Pros and cons of doing it yourself
Pros: It only costs the ad budget, you know your business best, and you learn a lot along the way.
Cons: It takes more time than most people think. The ad tools are complicated, and it is easy to spend money on the wrong audience or on ads that miss the mark. The time you spend is time you are not spending on your customers.
Pros and cons of an agency
Pros: You save time, get help from people who do this every day, and don’t have to learn the tools yourself.
Cons: Many agencies have set-up fees, long lock-in periods and slow processes. It can take weeks before anything goes live, and it is not always easy to understand what you are actually paying for.
6 questions to ask before you choose an agency
- Is there a lock-in? An agency that delivers doesn’t need to tie you in.
- Is there a set-up fee? And if so, what do you get for it?
- Who owns the ad account? It should be in your name, so you stay in control if you switch.
- How quickly do the ads go live? Days or weeks?
- How do I see the results? You should be able to see the numbers yourself, whenever you want.
- Who is my contact person? Will you be talking to one dedicated person, or a customer service centre?
A third option: the app
The choice is no longer just between doing everything yourself and paying an agency. With the Campaign Shark app, Shark AI creates posts and ads for you, and you approve them before anything goes out. It costs from NOK 499 a month, with no lock-in.
If you would rather not deal with it at all, we can do your marketing for you for a fixed monthly price, with your ads live within 48 hours. See pricing.
FAQ
What does a marketing agency cost?
It ranges from a few thousand to tens of thousands of kroner a month, often with a set-up fee on top. At Campaign Shark, it costs from NOK 1,499 a month, with no set-up fee.
Who should own the ad account?
You. That way you keep all the history and control if you switch agency or want to take over yourself.
Can I combine the two – do some myself and get help with the rest?
Yes. Many businesses post on social media themselves and let an agency handle the paid ads.
Founder of Campaign Shark in Elverum. Helps businesses and agencies get visible online, with our own technology and ads on Facebook, Instagram, Google and more channels.
