100% Australian owned & operated 🇦🇺 No lock-in contracts, ever.
Social Media

Social Media Agency vs In-House: Which Is Right for You?

2026-06-11 · North Social · Social Media & Digital Marketing Agency

As your business grows, you’ll face a choice: hire someone in-house to run your marketing, or partner with a Social Media agency. Both can work, here’s how to decide.

The cost reality

A single in-house Social Media manager in Australia costs roughly $70,000-$90,000 a year plus super, tools, leave and management. And one person can’t be a strategist, designer, videographer, copywriter and ads specialist all at once.

An agency gives you that entire team for a predictable monthly fee, often less than one salary, with no recruitment, no software bills and no HR headaches.

Capability

In-house wins on deep, day-to-day brand immersion. An agency wins on breadth: you get specialists across video, ads, SEO and design without hiring five people.

Risk and flexibility

Employees are a fixed commitment. A good agency, one with no lock-in contract, lets you scale up or down as needed, and walk away if it’s not working.

For most small and mid-sized businesses, a no-lock-in agency delivers more capability, less risk and better value than a single hire.

The hybrid option

Plenty of businesses do both: a small in-house presence plus an agency for firepower. If you’d like to explore what an agency partnership looks like, get a free proposal.

Want this handled for you?

Get a free proposal within one business day. No lock-in, ever.

Get a free proposal
FAQ

Related questions

Is an agency cheaper than hiring in-house?

Usually yes, you get a full team for less than a single salary, with no on-costs, tools or recruitment fees.

Can I switch from an agency to in-house later?

Absolutely, especially with a no-lock-in agency. Many businesses use an agency to build momentum, then bring some work in-house over time.

Keep reading

More insights

Ready for your business to become Social Media & digital marketing dominant?

Get a free, no-obligation proposal. Tell us your goals and we’ll send back a plan and a price, usually within one business day. It’s all in writing, no phone calls or meetings, just how busy business owners prefer it.

✓ No lock-in   ✓ Dedicated account manager   ✓ Servicing every capital city