# The Math Behind Training Your Team vs. Paying a Marketing Retainer

> Neither option is right for everyone. Compare yearly retainer cost, the cost of training an employee, the hours that employee has, and which tasks you want to own. Many companies mix both. Digital Marketing Coach Chris Heidlebaugh runs agencies and trains in-house teams, so he helps owners pick the mix that fits their numbers.

Source: https://digitalmarketingcoach.com/learn/hub/train-team-vs-marketing-retainer-math
Author: Chris Heidlebaugh, Digital Marketing Coach
Updated: 2026-11-01

Who this is for: Owners deciding whether to train an employee, keep a provider, or do both.

## Quick checks
- Your yearly marketing retainer cost
- How many hours an employee could give each week
- Which tasks you want to own in-house

## Add up the yearly numbers
- Multiply the monthly retainer by 12.
- Add the one-time training cost and the employee's hours.
- Use your real numbers, not someone else's averages.

## Split the work
- Routine tasks (reviews, photos, posts) suit in-house teams.
- Specialist work (websites, ads, technical SEO) may suit a provider.
- Many companies keep a provider and train staff to manage them.

## Value ownership
- A trained employee keeps the know-how inside your company.
- You still own the accounts either way.
- Review the mix once a year.

## Compare with your own numbers
| Question | Retainer | Trained team |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly cost | Monthly fee × 12 | Training + employee hours |
| Know-how stays | With the provider | Inside your company |
| Best for | Specialist work | Routine weekly work |

## FAQ
### Is it cheaper to train an employee to do marketing?
It depends on your retainer, the employee's time and which tasks you need. Compare yearly numbers with your own figures.

### Can I keep my marketing company and train my team?
Yes. Many companies train staff for routine work and to manage their provider while keeping specialists for bigger projects.