors are using one or both to promote their services. If you don’t meet your customers where they are, you won’t have the opportunity to introduce them to your services.

Considering Working With an Agency to Market Your MSP?

What are the disadvantages of working with an agency to market your MSP? First and foremost will be the cost, followed by some loss of autonomy. That is, you will have to work within the agency's timeline; as such, ASAP is a courtesy, not a guarantee. Finally, as noted, you know your brand and industry best, making you your best advocate. 

Unfortunately, as you know, many businesses don't understand what managed services are, hence the need to market your services. One of the most significant issues we face as an MSP ourselves is explaining what an MSP is to businesses and how managed services can support the technology their businesses rely upon. This is why marketing is essential to grow your business.

This misunderstanding can also be shared by some marketing agencies who believe that marketing is marketing, regardless of the product or service. This mindset can make it challenging to develop marketing strategies that reflect your strengths because they need to familiarize themselves with the benefits managed IT can bring a business in order to properly communicate them. This is why working with an agency that understands what an MSP is and does is crucial.

You Need To Get Your MSP in Front of an Audience

If you don’t market your MSP, you won’t be able to generate the leads your business needs to thrive. Without marketing, advertising, and promotion, no one—or at least, very few—will know your business exists. In today’s digital marketplace, where people are more physically distanced than before, word of mouth will only get you so far.

More importantly, your competitors are marketing their services, and if your potential customers can’t find you, they will choose them. You need to market your services if you want your business to grow. 

We are one of a few marketing agencies dedicated to helping MSPs promote their services and generate the leads needed for growth. Offering turn-key solutions, we can help you get your marketing up and running without hassle or missteps. If you are struggling to get your business in front of an audience or break ahead of the crowd, we can help. Call 888-546-4384 today to schedule a consultation.