In-House is Different

Maximize the strengths of in-house teams by understanding how they differ from agencies.

Agencies have built-in cost boundaries: large requests and endless revisions quickly add up. But your in-house team’s time isn’t infinite. In-house teams have their own limits, too. Boundaries and clear priorities can help maximize their effectiveness.

Agencies are often hired for specialized skills. Not all designers write or edit text, develop animations, game social algorithms, experiment with holograms, or render in 3D. Marketing and design are diverse fields with a wide array of specialties; no one person does it all. Expecting a single designer to master everything is like expecting a third-grade teacher to teach high school film. While some may have overlapping skills, it’s not a given. Unless your in-house team is as large as a full-service agency, there will be skill gaps.

However, in-house teams have unique advantages. No agency will know your brand as intimately or understand its core identity as well as your in-house team. When everything is working well, an in-house team can be more efficient, more cohesive, and better aligned with your brand’s true vision.

The Process:Deep Listening guides new Alignments

Our roles may be different, but we can still all start on the same page.

For administrators and marketers alike, a well-aligned in-house team can create powerful synergies within the school. With a deep understanding of your school’s culture, goals, and brand, in-house teams are uniquely positioned to ensure consistent, authentic messaging and responsive, collaborative outreach.

While each situation and set of needs is unique, the basic process typically follows these steps:

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Phase 1 – Introductory Research

In a few initial calls, meetings, and a review of existing materials, School ID will conduct a preliminary assessment of your school’s in-house setup and current practices.

Phase 2 – Deep Listening

Based on the findings from Phase 1, School ID will conduct interviews with key marketing staff and their supervisors. Then, everyone will come together for a short, customized workshop designed to foster alignment and shared understanding.

Phase 3 – In-Depth Report

After gathering insights, School ID will prepare a detailed report to identify key pain points, outline potential solutions, and highlight existing synergies that could be strengthened.

The report can be presented in person or provided as a whitepaper. School ID will review the draft with your team for feedback before delivering the final presentation.