The Cost of DIY Marketing vs Hiring a B2B Advertising Agency

Let’s walk through a scenario that might feel all too familiar.

You’ve poured time, energy, and resources into building your business. You’ve created something real—solid operations, loyal customers, and a roadmap for the future. But even with all the right pieces in place, the growth you were counting on just isn’t happening. Meanwhile, your competitors seem to be gaining ground, and you’re left wondering what they’re doing differently.

Maybe someone’s told you it’s time to bring in a marketing agency. That sounds reasonable—until the questions start stacking up:

• What’s this actually going to cost me?
• How much should I really be spending on marketing?
• Is it even worth it?
• Are there any gotchas I should be worried about?

Suddenly, the whole idea feels like a headache you’d rather avoid.

Or maybe you are already working with an agency—but things aren’t clicking. You’re putting in the budget, the time, the trust, and still, the needle isn’t moving. Now you’re stuck asking yourself: is it the agency, the plan, or are we missing something bigger?

This kind of uncertainty is incredibly common—especially for B2B companies trying to scale. The potential payoff from strong marketing is obvious, but figuring out the right investment? That’s where things get murky.

We get it. That’s why when we talk to prospective clients, our goal is to clear the fog. No vague answers. No fluff. Just the truth about what marketing really costs and what you can expect in return.

In this guide, we’ll break down the numbers and help you understand the real cost of hiring a marketing agency—so you can make a smart, strategic choice that fits your business.

No guesswork. No gimmicks. Let’s dive in.

DIY Marketing: “Free” Isn’t Free

Doing your own marketing sounds smart—especially if you’re trying to save money. But once you dig in, the hidden costs start to show. specially if you’re running a lean B2B operation in Australia, keeping things in-house feels like a win for the budget column. But peel back the surface, and the hidden costs start stacking up fast.

The biggest one? Your time. Your team’s time. Everyone’s time.

DIY marketing often turns into a black hole where strategy sessions, copywriting, Canva designs, and analytics reporting eat away your workweek. According to Markebility, the average business owner sinks between 9–14 hours per week into marketing tasks. That’s a whole day or more that could be used for billable work, product development, or closing deals.

Then there’s the cash cost that sneaks in with tools. Here’s a quick reality check:

• Email marketing (e.g., Encharge, Mailchimp, Klaviyo): $95–$120/month
• Social media management (e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite): $150–400/month
• SEO tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs): $150–300/month
• Design tools (e.g., Canva Pro, Adobe Creative Suite): $20–60/month

Before you’ve even spent a dollar on ads, you could be looking at $500–1,000+ a month in subscriptions alone.

And don’t forget the learning curve. Marketing changes fast. Algorithms change. Platforms evolve. What worked last quarter might tank this one.

So now you’re not just doing the work—you’re also learning how to do the work. That means online courses, certifications, webinars, and hours of trial and error. And while you’re learning, your competitors are executing.

So yes, DIY might dodge agency fees. But the real question isn’t “What will it cost me to do it myself?” It’s “What’s the cost of doing it without deep expertise, pro tools, and the time to do it well?”

Working With an Agency: What You’re Actually Paying For

Now, let’s talk about agencies. For many B2B businesses, outsourcing feels like a luxury—until you see what you’re actually getting for the price.

Agencies come with teams of specialists: content strategists, PPC experts, SEO nerds, designers, analysts—the whole marketing Avengers lineup. They’ve done this before, at scale, across industries. You’re not just buying labour—you’re buying proven processes, precision execution, and experience that shortens your learning curve by years.

In terms of pricing, here’s what you might expect in Australia:

• Retainer model: Fixed monthly fee ($3,000–7,500+) covering services like strategy, content, SEO, and social media
• Project-based: Flat fee for a defined scope (e.g. $5K for a website revamp)
• Hourly: Ranges from $85–350/hr depending on expertise
• Performance-based: Pay based on ROI metrics like qualified leads or conversions

Some agencies outline these standard price points:

• SEO: $1,400–7,500/month
• PPC management: $800–2,000/month, plus ad spend (~$5.06 avg CPC in AU B2B)
• Content creation: $300–1,000 per blog; $2,000–10,000 per video
• Email marketing: $51–500/month
• Social media: $770–7,700/month

Importantly, these fees aren’t extra if you’re replacing DIY efforts—they’re the cost of replacing inefficiency, gaining access to tools you’d never buy solo, and (ideally) driving a stronger ROI.

The Upsides and the Trade-Offs

DIY: When Control Comes at a Cost

Pros:

• Direct command over brand messaging and visual identity.
• Lower initial cash outlay (ignoring the hidden costs we’ve discussed).
• Potential for rapid adjustments (if your team isn’t already swamped)
  
  

Cons:

• Steep learning curve and often slower, less effective execution.
• Limited ability to scale marketing efforts as you grow.
• Significantly higher risk of underperforming campaigns and wasted budget.

Agency: Strategic Firepower Unleashed

Pros:

• Immediate access to seasoned specialists and proven strategic frameworks.
• Scalable support and resources that grow with your needs.
• Established systems, clear reporting, and built-in accountability.
  
  

Cons:

• Higher upfront financial investment.
• Requires diligent vetting to ensure strategic and cultural alignment.
• Effective collaboration demands clear communication and shared goals.

So… What’s Right for You?

The best path depends on three things:

1. Your internal resources – Do you actually have the skills and time in-house?
2. Your goals – Are you looking to grow aggressively, or maintain steady brand awareness?
3. Your budget – Can you afford to buy time and expertise, or does every dollar need to be stretched?

And here’s an idea: you don’t have to choose one or the other.

Many successful B2B businesses in Australia are going hybrid. They keep brand voice and basic content in-house, while outsourcing high-skill, high-impact areas like SEO, paid media, and campaign strategy.

This model lets you stay agile, play to your strengths, and still tap into the expertise needed to scale smarter—not just harder.

Final Word: Cheap Marketing Is Expensive

The fundamental question isn’t about the sticker price of marketing. It’s about the cost of marketing that doesn’t deliver. DIY might seem like the frugal choice, but when you factor in the lost time, the fragmented tool subscriptions, the ongoing training demands, and the potential for lackluster results, it can be the most expensive path of all. Hiring a B2B marketing agency like 3 Phase Marketing, on the other hand, gives you access to specialists who live and breathe strategy, optimisation, and results. What’s important is gaining a powerful growth engine.

So, if you’re ready to stop patching together half-measures and start driving serious results, 3 Phase Marketing is here to help. We partner with ambitious Australian B2B businesses to create marketing strategies that scale, convert, and deliver ROI you can measure—not just feel.

Let’s talk growth. Book a discovery call with 3 Phase Marketing today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is hiring a B2B advertising agency really worth the cost?
   Yes… especially when you factor in the hidden costs of DIY marketing, like time, inefficiencies, and limited scalability. A B2B advertising agency provides access to seasoned experts, proven strategies, and enterprise-grade tools, which can significantly improve ROI compared to handling everything in-house.
   
   
2. Can I combine DIY marketing with agency support?
   Absolutely. Many Australian B2B companies are taking a hybrid approach—keeping brand content or social media in-house while outsourcing high-skill areas like SEO, paid advertising, or campaign strategy to a B2B advertising agency. It’s a smart way to stay agile and maximise return on effort and budget.
   
   
3. How do I know if my B2B advertising agency is delivering results?
   A good B2B advertising agency will provide clear metrics tied to your business goals. Think lead quality, conversions, and revenue growth. Look for regular reporting, transparency in tactics, and proactive optimisation. If you’re not seeing movement in the right areas, it might be time to reassess the partnership.
   
   
4. What should I look for when choosing a B2B marketing agency?
   Key things to consider include: experience in your industry, clear processes, cultural fit, and the ability to link strategy to measurable outcomes. Ask about their results with similar clients, reporting standards, and how they align their approach with your sales goals. Avoid agencies that speak in buzzwords but lack transparency.
   
   
5. Why is B2B advertising different from B2C marketing?
   B2B advertising focuses on longer sales cycles, niche audiences, and decision-makers who value ROI and problem-solving over emotion-driven messaging. It demands a strategic, consultative approach. This is why it’s important to work with a B2B advertising agency that understands these dynamics and can tailor campaigns accordingly.
   
   
6. How quickly can I expect results from a B2B marketing agency?
   It depends on the channels used. Paid media might deliver results in weeks, while SEO and content strategies often take a few months. A reputable agency will set realistic timelines and focus on sustainable, compounding growth rather than quick wins that don’t last.