Done-for-You vs. Done-With-You Marketing: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Marketing your course shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. But for many first-time course creators, it often does.

Between writing emails, setting up landing pages, figuring out Kajabi, and actually selling your course, the workload can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever thought, "Should I try to do it all myself, or should I hire someone to take it off my plate?"—you’re not alone.

That’s where Done-for-You (DFY) and Done-With-You (DWY) marketing services come in. But which one is the right choice for you? And more importantly, which one will feel the most aligned with how you want to run your business?

This post will help you decide so you can move forward with confidence, knowing that your marketing approach fits your style, strengths, and goals.

What Is Done-for-You (DFY) Marketing?

Done-for-You marketing means you hand over your marketing tasks to an expert who manages the execution for you.

• A professional writes your email sequences
• Someone designs and builds your landing pages
• Tech is set up for you, including automations in Kajabi
• Your sales funnel is built and optimized by a specialist

This approach is hands-off, allowing you to focus on your expertise while knowing that your marketing is in capable hands.

Who Is DFY Marketing Best For?

• You feel completely overwhelmed by marketing and want someone else to handle it
• You have the budget to invest in high-level support
• You want faster results without spending months figuring out the details
• You prefer not to deal with the tech side of marketing

Potential Downsides of DFY Marketing

• Less control over the final outcome since someone else is handling the execution
• Higher cost due to the level of expertise and work involved
• Dependency on a professional unless you take steps to understand the process

What Is Done-With-You (DWY) Marketing?

Done-With-You marketing is a collaborative approach where you receive expert guidance while still being involved in the execution.

• A marketing coach or strategist teaches you the process
• You get hands-on support, but you are responsible for implementation
• You learn marketing skills that help you manage and refine your strategy long-term

Who Is DWY Marketing Best For?

• You want to stay involved in your marketing but need expert direction
• You prefer a structured, step-by-step approach
• You have a smaller budget but still want high-quality support
• You want more control over your brand’s messaging and execution

Potential Downsides of DWY Marketing

• Takes more time since you are responsible for implementation
• Requires a learning curve to understand marketing concepts
• Success depends on your effort—if you don’t apply what you learn, you won’t see results

Which One Should You Choose?

Both options can work, but the right choice depends on what fits your business, your workload, and your comfort level.

• If you feel completely overwhelmed, DFY might be the best choice
• If you want to stay hands-on and learn marketing, DWY is likely a better fit

Comparison at a Glance

The Most Important Factor: It Has to Feel Like You

Marketing your course should never feel like a burden. It should align with your strengths, your energy, and how you want to grow your business.

If you feel exhausted by marketing, handing things off with a Done-for-You approach might be the relief you need. If you want to be more involved in your messaging and execution, Done-With-You can give you the skills to manage it effectively.

No matter what you choose, the key is clarity—knowing exactly what steps to take so that marketing doesn’t feel overwhelming.