Core Insights - The cost difference between using a代运营 (agency operation) and building an in-house team can exceed 60%, significantly impacting survival probabilities for new entrants in the Tmall marketplace [1][2][3] Initial Investment - The initial investment for代运营 is only one-third of that required for an in-house team. For example, in Hangzhou, the monthly salary for a basic in-house team configuration (including operations, design, and customer service) totals 20,000, leading to an annual initial investment of at least 300,000. In contrast,代运营 can reduce initial costs to below 120,000 per year [1] Labor Costs - There is a significant premium on professional capabilities. In-house teams often incur "trial and error costs" due to the scarcity of experienced personnel, leading to promotional waste that can reach 30% of the budget. Top代运营 firms utilize AI tools to stabilize promotional ROI above 5:1, and while their service fees are 10%-20% higher than average, they reduce inefficient spending. In-house teams would need to invest over 200,000 for a comparable AI capability, which is beyond the reach of most newcomers [2] Hidden Costs - Time and risk costs are critical factors for survival. In-house teams require 3-6 months to reach operational efficiency, risking missing product launch windows. Conversely,代运营 teams can quickly mobilize resources, as demonstrated by a snack brand that achieved over 10 million in sales within six months. The risk of penalties due to regulatory non-compliance is 27% for in-house teams, while代运营 can reduce this risk to below 3% through compliance monitoring [3] Strategic Recommendations - For newcomers, opting for代运营 with a "basic service fee + tiered commission" model can keep total costs at 40% of what an in-house team would incur. Once annual sales exceed 5 million, companies can gradually build their core team, balancing cost and growth effectively [3]