Surgeons and practice owners frequently find themselves at a crossroads when deciding whether to manage various aspects of their medical practice in-house or to delegate tasks to external vendors. The decision to run aspects of a medical practice in-house or to outsource is multi-faceted and goes beyond cost considerations. While cost is undoubtedly a pivotal factor in this decision-making process, there are several other critical aspects that demand careful consideration. It hinges on a delicate balance between quality, control, resource allocation, cost-effectiveness, and compliance. Each practice is unique, and the optimal choice may vary depending on individual circumstances and priorities. Let’s explore some of the key factors to consider when making the most informed decision for your practice’s success.
1. Cost Savings
In today’s dynamic business landscape, outsourcing certain aspects of your marketing endeavors is increasingly recognized as a sound strategic move. Rather than bearing the expenses associated with hiring, training, and retaining an in-house digital marketing team, outsourcing enables you to access a diverse skill set and a comprehensive suite of services without the financial commitment of full-time employees. This financial flexibility can be a game-changer, especially for small to medium-sized medical practices striving to maximize their marketing impact. Marketing experts are equipped with specialized talent and cutting-edge tools, resulting in more cost-effective campaigns and potentially a higher ROI. In essence, outsourcing your digital marketing endeavors not only optimizes your costs but also empowers you to harness the expertise of marketing professionals dedicated to enhancing your online presence and driving results.
2. Expertise and Specialization
Most digital marketing agencies are supposed to be staffed with experts in various facets of online marketing, including SEO, social media, content creation, and paid advertising. Since they focus on one or few aspects of a marketing, they possess up-to-date knowledge and skills to maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns. Each marketing platform is constantly changing their algorithms or pushing updates without notifications, so it’s important to have dedicated team members focused on certain aspects of your marketing plan. Recently, Google My Business has rolled out an update allowing small business owners to connect their social media products to their Google My Business listing. Most plastic surgery offices are unaware of this feature and Google has not sent out any notifications about this new update.
3. Time Efficiency
We believe time is the most valuable resource on the planet. Working with plastic surgeons who charge anywhere between $2,000 – $10,000 per hour know the value of time and the opportunity lost in not being able to receive advice and information in a swift and effective manner. By outsourcing, you sidestep the time-consuming process of building an in-house team and developing strategies from the ground up. This time-saving aspect is invaluable, as it allows you to focus on core business activities while the experts handle your digital marketing needs. Many agencies possess a wealth of experience and industry knowledge, meaning they’re not just experimenting with your campaigns. They’ve already fine-tuned their strategies and know what works best to achieve your specific goals. This expertise translates into a higher likelihood of success and a more efficient use of your marketing budget, as you benefit from their well-honed techniques and proven methodologies.
4. Scalability
As your aesthetic practice expands and evolves, so will your digital marketing requirements. Relying on seasoned marketing experts offers a distinct advantage in terms of adaptability. Outsourcing provides the flexibility to swiftly scale your marketing efforts up or down in response to changing circumstances, market dynamics, or seasonal trends. This agility is particularly valuable because it eliminates the complexities and costs associated with hiring and potentially laying off in-house employees based on fluctuating needs. By harnessing the expertise of external professionals, you gain the ability to fine-tune your digital marketing strategies and resource allocation with precision, ensuring that your practice remains competitive and responsive to the ever-shifting healthcare landscape.
5. Objective Perspective
Leveraging an external agency for your marketing efforts introduces a valuable layer of objectivity to your strategies. A seasoned marketing professional can bring a fresh perspective, untethered by internal biases or preconceptions. Their objective viewpoint allows them to evaluate your campaigns with a critical eye, analyzing data and industry best practices to offer precise insights and recommendations. This external vantage point is instrumental in making well-informed decisions and steering your marketing initiatives towards greater effectiveness. Using industry benchmarks and their guidance, you can refine your strategies, optimize your tactics, and pivot when necessary, all while staying aligned with the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing trends and consumer behaviors.
6. Access to Advanced Tools and Technology
Digital marketing agencies are constantly looking at new technology, wielding an arsenal of cutting-edge tools and resources. These resources can be prohibitively expensive for individual businesses to acquire and maintain. By partnering with an agency, you gain access to this technological firepower, instantly boosting your campaign performance, enhancing your analytics capabilities and often at a better price than you can purchase on your own. Their unique Martech stack enables agencies to analyze data with precision, optimize review acquisition, track user behavior, and stay ahead of industry trends. This translates into more effective campaigns, higher ROI, and a competitive edge in the digital landscape. The cost savings of not having to invest in and manage these tools independently is substantial, making outsourcing to a digital marketing agency a smart investment for businesses looking to thrive online.
How do you identify the tasks that are perfect for outsourcing?
This is very important! And we’re excited to share some fundamental pointers to help guide the decision-making process.
- Identify Expertise Shortfalls: Your internal team is undoubtedly superb, but they can’t be masters of all. Outsourcing comes into play when your team might lack the particular knowledge or abilities required to fulfill a task.
- Avoid Talent Squandering: To extract the maximum potential from your team, think about outsourcing mundane tasks. This strategy enables your staff to dedicate their skills and focus on tasks that directly impact your profits.
- Overcome Time Limitations: Running behind on key tasks? Outsourcing could be your magic wand to amplify productivity and ensure business dependability.
- Combat Procrastination: If some tasks have been idling on your to-do list, it’s high time to delegate them. The tasks you find challenging might just be the perfect match for an outsourcing partner.
- Recognize Core Strengths and Weaknesses: Pinpoint areas that demand more attention and outsource the tasks that don’t need your unique expertise. This tactical move assists in optimizing your time and resources, fostering business expansion.
- Note Recurring Tasks: Reflect on responsibilities that need to be executed regularly. Tasks with a set timeframe may be perfect for outsourcing to a skilled team.
- Evaluate Task Importance: Weigh the relevance of each task. If a task scores low on the importance chart, outsourcing it could liberate you and your employees to focus on mission-crucial tasks.
Not sure which aspects of your business you should be outsourcing? Tired of being surprised by the lack of results from your marketing agency? We hear you. Our team of experts have helped aesthetic surgeons build their online presence for the last 15 years, and we’ve seen it all. Set up your free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you grow your brand.