The holidays are all about giving, and this year, I’ve got a gift for you: us!

I know what you’re thinking: “This isn’t really a gift. It’s a con!” But hear me out. If you’re like me, the holidays are crazy. Not just with family stuff, but with piles and piles of end-of-the-year tasks that have to be completed before people disappear for the holidays. It’s by far our busiest time of the year and it probably is for you, too.

It’s also a good time to reflect on the things that are making your life and job harder and to think about solutions for eliminating them in the new year. As Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Suffice it to say, partnering with a great agency is one way to get the results you want and avoid going insane (not a bad benefit!). Think of it as self-care. “Self-care!” you scream taking nine gulps of your glass of wine. “No one has time for that!” But that’s the nice thing about partnering with an agency—this kind of self-care will actually pay you back with more time and more headspace.

Here are three signs you might be ready for a marketing partner.

You’re Too Busy

You’ve got big ideas, and that’s the problem! Big ideas take big time but who has time for big stuff when with so much little stuff piling up. Many in-house teams find themselves facing a load that never lightens. When working 40 hours a week doesn’t make a dent in your to-do list, it’s time to think about a partner who can help lighten the load. Whether it’s a big project like an annual report or lots of little projects like the monthly student profiles you’re supposed to write, a good partner is a great way to clear your plate for those things you really want to focus on.

Good agencies take your task and guidance and work independently until they’re done. This means you not only get to take something off your plate, but you also don’t have to worry about micromanaging an external team. That’s what you’re paying them for. They check in and give you progress reports, but don’t inundate you with emails and questions they can answer themselves.

Agencies are a great way to help you get back to those big ideas and doing what matters to you.

You Need More Expertise

Let’s be honest, as good as you are, it’s hard to be an expert at everything. Research, writing, creative thinking, are my jam. Recoloring a shadowy headshot or sifting through Google analytics reports are not…but the nice thing about working at an agency, is that they don’t have to be. I have the resources of my colleagues at my fingertips, and I know how to use their knowledge to make me look good (I’m kinda kidding but not really 😉 ).

My point is, I know where my expertise ends, and knowing that actually makes me smarter. I know when I need help and I know that by seeking the help of experts, my outcomes will be much better than if I just muddled through it on my own.

The nice thing about finding a full-service agency partner, is that you’re not just hiring one expert—you’re actually hiring the collective experience and expertise that an agency brings to the table. For example, Graduate has several former college PIOs on staff (including our fearless leader), an award-winning writer, an expert web development exec, Spanish-speaking videographers, experienced media buyers, talented graphic designers, and many others whose expertise I can call on when I need it. This is what a great agency partner provides (and they should make you look good, too!)

You Want Better Results

You are overwhelmed. And when you’re overwhelmed, there simply isn’t the time to do great work. This doesn’t mean you suck, it means you’re a real person and you’ve got too much to do. The worst part is seeing things are underperforming but not having the time to fix them.

I think it important to point out that being successful doesn’t come without a fair share of failure. You should expect things to not work especially if you’re pushing the envelope and taking creatives risks. The trick is identifying what isn’t working and figuring out how to fix it. That’s how we learn and how we get better at what we do. But as a manager of a small or large department, while identifying issues is hard, finding the time to fix them can be harder. I understand that.

Whether it’s a social media campaign that isn’t gaining traction or new collateral that just feels flat, the best agencies bring fresh eyes, great ideas, and a team of experts, all of which they will leverage to help you address lagging performance or flat creative.

Keep in mind, the best agencies aren’t there to take your credit. They’re there to help you get credit for your successes by helping you achieve what it is you want to achieve.

This holiday season, my advice is to take a second for career self-care—identify what is making your job harder and ask yourself if an agency partner would make it easier.

Also, drink wine, eat chocolate, and get a massage!

3 Signs You’re Ready to Partner with an Agency

More on this topic: