Dear BAMf Podcast: Episode 21 with Ronda Scott

Dear BAMf // Episode 21: Ronda Scott of General Catalyst gives young startups advice for determining when it's time to either hire internally or hire an agency. 

In this week's episode of the Dear BAMf podcast, we speak with Ronda Scott, Marketing Partner at General Catalyst. Ronda has public relations experience both in-house and agency-side — from small brands and startups, to Fortune 500 companies and internationally recognized IP. In this episode, Ronda gives guidance to common startup & PR questions for our listeners, like this one about how to get started working with outside agencies: 

Dear BAMf,

When do you recommend startups to consider taking on any external help from other agencies? I've worked with several agencies over the last 10 years of my career. And now I'm a one-woman-band at a Series A-funded company that is deeply B2B focused and mostly filled with dev and engineer types. Is there a checklist or something I could present or use? I'm struggling because I've always been at places that already had working relationships with other external resources.

Listen now to hear how Ronda advises this writer to move forward.

Dear BAMf: Episode 21

Episode 21 highlights:

• (01:32) How do you asses the marketing needs of a startup that recently received funding? A great practice is to find out which stage of funding the company is at AND how much. This will be a determining factor in the next steps, having the product leader and your business leader walk you through their pitch deck. Take note of the CTD, the LTV, and the roadmap for the next 24 months and determine a budget. Understand the executives' marketing literacy and ask clarifying questions to assess the playing ground for communication. 
• (13:40) When thinking about whether or not to hire an outside agency, create a strategic plan by looking at your strengths and weakness. Determine which experts — either a new internal hire or an agency — can fill those voids tactically. To make this easier, create a list of priorities in the next 12–24 months and see what is feasible with time, finances, and the expertise on staff. Consolidate your list of priorities with your talent necessities in mind and make a strategic decision with your team. 
• (18:50) When thinking about how to consolidate resources, trust your expertise and remember that you were hired to make efficient choices. Define your company's needs and look internally for opportunities. Take pressure off of agency management responsibilities by delegating projects internally. This will consolidate external and redundant partnerships that have become a financial and workflow burden.

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