Four Things I Learned Moving from an Agency to an In-house

The wide world of marketing offers many job opportunities, from freelancing to working at an agency to manning an in-house marketing department. After eight years of agency life, I took the plunge into the world of in-house marketing, and beyond the differences on the surface (“Yay, no more timecards! What do you mean I have to carry a name badge?”), the experience has taught me a thing or two. Or four.

1. Your problem-solving pool gets bigger.
Being at an agency, most of your day is spent focused on solving marketing-related problems like reaching a particular target audience or communicating a creative message.

On the in-house side, you still wrestle with these challenges. But now you can add a pile of other topics to the list as you see all sides of the business. You might be pulled into operations meetings, asked to think about customer service issues or need to brainstorm new business strategies. Sometimes, you could be the only marketing-minded person at the table. All the more reason to hone those critical thinking skills early so you can do what marketers do best – solve problems.

2. Twists, turns and tight timelines still happen.
I can’t tell you the number of times you’ll hear “if we’d only been brought in on this sooner…” in an agency setting. It always seemed like we were just a few too many steps behind our clients when learning about problems, new products or marketing needs.

On the client side, it still happens. Especially in a newer, start-up environment, projects are constantly twisting and turning, so much so that it’s hard to keep up even if you’re in the same office. One day a product launch might be pushed back while another is moved up. Research might reveal that you need to overhaul a service or pivot to keep up with the demands of business. Change is the only constant in business. And it rarely happens on your timeline.

3. There are always clients.
After leaving an agency, it’s tempting to throw your hands up in the air, run through the streets and scream, “Hallelujah – no more clients!”

Don’t do that.

No matter where you work, you will always have clients. They may not be dressed in suits and sitting across from you in a pitch scenario, but they’re there in the form of corporate stakeholders, coworkers, colleagues or potential franchisees. You’ll always have people to impress, and that’s where your skills as an agency pro come in. You’re used to pitching and persuading a room. Put those years of presentation experience to work no matter where your marketing career takes you. 

4. Idea people have value everywhere.
Regardless of what career you choose, ideas are the currency of marketing. If you’re willing to put in the time and mental energy to contribute big ideas, strategies and marketing brainchildren to your organization, you have value.

The idea is everything. And the idea person? Essential, in or out of house.