--- title: So Your Marketing Team is Shrinking... Now What? | Ambassador description: Whether it's the looming recession and economic instability, or just investors being spooked by the 'great tech correction' - marketers continue to be asked to do more with less people-power. Find out how to succeed in the face of a shrinking team. --- [Customer Engagement Blog: Tips for Success | Ambassador ](https://getambassador.com/blog) # [So Your Marketing Team is Shrinking... Now What? | Ambassador](https://getambassador.com/blog/so-your-marketing-team-is-shrinking-now-what) Written by [Team Ambassador](https://getambassador.com/blog/author/team-ambassador) | Jan 24, 2025 5:00:00 AM   > [   > >   > >   > > > > > >   > >   > > View this post on Instagram > > > >   > >   > >   > >   > > > >   > >   > > > >   > >   > >   > > > > > >   > >   > > > > ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnuxg57yrRf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > > > [A post shared by Tom Fishburne (@marketoonist)](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnuxg57yrRf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)   If you’re a marketer, you’ve likely seen your marketing team shrink. And, it’s likely been attributed to market uncertainty in the face of a recession, or, prompted by spooked investors watching the great tech correction happening with tens of thousands of people at leading tech firms being cut loose.  And whether or not a recession actually happens, the fact is, the size of your marketing team will always be subject to the following factors: ***Budget cuts:*** Companies may need to reduce their expenses during a recession, and marketing budgets are often one of the first areas to be cut. ***Reduced demand:***** **During a recession, consumer spending decreases, leading to reduced demand for products and services. This can result in companies reducing their marketing efforts to match the reduced demand. ***Decreased revenue:*** Companies may experience decreased revenue during a recession, which can lead to cuts in marketing staff in order to conserve resources and reduce expenses. ***Shift in priorities:*** Companies may need to focus their resources on core operations during a recession, leading to a reduction in marketing staff as non-essential functions are cut. ***Restructuring: ***Companies may need to restructure their operations during a recession in order to remain competitive and survive. This can result in a reduction in marketing staff as part of the restructuring process. That said, it’s important to note that while a recession can result in a reduction in marketing staff, [companies that continue to invest in marketing during a recession](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/07/20/why-you-need-to-market-more-in-a-recession/?sh=677e096966fa) may be better positioned to weather the downturn and emerge stronger on the other side. In fact, many marketers point to customer engagement and [referrals as key differentiators](https://getambassador.com/blog/recession-proof-your-business-with-referral-marketing#:~:text=Referral%20programs%20generate%20customers%20that,18%25%20less%20likely%20to%20churn.) in success during economic uncertainty. So, how do you continue to meet your marketing objectives with a smaller team? Start with these six steps:  1. ***Prioritize and focus on what’s most important:*** Identify the highest impact activities and concentrate your efforts there. 2. ***Utilize automation and technology:***** **Make use of marketing automation tools to streamline routine tasks and free up time for strategic work. 3. ***Leverage data-driven insights:*** Use data and analytics to inform your decision-making and prioritize activities based on what’s working best. 4. ***Collaborate with other teams:***** **Work closely with sales, customer success, and other departments to maximize cross-functional efforts and leverage their expertise. 5. ***Focus on customer engagement:*** Prioritize activities that directly engage with customers and build relationships, as they are likely to have the highest return on investment. 6. ***Outsource or contract support:*** Consider hiring contractors or outsourcing some tasks to free up time and resources for core activities. Another way to achieve this is by leveraging [managed services](https://getambassador.com/managed-services) as a fractional marketing team (pro tip: this service is offered by Ambassador).  [Fractional teams](https://www.a.team/mission/fractional-teams-layoff-proof-hiring) can provide businesses with access to specialized skills and expertise without the cost and commitment of a full-time hire. They can be especially useful for companies that have fluctuating workloads or need to manage costs effectively, as they allow for a flexible and scalable approach to need-based staffing, supporting the in-house marketing team. There are several benefits to using a fractional marketing team, including: ***Cost-effectiveness:*** Hiring fractional team members can be more cost-effective than hiring full-time employees, as you only pay for the services you need when you need them. ***Access to specialized skills: ***With a fractional marketing team, you can bring in experts with specific skills as needed, allowing you to take advantage of specialized knowledge and experience. ***Increased flexibility: ***With a fractional team, you can scale up or down your marketing efforts as needed, providing greater flexibility for your business. ***Improved efficiency:*** Fractional team members often bring a fresh perspective and can help identify areas for improvement, leading to more efficient processes and better results. ***Reduced overhead:*** By using a fractional marketing team, you can reduce overhead costs associated with hiring and training full-time employees. ***More time for strategy:*** By outsourcing routine tasks to a fractional marketing team, you can free up time for your in-house marketing team to focus on high-level strategy and creative work. Learn more about [Ambassador Managed Services](https://getambassador.com/managed-services), and how you can grow more, even with less. 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