Why Pay $188k When You Could Pay $96k? Asking for a Friend.
Let’s talk about money. Specifically, your money. Because if you’re considering hiring an in-house marketing manager, you might want to sit down for this.
The Real Cost of In-House Marketing
Hiring someone full-time sounds great, right? Until you see the bill.
Start with the salary: $71,000 a year. Not too bad, you think. But wait, there’s more! Add benefits, which are like a sneaky second salary, and now you’re up to around $82,000. And that’s before you’ve even printed a single brochure or posted a single Instagram story.
Then there are the extras—you know, the things that magically double your budget. Website updates? That’s $10k. Designing brochures? Another $6,500. Social media? $42k. And don’t forget the $25k for photo and video production. (Because selfies aren’t professional, apparently.) By the time you’ve added in public relations, paid media campaigns, and a bunch of other stuff, you’re looking at nearly $190,000 a year. Ouch.
Meet Charcoal Marketing: Your Budget’s New Best Friend
Here’s a wild idea: What if you could get all that marketing goodness without selling your soul—or your budget? Enter Charcoal Marketing. For about $6,000 to $8,000 a month, you get a whole team of marketing pros. Not just one person. A team. And they come fully loaded with all the skills you need—website updates, social media management, photo/video, PR, you name it.
And guess what? There’s no need to worry about sick days, vacations, or the dreaded “I’m leaving for a better offer” conversation. Charcoal is always on, always delivering, and never asking for a raise.
Why the Industry is Going Fractional
The truth is, more businesses are catching on to this fractional marketing trend. Why? Because it makes sense. It’s like having your marketing cake and eating it too, without getting crumbs all over your desk.
No more paying top dollar for one person who can only do so much. With a fractional service, you get an entire squad of experts for a fraction of the cost. And they’re not just good—they’re really good. Like, “we’ve been doing this for years, and we love it” good.
So, the next time you’re thinking about hiring an in-house marketing manager, ask yourself: Do I really want to pay $188k when I could pay $96k? Or do I want a team that eats, sleeps, and breathes marketing for less?
Exactly. Thought so.