Hi there,
Happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance. I know it can be a bit overwhelming when you're first starting out and trying to figure out the best way to generate leads. It's tricky knowing whether to hire a team, figure it out yourself, or get an agency.
Let's have a look at some options:
We'll need to look at the Time commitment...
First off, trying to figure it out yourself with online courses can be a false economy. Yes, it might seem cheaper upfront, but it's gonna eat up a HUGE chunk of your time. And as CEO, your time is probably best spent elsewhere, like on product development or securing more funding, yeah? The learning curve with paid ads can be pretty steep, and there's a lot of trial and error involved. I've seen loads of people try the DIY route and end up wasting a load of cash on ads that don't convert. It's really easy to make mistakes when you're just starting out, especially with targeting and bidding strategies.
Plus, the paid ads landscape is constantly evolving. Google and Meta are always changing their algorithms, introducing new ad formats, and tweaking their targeting options. What works today might not work tomorrow, so you need to stay on top of things. Are you really gonna have the time to keep up with all that while also running your company? Even if you think you can, it's a lot to take on and easy to get distracted from the things you're good at.
I'd say you consider in-house expenses...
Hiring an in-house team might seem like the obvious solution, especially if you've got VC backing. But it's not as straightforward as it seems. First off, you've got the recruitment process, which can take months to find the right people, with the right experience. Then you've got salaries, benefits, National Insurance, pension contributions – the whole shebang. Good paid ads specialists don't come cheap, especially in a competitive market. And remember, you're not just paying for their time. You're also paying for their training, their software, their tools, and their access to industry resources.
I remember one client who tried to build an in-house team. They ended up spending a fortune on salaries, training, and software licenses. And even then, they weren't seeing the results they were hoping for. Why? Because they didn't have the breadth of experience or the depth of expertise that a good agency can bring to the table. And then there are the management and admin overheads to consider. Who's going to manage the team, set their goals, and track their performance? You? Or are you going to hire a dedicated marketing manager? Either way, it's gonna add to your costs.
You probably should consider the value an agency brings...
A good paid ads agency will already have a team of experienced specialists in place, with expertise in all areas of paid advertising, from strategy and planning to campaign management and reporting. They'll have access to the latest tools and technologies, and they'll have a proven track record of delivering results for clients in your industry. An agency should be able to hit the ground running, develop a tailored strategy based on your specific goals and target audience, and start generating leads quickly and efficiently.
Plus, you're only paying for the service you need. You're not paying for salaries, benefits, or overheads. And you can scale up or down as needed, depending on your budget and your business goals. We're running a campaign for an HVAC company currently, and they're seeing a really decent ROI because we were able to quickly identify their ideal customers, target them effectively, and optimise the campaigns as we went along. And we've reduced their cost per lead by about 30% compared to what they were paying before.
You'll need to vet agencies carefully...
Now, not all agencies are created equal. Some are better than others. And some specialise in certain industries or certain types of advertising. So it's important to do your research and find an agency that's a good fit for your business. Look for an agency that has experience working with B2B SaaS companies, and that understands the environmental controls market. Ask for case studies and check their references. See if they've worked with companies like yours before, and what kind of results they were able to achieve.
Don't be afraid to ask tough questions. What's their approach to targeting? How do they optimise campaigns? What kind of reporting do they provide? And how do they measure success? A good agency will be transparent about their processes and their results, and they'll be able to provide you with clear, concise answers to all your questions. Make sure they understand your budget and your business goals, and that they're committed to delivering a return on your investment.
Here are my main recommendations for you:
| Area | Recommendation |
| Time | Don't try to DIY with courses unless you have a LOT of free time. |
| Cost | In-house teams are expensive - consider the full cost, not just salaries. |
| Expertise | A good agency has the experience and tools to get results faster. |
| Due Diligence | Vet agencies carefully - look for B2B SaaS experience and case studies. |
Ultimately, the decision of whether to work with a paid ads agency, hire an in-house team, or figure it out yourself depends on your specific circumstances. But if you're looking to generate leads quickly and efficiently, and you don't have the time or the expertise to do it yourself, then a good agency could be the best option. I've run quite a few campaigns for B2B SaaS, and one thing I've learned is that it pays to work with experts who know what they're doing.
If you'd like to chat more about your specific situation and how we might be able to help, feel free to book in a free consultation. We can have a chat about your goals, your budget, and your target audience, and develop a tailored strategy that's right for you.
Regards,
Team @ Lukas Holschuh
