There are three ways small businesses typically handle marketing.
Only one makes sense for most companies under $2M in revenue.
Feature / Reality
Alex
Marketing Agency
In-House Employee
Monthly Cost
$247/month
$2,000–$6,000+ / month
$5,000–$8,000+ / month
Long-Term Contract
No
Yes (often 6–12 months)
N/A
Setup / Onboarding Time
Immediate
Weeks to months
Months
Availability
24/7
Business hours only
Business hours only
Speed of Answers
Instant
Days or weeks
Depends on experience
Years of Marketing Experience
20+ years (built-in)
Varies by account manager
Limited
Small Business Focus
Yes
Often split across many clients
Depends on hire
Asks Clarifying Questions
Yes
Sometimes
Sometimes
Explains Why Things Work
Yes
Rarely
Sometimes
Helps You Think Strategically
Yes
Depends
Depends
Risk of Turnover
None
Moderate
High
Learning Curve
None
Moderate
High
Scales With Your Business
$99/month
Usually costs more
$5,000–$8,000+ / month
Cancel Anytime
Yes
Rarely
Requires more hires
Monthly Cost
Alex
$247/month
Marketing Agency
$2,000–$6,000+ / month
In-House Employee
$5,000–$8,000+ / month
Long-Term Contract
Alex
No
Marketing Agency
Yes (often 6–12 months)
In-House Employee
N/A
What This Table Really Means
Agencies are expensive and slow for businesses that need fast answers
Employees are risky and costly when you don’t need full-time execution
Guessing is the most expensive option of all
Alex gives you the thinking behind great marketing—without paying for overhead you don’t need.
Cost Reality Check
Annual Cost Comparison
Option
Estimated Annual Cost
Alex
$2,247 / year
Marketing Agency
$24,000–$72,000+ / year
In-House Employee
$60,000–$90,000+ / year
For most small businesses, clarity—not execution—is the missing piece. Alex delivers that clarity on demand.
Cost Reality Check
Annual Cost Comparison
Estimated Annual Cost
Alex
$2,247 / year
Marketing Agency
$24,000–$72,000+ / year
In-House Employee
$60,000–$90,000+ / year
For most small businesses, clarity – not execution—is the missing piece. Alex delivers that clarity on demand.
Who Each Option Is Best For
Alex is best for you if:
You want clear marketing guidance without agency retainers
You want to understand your marketing before spending money
You need answers now – not in next month’s meeting
An Agency makes sense if:
You already understand marketing and just want execution
You’re comfortable with long contracts and higher spend
An Employee makes sense if:
You need daily hands-on execution
You’re ready for payroll, training, and management
Here’s the Bottom Line
If you’re a business under $2M in revenue,
Alex is the fastest, lowest-risk way to make better marketing decisions.
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