Outsourcing digital marketing to the Philippines has become a popular strategy for businesses aiming to reduce costs while maintaining high-quality marketing efforts. But for early-stage startups, it’s still a fairly new process. There’s a lot of anxiety around outsourcing, or if you’re ready to get started, it can be overwhelming.
The good news is that the Philippines offers a pool of talented digital marketers who are well-versed in various aspects of digital marketing. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to outsource your digital marketing tasks to the Philippines.
What is Outsourcing in Digital Marketing?
Outsourcing in digital marketing involves hiring freelancers or agencies to handle various marketing tasks instead of managing them in-house. This approach allows businesses to leverage specialized skills and technology without the overhead costs of maintaining a full-time, in-house team.
For early-stage startups, outsourcing digital marketing projects gives founders the flexibility they need. They can either scale up or down a certain process, like a PPC campaign, without dealing with the HR headache.
Why Outsource to the Philippines?
Outsourcing digital marketing to the Philippines is smart because it costs around 70% less than keeping a certain role or campaign in-house. For example, a full-time senior writer in the US can earn up to $6,000 monthly.
On the other hand, you can hire a part-time senior writer for $1700 per month in our company. These are top writers from Ivy League universities who have more than 4 years of experience in writing for SEO. You can even have an entire fractional team for less than the full-time salary of one employee in the US.
Here are other reasons why companies outsource in the Philippines:
- Skilled Workforce: A large pool of skilled digital marketers well-versed in the latest marketing trends and technologies.
- Cultural Compatibility: High proficiency in English and a good understanding of Western business practices.
- Strong Work Ethic: Filipino workers are known for their dedication and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
Each year, more and more corporate employees are transitioning to freelance work in the Philippines. This is mainly because remote jobs offer competitive salaries compared to their Philippine corporate counterparts. Traffic is getting worse each year, especially in main cities like Manila.
Different Ways to Outsource Digital Marketing
There are many ways to outsource in the Philippines. You don’t have to go the traditional route where outsourced employees work in a physical office space.
Freelancers:
- Pros: Cost-effective, flexible, and ideal for small projects or one-time tasks.
- Cons: May require more time to manage and vet individual freelancers.
I started as a freelancer writer and marketing manager for early-stage startups. It’s tricky to hire freelancers if you don’t have an HR team. Hiring freelancers, however, is the best MVP if you want to start outsourcing. It allows you to find specialists efficiently without worrying about full-time compensation and employee benefits.
Digital Marketing Agencies
- Pros: Offer comprehensive services and a digital marketing team of experts, which can ensure consistency and quality.
- Cons: Typically more expensive than hiring freelancers and may require long-term contracts.
Working with agencies is your best bet if you want a hands-off approach as a founder.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Companies:
- Pros: These companies specialize in handling various business functions, including digital marketing. They offer scalability and a broad range of services.
- Cons: May involve more complex contracts and higher costs compared to freelancers.
This solution is usually for corporate companies looking to outsource a large part of their operation to the Philippines. For example, many financial institutions like HSBC and Paypal have offices in the Philippines in charge of customer service.
Types of Digital Marketing Tasks You Can Outsource
Outsourcing digital marketing tasks can range from specific projects to comprehensive campaigns. Here are some common tasks you can outsource:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Improving your website’s visibility on search engines through keyword optimization, content creation, and backlink strategies.
- Content Marketing: Creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to attract and engage your target audience.
- Social Media Management: Managing your social media profiles, creating posts, and engaging with your audience.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Managing paid advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and social media.
- Email Marketing: Designing and executing email campaigns to nurture leads and engage customers.
- Analytics and Reporting: Monitoring and analyzing your marketing performance to make data-driven decisions.
- Social Media Marketing: Creating and distributing engaging content on social media platforms to build brand awareness and drive engagement.
- Email Marketing: Designing and executing email campaigns to nurture leads and engage customers.
While there are many more tasks that can be outsourced, the ones listed above are among the most common and impactful. By focusing on these essential areas, you can significantly enhance your digital marketing efforts and achieve better results.
For example, we work with an AI startup from Australia. They outsource blog content creation, Twitter management, and building backlinks to our team. They have an in-house fractional CMO that manages our team.
How Much Does It Cost to Outsource Digital Marketing in the Philippines?
The cost of outsourcing digital marketing in the Philippines can vary based on the complexity of the tasks and the level of expertise required. However, the cost is generally more affordable than hiring local talent in the US. Here’s a rough estimate of the costs:
- SEO Services: $500 – $2,000 per month
- Content Creation: $50 – $150 per article
- Social Media Management: $300 – $1,000 per month
- PPC Management: $500 – $1,500 per month
- Email Marketing: $200 – $800 per month
These costs can vary depending on the agency or freelancer’s experience, the scope of work, and your business’s specific requirements.
Where to Hire Digital Marketing Specialists in the Philippines
There are several platforms where you can find skilled digital marketers in the Philippines:
- Freelance Websites: Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and OnlineJobs.ph offer a wide range of freelancers with diverse skills.
- Outsourcing Agencies: There are numerous agencies in the Philippines specializing in digital marketing services. These agencies can provide a dedicated team to handle your marketing needs.
- Job Portals: Websites like JobStreet and Kalibrr allow you to post job listings and find qualified candidates.
Another option is to consider our fractional marketing services. These services allow you to access a top-tier team (instead of individual freelancers) on a part-time basis, providing the expertise you need without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Fractional marketing services are ideal for startups that require strategic guidance and execution but may not have the budget for a full in-house marketing team. Book a call with our team, so you can learn if this is the right strategy for you.
Pros and Cons of Outsourcing
Outsourcing digital marketing to the Philippines comes with its own set of advantages and challenges:
Pros:
- Cost-Effective: Lower labor costs compared to Western countries.
- Access to Talent: A large pool of skilled digital marketers.
- Scalability: Easily scale your marketing efforts based on your business needs.
- Focus on Core Activities: Allows you to focus on your core business functions.
Cons:
- Communication Barriers: Potential challenges in communication due to time zone differences and language nuances.
- Quality Control: Ensuring consistent quality can be challenging when working with external teams.
- Dependency: Relying on external partners for critical marketing tasks.
The key is knowing what to outsource and what to keep in-house. It’s also finding the right freelancers and agencies who understand your product and target audience.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, outsourcing digital marketing to the Philippines can be a strategic move for businesses looking to optimize costs and leverage specialized skills. By understanding the types of tasks you can outsource, the associated costs, and the best places to find talent, you can effectively integrate outsourced digital marketing into your overall strategy.
